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France
Plan to combat swine flu in schools
Article published on the 2009-08-18 Latest update 2009-08-19 12:53 TU
Youths try to stay A(H1N1)-free at a French language-learning centre near Nice, 8 August, 2009.
(Photo: Reuters/Sébastien Nogier)
The French government announced on Tuesday its plan to contain the spread of swine flu in schools if there should be a major outbreak when the "Rentrée" begins in September. The government has ruled out postponing the autumn term.
It's being called officially an A(H1N1) information and prevention plan for schools. Some children may be disappointed to hear that the government decided against extending the summer holidays or a general schools shut-down.
The new school year begins in France in two weeks time, in the first week of September.
An awareness campaign is to target parents and teachers as well as auxiliary school staff. Schools which register more than three cases in a week in one class or in classes which share activities will be closed.
The closure could extend to whole schools or even several schools in a given area.
If that happens, a national distance-learning programme which is already operational would be broadcast via TV or radio will be activated.
Parents will have to make their own arrangements for looking after children whose class or school is closed. He said this situation is not really unprecedented, that for example, there have been epidemics of gastro-enteritis which have led to similar situations.
"We must avoid banalising the prospects of contagion as that would help the virus propogate. We must avoid dramatising the situation so as not to worry families unnecessarily." said Luc Chatel, Minister of Education.
France has so far 691 confirmed cases. There are a further 367 or so probable cases (as of 11 August). So far one person has died, and was suffering from other serious health conditions.
The government has been sollicited by teachers' unions and other school staff bodies, to provide more prevention information, clear and simple guidelines, especially for families of school children.
Among their concerns, the teachers mention the protocol to follow if a child of their own catches the virus, and also vaccination campaigns and school transport pick-ups.
At the end of July, Health Minister, Roselyne Bachelot had announced that people who had respiratory problems and health workers, would constitute a priority group for vaccination. She did not mention a country-wide vaccination scheme however.
France has ordered 94 million doses of vaccine at a cost of one billion euros. They are due for delivery between the beginning of October and the end of December.
