On behalf of the Halifax Regional School Board principal Derrick Carter, of Bedford South School, was asked to communicate the following information regarding the N1H1 virus, better known as the swine flu.

Similar newsletters were sent home to parents and guardians throughout HRM, and probably with the concern over the spread of the virus, newsletters much like this one were sent home with students throughout Nova Scotia, Canada, North America…

All school boards in Nova Scotia recently consulted with Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer for Nova Scotia, regarding the latest information about the virus.

Dr. Stang provided the following advice:

-Cases of the swine flu, outside of Mexico, are considered mild. At this point, there is no reason for schools to change their daily routine.

-There is no point for schools to cancel school trips, unless the trip is to Mexico.

-Schools should strongly reinforce good hygiene, especially hand washing, with students. This remains the most effective way to limit the spread of infectious diseases.

-People who have recently returned from Mexico, or will be returning in the near future, should go to work and school unless they are showing symptoms. There is no reason for students to remain at home if they do not have symptoms of illness.

-If people are ill, they should remain at home for at least seven days, or until the symptoms disappear, whichever is longer.