Delhi Government directs schools to issue swine flu advisory

New Delhi, Oct 19: Delhi Government has directed the heads of schools in the national capital to issue swine flu advisory and display public notices about the respiratory disease on their noticeboards.

"All heads of government, government-aided and unaided recognised schools are directed to display the message, enclosed as 'Public Notice', on noticeboards to enlighten students regarding the symptoms of swine flu and precautions to be taken," a circular issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) said.

"During morning assembly, children should be made aware of the 'dos and dont's' with respect to the H1N1 virus. They should be encouraged to practice personal hygiene. Lastly, children with flu symptoms should be advised to stay at home until they are completely cured," it added.

The circular also mandates the schools to display the lists of facilities, including hospitals and laboratories, where treatment for the H1N1 Influenza Virus is available.

"For students of Class I to VIII, competitions like slogan writing, poster making and debate etc may be organized at school-level to create awareness about the swine flu H1N1 and importance of hand washing," the circular further said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has decided to double the number of hospitals beds to step up preparedness against swine flu, which experts say will see a rise as temperature takes a dip.

Two people have succumbed to the disease in the national capital this season.

Swine flu had assumed epidemic proportions last season and continued till mid-April this year afflicting over 4,259 people and claiming 12 lives in the city.

PTI