GREAT BAY, – On Wednesday morning at the Sundial school Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson presented Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus bookmarks to Sundial school students and faculty.
The 5000 bookmarks which are part of the Government Information Service (GIS) public awareness campaign, contains preventive information on what measures should be taken to prevent the spread of Pandemic H1N1 influenza. The bookmarks will be distributed to all secondary schools.
During the presentation, students thanked Commissioner Richardson on behalf of the schools student body for the bookmarks. Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson told the students that they should pay keen attention to the preventive messages and to inform their friends about the information on the H1N1 bookmarks.
Sundial Principal Mireille Regales-Peterson reminded students that they should walk with the bookmarks all the time and to remember the most important points such as good hygiene.
Preventive Health Department (PHD) Head Maria Henry appealed to students to share the preventive message with other students and family and to keep St. Maarten safe against the Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.
PHD has provided all principals from primary and secondary schools, as well as day care centres with a package of information on how to prevent the spread of Pandemic H1N1 Virus.
The information package included brochures, posters and a booklet.
Preventing the spread of germs is the most single most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.
Children should know to wash their hands frequently with soap and water; cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of your elbow/sleeve; dispose of used tissue paper in the trash properly; stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
The symptoms for children with Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) virus are similar to that of adults. The symptoms include high fever, a runny nose, cough, sore throat and body aches. At times these can be accompanies by, diarrhoea, breathlessness and dizziness.
Persons seeking additional information should contact PHD at telephone numbers: 542-3003 or 542-3553 or visit the following websites: www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.who.int. for more information on Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) virus also referred to as swine flu.
