Department advice needed for schools on flu outbreak

Issued : Friday 5 January, 2018

As schools across the country prepare to re-open next week following the Christmas break, Labour Party spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has said that the Departments of Health and Education need to immediately issue clear advice on the flu outbreak so that it is comprehensively circulated over the weekend.

Deputy Kelly said:

“With schools due to re-open across the country next week, there is understandably concern among parents that their children may be at increased risk of catching the flu.

“As children up to the age of 15 are considered to be at risk from the so-called ‘Aussie flu’ that we have been seeing in Ireland this winter- it is vital that the warnings of doctors and medical experts are heeded, and children showing symptoms of flu are kept home from school.

“We have heard warnings from the Clinical Director at Temple Street Children’s Hospital that the current virus has not yet peaked, who has also expressed concern that a flu outbreak could occur when schools re-open.

“Parents should be advised on what to look out for, and the Departments of Health and Education need to issue clear advice on this issue immediately so that it is comprehensively circulated over the weekend.

“Parents need peace of mind that their children won’t be exposed to the risk of catching the flu from other children who may be showing signs of the virus.

“The health service is already stretched to capacity at the moment with several hundred people waiting for a hospital bed, and every effort must be made before schools re-open next week to prevent further pressure being piled on the system."