Sally Furniss
Well-known member
School trip off over flu worries
By JEFF NEEMS and BELINDA FEEK - Waikato Times Last updated 12:00 07/07/2009
A Hamilton school has pulled out of a soccer tournament in Japan over concerns about organisers' swine flu contingency plans.
Peachgrove Intermediate School principal Louisa Barham confirmed the school had withdrawn its team from a bi-annual football competition in Saitama this month because it was unsure if organisers had plans in place in the event of a swine flu outbreak.
Mrs Barham said the school regularly sent a team, but after discussions with the school board of trustees it was decided the team should be withdrawn.
"It wasn't anything to do with them telling us we couldn't come, it was our decision," she said. "The main concern was our inability to know what the procedures were over there. Our children were being billeted, as well as in a hostel, and we didn't have enough information on what the organising committee's plans were (in the event of an outbreak)."
While the children were disappointed they would not be attending, Mrs Barham said most parents understood why the team was withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Waikato police have also clamped down on large gatherings of officers due to the outbreak.
A powhiri was scheduled for yesterday's official welcoming of new recruits, but was replaced with a smaller ceremony at Hamilton Central Police Station.
"Normally we would have a powhiri," Inspector Paul Carpenter said, "but as you're aware there's a pandemic on and social gatherings is something we are very conscious of. We need to make sure we have staff healthy for a 24/7 response ... One of those ways is clamping down on some of the training meetings and gatherings that we have."
All non-essential training and activities have been reviewed and where feasible were suspended or put on hold. "In terms of operational activity there has been no impact with a comprehensive education package being provided to staff on risk mitigation."
Meanwhile, the father of Zachary Wilson, the Hamilton teenager who was one of New Zealand's first three swine flu-related deaths, has been cleared of the H1N1 virus after a week in quarantine in Mr Wilson's Hamilton flat.
Mr Wilson's mother, who did not want to be named, said since her son's picture appeared in media over the weekend, many of his friends contacted her to offer support. She encouraged young people to seek help from the free Healthline (0800 611 116) or a GP.
Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said there had been no swine flu-related admissions to Waikato Hospital.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/2571065/School-trip-off-over-flu-worries
By JEFF NEEMS and BELINDA FEEK - Waikato Times Last updated 12:00 07/07/2009
A Hamilton school has pulled out of a soccer tournament in Japan over concerns about organisers' swine flu contingency plans.
Peachgrove Intermediate School principal Louisa Barham confirmed the school had withdrawn its team from a bi-annual football competition in Saitama this month because it was unsure if organisers had plans in place in the event of a swine flu outbreak.
Mrs Barham said the school regularly sent a team, but after discussions with the school board of trustees it was decided the team should be withdrawn.
"It wasn't anything to do with them telling us we couldn't come, it was our decision," she said. "The main concern was our inability to know what the procedures were over there. Our children were being billeted, as well as in a hostel, and we didn't have enough information on what the organising committee's plans were (in the event of an outbreak)."
While the children were disappointed they would not be attending, Mrs Barham said most parents understood why the team was withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Waikato police have also clamped down on large gatherings of officers due to the outbreak.
A powhiri was scheduled for yesterday's official welcoming of new recruits, but was replaced with a smaller ceremony at Hamilton Central Police Station.
"Normally we would have a powhiri," Inspector Paul Carpenter said, "but as you're aware there's a pandemic on and social gatherings is something we are very conscious of. We need to make sure we have staff healthy for a 24/7 response ... One of those ways is clamping down on some of the training meetings and gatherings that we have."
All non-essential training and activities have been reviewed and where feasible were suspended or put on hold. "In terms of operational activity there has been no impact with a comprehensive education package being provided to staff on risk mitigation."
Meanwhile, the father of Zachary Wilson, the Hamilton teenager who was one of New Zealand's first three swine flu-related deaths, has been cleared of the H1N1 virus after a week in quarantine in Mr Wilson's Hamilton flat.
Mr Wilson's mother, who did not want to be named, said since her son's picture appeared in media over the weekend, many of his friends contacted her to offer support. She encouraged young people to seek help from the free Healthline (0800 611 116) or a GP.
Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said there had been no swine flu-related admissions to Waikato Hospital.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/2571065/School-trip-off-over-flu-worries