About 30 students from Nhulunbuy High School with influenza-like illness have been absent from school this week. This accounts for about 10 per cent of the school's students. Two students and a staff member have been diagnosed with H1N1 influenza 09 infection in the past several days.
The Department of Health and Families Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has been providing advice to the school on the management of influenza, including the need to remind students and their families about the importance of preventative measures.
The school has contacted parents to remind them of this advice and urge them to keep children who appear unwell at home until they have recovered. The CDC is liaising with all three schools in Gove to inform staff and parents of the situation, to offer flu management advice and to remind them to keep sick children at home.
"None of the students have been seriously unwell and there is no one in Gove District Hospital because of influenza at the moment," said Public Health Physician, Dr Steven Skov.
"While it is not known whether H1N1 is the cause of all of this illness, swine flu has been the most common type of influenza circulating in the general community in recent months. The number of influenza cases in the NT is much less than earlier in the year, but both the seasonal flu and H1N1 are still around. This is the time of year when seasonal influenza usually increases," Dr Skov added.
H1N1 is a mild illness in the great majority of cases, but like all influenza, it can cause serious illness in a small proportion of people. At particular risk are pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions.
"We need to reinforce the message for all Territorians to be careful with their coughing and sneezing and to wash their hands frequently.
"If people are unwell with flu-like illnesses they should not go to work or school, but remain at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and use fever medication such as paracetamol if needed.
"Anyone with influenza symptoms who feels significantly unwell, or is pregnant or has underlying health conditions, should consult a Doctor. Anti-influenza medication is still available for those in need of it. For those who are not sick, it is still a good idea to get a seasonal flu vaccination," Dr Skov said.
Release date: 17 September 2009