Get kids clued-up on bird flu

[Snowy Owl]

Get kids clued-up on bird flu. says local councillor

LOCAL councillor Vicky Davidson wants school pupils across the Borders to be given guidance on bird flu writes Bob Burgess

She says youngsters should be told about the dangers of handling sick birds and has asked Scottish Borders Council education director Glenn Rodgers to issue guidance notes prepared by the Scottish Executive.

The councillor told The Wee Paper: "I remember as a child growing up in the countryside how often we would try to help pigeons or wild birds that seemed to be in distress. It was instinctive to try and help.

"But Avian Flu has changed the picture and it is important that our children know what to do and what not to do.

"Particularly now that birds are arriving back for the nesting season."
The Executive's advice, which has been backed by the RSPB, tells people not to handle sick or dead birds and to wash properly if a bird has been touched.

Councillor Davidson added: "Animal health advisers seem to believe it is only a matter of time before Avian Flu arrives in Britain. But they stress it is only through handling that there is any danger to human health.

"It seems a sensible precaution as well as a piece of useful education to have guidance sent round our schools at this time of year."

The Executive is urging people to report incidents of dead swans, duck and geese, as well more than three dead birds of the same species or five birds of different types in the same place.

27 March 2006

http://www.selkirktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=966&ArticleID=1398424

 

[Lyro]

Scotland - Lesson: How to blow your nose

Scotland - Lesson: How to blow your nose

NOW CLASS... OUR LESSON IS HOW TO BLOW YOUR NOSE
By Andrew Denholm, Education Correspondent
July 11, 2006 (The Herald)

It's not to be sneezed at. Parents of nursery and primary pupils across Scotland are to be advised how to teach their children how to blow their nose properly as part of measures to combat a predicted flu pandemic.

A new leaflet jointly published on the websites of NHS Scotland and the Scottish Executive includes advice on the use of tissues and washing hands, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicted a major outbreak of influenza, which occurs every few decades.

The leaflet tells parents to encourage their children to wash their hands using
soap and water and to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. Families are also advised to teach children to use a paper tissue when coughing or sneezing and to throw it away quickly into bins.

"There are limitations in the degree to which very young children can be responsible for hygiene, but generally these simple actions are the sort of things that every child should do, even in ordinary times. They will also help to slow the spread of a pandemic," the leaflet says.

Parents are also advised to keep their children off school if they show any signs of a flu-like illness and are told to update their contact details with nurseries and primaries so they can be contacted quickly if pupils fall ill at school.

"Help your child's childminder, nursery, playgroup and school by making sure they have up-to-date contact details for you. They will want to pass on advice when a pandemic is on its way and after it arrives."

An executive spokeswoman said the advice was part of wider planning to reduce the risk of a flu pandemic in line with WHO advice and was not a reaction to any signs of a flu-like illness and are told to update their contact details with nurseries and primaries so they can be contacted quickly if pupils fall ill at school.

"Help your child's childminder, nursery, playgroup and school by making sure they have up-to-date contact details for you. They will want to pass on advice when a pandemic is on its way and after it arrives."

An executive spokeswoman said the advice was part of wider planning to reduce the risk of a flu pandemic in line with WHO advice and was not a reaction to any greater risk.

"This is part of co-ordinated efforts to encourage sensible planning across all sectors in event of a flu pandemic. All organisations have to plan ahead in the event of a pandemic," she said.

Pandemic flu is a type of influenza that occurs every few decades and which spreads rapidly to affect most countries and regions around the world. The symptoms are similar to those of ordinary flu, but are usually more severe.

Source: http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/65643.html