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.. Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
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SUBJECT: H1N1

I write specifically to mention the rapidly increasing confirmed cases of the

H1N1 influenza virus which is spreading in Bangkok at the present time. We also
have a number of cases confirmed at NIST. While the majority of affected
persons have only mild illness, WHO nevertheless considers this pandemic
‘moderate’ in severity. It is therefore important that we do everything we can to
sustain a clean environment and good hygiene at our school which will limit the
possibility of the virus spreading. This requires a high level of cooperation
among the NIST staff, parents and the students themselves.

Places where large numbers of people gather in close proximity such as schools,
shopping centres, aeroplanes and theatres are likely places where viruses will
spread quickly and easily. Therefore, we need to take every precaution possible
to minimize this chance within our community. It is essential that all parents
support our efforts in this regard. I have attached some important documents
for you to read. These are provided by the World Health Organization, the
US-Centres for Diseases Control, and the Thailand Ministry of Public Health.

While in rare instances previously healthy children (mainly teenagers) and

adults have become severely ill, available evidence shows that those most
vulnerable to severe illness have underlying health conditions such as heart
conditions, lung conditions (e.g. asthma), diabetes, obesity, and cancer, as
well as persons whose immune system is suppressed for whatever reason.
Pregnancy is also a risk factor for more severe illness. Persons with such
conditions should seek immediate care if they have symptoms.

In summary:

• Please monitor your children closely. If they start showing flu-like

symptoms, e.g. at least one of the following: fever, cough, headache,
body aches, sore throat, runny nose or stomach problems (e.g. vomiting
or diarrhoea), the child should NOT come to school.

• Please consult immediately your medical doctor to determine whether

the child should remain at home or be taken to a clinic or hospital
(preferably wearing a mask if the child can support it) for evaluation and
care.

• Urgent medical care should be sought for a child showing any of these
signs:
o Prolonged fever (e.g. more than 2 days)
o Fast breathing
o Dehydration, convulsions, excessive drowsiness, exhaustion

Children with influenza should not return to school for a period of 7 days
since the start of symptoms or 24 hours AFTER the symptoms have
cleared – whichever is longer.
 • Sick persons should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use pain
reliever/fever medication for aches/fever such as paracetemol. Aspirin
or products containing aspirin (such as Pepto-Bismol) should NOT
be used for children and young adults to avoid the risk of contracting the
potentially deadly Reyes Disease (which can occur with aspirin).

• Please immediately inform the NIST Medical Centre if your child is ill so
that we can keep accurate records;

• If flu-like symptoms are noticed at NIST by teachers, your child will be

sent to the NIST Medical Centre. The NIST medical staff will contact you,
provide your child with a face mask to prevent further spread of the
virus, and ask you to collect your child from the School immediately. It is
essential that your child is collected as quickly as possible. Your child will
be isolated until you or your driver arrives to collect him/her;

• We are strongly encouraging all students to continue to adopt good

hygiene practices by following these simple steps:

Wash your hands regularly with soap;

Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

(preferably with a tissue or your sleeve – not your hands);
dispose of the tissue and wash your hands afterwards;

Minimize close contact with people if you have influenza.

The Thailand Health Authorities believe that if the above practices are adhered
to then there is no need to close sections of the School or the School as a
whole. If the virus were to become widespread within the School, then the
School would meet and discuss the matter with the Thailand Health Authorities.

We are doing everything that we can at NIST to minimise the spread of the virus
and our priority is to continually evaluate any perceived risks to students and the
general community. We have placed signs throughout the campus encouraging
our community to frequently wash their hands with soap and to minimise
contact with others when feeling unwell. Alcohol Hand Gel is located at many
points throughout the School so that students and staff may have ready access
to hand disinfection. Classrooms with sinks have ready supplies of soap. The
cleaning staff have been instructed in additional cleaning tasks and methods to
further minimise the risk of transferring the virus.

If we are all vigilant in regard to our own health and each other’s health and
we are sensible and take appropriate precautions then we should be able
to ensure that NIST can continue to operate in a healthy environment.

Thank you very much for your support with this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Leslie
Headmaster NIST 25thAugust 2010