News Release                            For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                     August 12, 2009

Health Unit and Schools Preparing for Fall Flu Season

It will be a ‘different’ flu season this year as the Grey Bruce Health Unit and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care prepare for the 2009/10 flu season.

Directors of the Bluewater District and the Bruce Grey Catholic District Schools met with Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn and key Health Unit staff, August 11, to strategize how things will be managed this fall within Grey and Bruce County schools.

“Our goal is to work together and be as prepared as possible for what ever this flu season brings our way.” stated Susan Shular, manger of the Infectious Diseases Program.

One of the major areas of focus will be an accurate surveillance of illness and the resulting absenteeism in the schools. Parents will be asked if their child’s absence from school is due to flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat) or gastro-intestinal (vomiting, diarrhea) or other. This information is very useful in the early detection of outbreaks before they reach their potential peak level. Outbreaks in the school often precede larger community-based outbreaks.

“We appreciate the partnerships between the school boards and the Health Unit to work together to protect the health of our community.” says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn.

The Health Unit will be working with the school boards to provide timely and accurate information to families through school newsletters, take-home flyers, etc.

As well, the Health Unit has set up a H1N1 section on their website at: www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

New information and resources will be posted as they become available.

-30-

For more information:

Dr. Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext 1269