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Schools cautious of absentees amid flu fears

By Lan Tian (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-05-15 20:41

Teachers will investigate the absence of any student from class after two confirmed cases of A(H1N1) influenza on the mainland in the past week.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) told schools to check the attendance of students and teachers every morning and investigate the reason for any absence, the MOE said in a notification released on Thursday.

Schools have been told to report to the local disease control center and notify the education department within two hours of any student showing flu-like symptoms.

Full Coverage:  A(H1N1) Influenza Outbreak Related readings:  H1N1 flu positive patients recovering  WHO meets on production of swine flu vaccine  H1N1 flu cases rise but not to pandemic level  2nd A(H1N1) case confirmed in HK  Girlfriend of China's 2nd H1N1 patient quarantined

MOE has also strengthened preventative measures in boarding schools, especially those in rural areas, and advised students with flu-like symptoms to go to hospital and take medical observation if necessary.

All schools were told to teach health education to students.

The measures were aimed at protecting the health and safety of students and teachers, the MOE said.

Meanwhile, provinces and municipalities have also stepped up control and prevention measures.

The Beijing municipal public health bureau suggested any citizen whose temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius and who has fever or cough, should go to hospital immediately.

The city has set up infectious disease units in 96 hospitals and has designated 38 laboratories to conduct A(H1N1) virus detection.

Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control has registered local residents who returned from flu-affected countries in North America in the last seven days.