Second Note to Parents/Guardians on Influenza A (H1N1)

Dear Parents/Guardians

MOH announced on Wed 6 May 2009 that it is preparing for a progressive step-down of the Disease Outbreak Response System Alert (DORSCON) status from Orange to Yellow by Mon 11 May 2009, if the situation remains status quo.

The alert status was adjusted as the new strain of Influenza A (H1N1 2009) seems milder than what experts had originally feared and appears to be more like seasonal flu.

As Singapore makes the progressive transition to a Yellow alert status, some measures that were previously put in place in our schools have been lifted from Thurs 7 May 2009. These include daily temperature-taking and screening for visitors to schools for temperature, flu-like symptoms and travel history.

While these measures have been lifted, our schools will remain vigilant in monitoring the well-being of their staff and students. MOE has advised schools to continue to review their travel plans, particularly to affected areas. We will also continue to teach and remind our students to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, such as proper hand-washing and cough etiquette.

In addition, as part of measures to maintain schools’ preparedness to resume the temperature-taking regime should there be a need to, our schools will be conducting a temperature-taking exercise once a week. Please continue to ensure that your child brings his/her personal Oral Digital Thermometer to school everyday.

We seek your cooperation to complement what your child’s school is doing to inculcate values of personal and social responsibility.

We will continue to keep you updated of new developments. More information on Influenza A (H1N1) can be found at Flu.gov.sg and the Ministry of Health website.

Please contact your child’s school if you need any clarification. The Principal and teachers will be happy to assist you.