Return-to-school flu surge 'likely'

Published on Sunday 16 August 2009 22:08

SCOTLAND is likely to see increased local outbreaks of swine flu as children return to school this week, experts have warned.

The spread of the disease, which has stabilised in Scotland since the beginning of July when schools closed for the summer, is likely to increase again.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon and education secretary Fiona Hyslop are today launching a national hand-washing campaign in primary schools and nurseries in a bid to hold back the spread of virus.

Children, who have been termed "super spreaders" of the virus, have been among the worst hit from the condition so far.

But health professionals and scientists have warned that new outbreaks are likely to occur, as young people together for long periods prove a fertile breeding ground for the virus.

"The expectation is that it will help the virus to spread when the schools reopen," said Professor Hugh Pennington, a microbiologist and emeritus professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University and president of the society of general microbiology.

"The virus has been attacking children in particular and any place where people are huddling together for long periods of time, such as schools, are likely to see increases in cases.

"It's impossible to make a prediction. The virus may not come back at all, but on the basis of previous pandemics, viruses tend to get a second wind when schools reopen."

The Scottish Government said that all schools in Scotland would be reopening after the summer break over the next fortnight.

It is believed that the period for closing schools in a bid to contain the virus is now over and that any further closures would be an "ineffective" measure.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Schools and early years facilities are expected to reopen this week as planned. The current incidence of flu in Scotland is relatively low and the virus is already circulating in the community in many areas, despite school and nursery closures last term.

"If a child or young person is diagnosed with suspected swine flu after the schools reopen, closure is not necessary. Children and young people with flu-like symptoms should be kept at home until they are better. Staff with flu-like symptoms should also stay off work."

The British Medical Association Scotland stressed that children had to be taught how to wash their hands properly to help minimise the spread of the infection.

A spokeswoman said: "Children are known as super spreaders and so we need to ensure that they follow hand hygiene procedures.

"It is more important that they are taught to wash their hands regularly and minimise the spread of infection."

During July, the incidence of swine flu in England and Wales, where the schools were still open, was much higher than in Scotland.

In mid-July, 73.4 in every 100,000 people visited their doctor with flu-like symptoms. The rate was highest among school children aged four to 15, at 159.57 per 100,000. In the same week in Scotland, only 25 in 100,000 experienced flu-like symptoms. And the number of affected children aged four to 15 went down to 13 per 100,000.

KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN

PRIMARY school children are set to be taught how to wash their hands properly at the start of the new term this week, but it is a lesson that many others should also learn.

Viruses can live on objects we touch, such as door knobs, for some time.

Top tips involve washing your hands after you use the toilet, before and after you eat, before and after you touch your eyes, nose or mouth, and before and after you prepare or handle meat. You should also wash your hands after touching pets.

Proper washing involves scrubbing hands for 15 to 30 seconds, ensuring the soap gets between the fingers and around the finger nails.