Swine Flu

Measures are still in place in QLD schools to exclude, for a seven-day period, school students from schools that are returning or arriving from the following overseas countries: Mexico, United States of America, Canada, Panama and Japan; or the Australian state of Victoria.

This list can be found on the Department of Health and Ageing website: www.healthemergency.gov.au and is reviewed regularly in light of the current situation.

In Queensland we are referring to this period as a seven-day timeout period.
The timeout period allows time for the illness to appear if the student has acquired the illness. The seven-day timeout period is only considered at this stage necessary for primary and secondary schools. This is because outbreaks overseas have only been reported in school settings to date.

If you have a child who has returned or is to return from one of the affected areas, could you please advise the school and ensure that your child remains at home for seven days even if they do not have symptoms.

The seven days includes weekends and public holidays. If your child becomes unwell, please seek immediate medical advice from your general practitioner.

This seven-day timeout period from school following travel in a country of concern will aid in slowing the spread of the disease and limit the possibility of school closure due to an outbreak in the school.