UAE links H1N1 portal with that of education ministry

The Ministry of Health's H1N1 flu portal was e-linked with the website of the Ministry of Education, a senior health official said on Friday.

Dr Ali Bin Shukar, Director of the Ministry of Health, said : "The latest move is complementing efforts taken by the ministry to provide updated, on time information about the disease in a way that employees of the Ministry of Education and educational institutions can access the database as well as measures the Ministry of Health is taking.

"The portal will also track updates issued by the World Health Organisation," he added.

On Friday, the World Health Organisation issued advice on measures that can be undertaken in schools to reduce the impact of the H1N1 influenza pandemic, according to the WAM newswire.

WHO recommends that students, teachers, and other staff who feel unwell should stay home. Plans should be in place, and space made available, to isolate students and staff who become ill while at school.

Schools should promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and be stocked with appropriate supplies. Proper cleaning and ventilation and measures to reduce crowding are also advised, WHO said on its website.

It also said that the main health benefit of proactive school closure comes from slowing down the spread of an outbreak within a given area and thus flattening the peak of infections.
   

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