Tuia te rangi e tū nei. Tuia te papa e takoto nei. Tuia tātou ngā whakarerenga iho o rātou mā.

Transcription

1 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau Tuia te rangi e tū nei. Tuia te papa e takoto nei. Tuia tātou ngā whakarerenga iho o rātou mā. Whanau, today our Wharekura was informed that we have one reported case of measles and we aim to act swiftly under the direction of Waikato District Health Board, to ensure that we contain this sickness and look after the wellbeing of our students, whanau and wider community. It is very important that only the students who have been vaccinated are at school from tomorrow (Wednesday April 13 th, 2016). We ask all of our students and whanau to; Ensure that students do not return to school if they do not have official documentation stating that they have been immunised. All students who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine (this will need to be documented either via school records, GP records or a Well Child Book) must stay at home in quarantine until Thursday April 21st, Please ring the office to inform us if your child is home in quarantine. If your child is immunised but not on the list, please ensure that your child brings the correct document as proof of immunisation to the school office where they will be added to the immunisation list and will be allowed to go to class. Any student who arrives at kura without evidence of immunisation and is not on our immunisation list, will be asked to contact their parents/caregiver to pick them up. Student work and assessments: If your child is not immunised and therefore needs to stay home, and has assessments to do, we expect your child to complete the assignment at home and it to his/her relevant teacher. If you child has a test here at school before the end of term, your child will receive an opportunity to do the test or similar test once they return. Our apologies for any inconvenience. As you are all aware, we are acting under the direction of the Waikato DHB to make every effort to manage the risk of further infection of our students, whanau and wider community. If you have any further question please contact the school office and also check your from Nga Taiatea or the school website for updated information Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou katoa Na Watson Ohia Tumuaki/Principal

2 Date 12 April 2016 Dear Parent/Guardian/Staff Information for contacts of a measles case A student at Nga Taiatea Wharekura has recently been reported to Waikato DHB s Population Health with measles. Students and staff at the School may have been exposed to this infection. Measles is a serious viral infection; the early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and white spots inside the mouth. After 3 to 5 days a rash appears on the face and then moves down the body. Occasionally measles has dangerous complications. Measles is highly infectious. All students who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine (this will need to be documented either via school records, GP records or a Well Child Book) must stay at home in quarantine until Thursday April 21 st, If your child has had 2 doses of MMR please provide documentation to school, if they do not already have it. They should be immune and there is no reason for isolation or keeping them away from school. If you are not sure of your child s immunisation records, check with your GP and keep you child at home in quarantine until you have the information that they have had 2 does of MMR. If your child has had one documented dose of MMR (more than a month ago) please keep them at home in quarantine, make an appointment with your family doctor for the second MMR, and once received, they may then return to school. If you child has received no documented doses of MMR then they are required to be quarantined at home (see below) until Thursday April 21 st, 2016 in accordance with the Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations Due to recent events, the advice above must be followed. By doing this, it should mean that all potential further cases will not be at school while they are infectious and thus the above date of end of quarantine will not need to be extended. All students should look out for symptoms until April 20 th, 2016: inclusive. The incubation period for measles is approximately two weeks and thus we ask you to look out for such symptoms any time in the next few weeks. The first symptoms of measles are a fever, and one or more of a runny nose, cough and sore red eyes. After a few days a red blotchy rash comes on and lasts up to one week. The rash usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can be very serious. If your child becomes unwell please phone your GP or call Health line on for advice or seek medical attention depending on severity of illness. It is important to call first because measles is highly infectious, and people with measles can infect others in the waiting room. We also ask if you become ill to inform us at Population Health ( ) so we can also work with the GP to confirm your possible diagnosis and prevent further spread. Immunisation against measles is the most effective way to prevent infection. I recommend that you have your child immunised against measles as soon as possible. Table: How do I know whether I or my child are immune?

3 Type of contact Children aged under 15 months who have not yet had an MMR vaccine Pregnant women who are not sure of their immunity Children who have not yet had any doses of MMR vaccine (normally MMR is given at 15 months and again at 4 years) Children who have only had one dose of MMR Risk and action Are not immune. Are advised to take this letter to your GP. Are at risk of becoming sick with measles. Are advised to take this letter to your GP. If aged under 4 years they are probably already immune. All should have their second dose as soon as possible. Once they have had the second dose, they can be considered to be immune and no longer at risk. Please take this letter to your GP or contact Population Health Children and Adults who have had two doses documented of measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine Adults born before 1969 Are immune No further action required Are considered to be immune No further action required Adults born from % of NZ born are thought to be immune. If you do not have documented evidence of two doses of MMR. Arrange to have an MMR. You are advised to take this letter to your GP. If you require further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Population Health ( ) or visit Waikato DHB website: Kind regards Dr Richard Wall MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH

4 Frequently asked questions for students, parents and teachers Waikato DHB Population Health How do I find out if my child has had two documented doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine? Do you still have your Well Child book? Immunisations given should be in there. Take this along to the school. If you have no records at home, contact your general practice. They should be able to provide you with documented information if they have it. What should I do if my child only has one documented dose of the MMR vaccine? Arrange with you general practice for your child to go and get their second MMR as soon as possible. Once they have had their second you can show the documentation to the school and your child can return to school. What if my child has no documented MMRs or has not had any MMRs? Your child will need to remain at home in quarantine until the school advises otherwise. Your child can receive their first MMR; however they will still need to remain in quarantine. If they have their first MMR you must wait a month for them to get their second MMR. Can I just get a serology test? We only recommend a serology test on a case-by-case basis and this is generally for those at high risk, i.e. pregnant women or close household contacts of a confirmed case. What if I was born before 1969 (1963 etc.)? People who are New Zealand-born are assumed to be immune and thus do not need to quarantined or be at home. Those who are immunosuppressed, i.e. taking cancer treatment, should discuss with their relevant doctor. What if I was born between 1991 and 1969? Ninety-five per cent of New Zealand-born individuals are thought to be immune. It is recommended that if you fit these criteria and do not have documented evidence of MMR or have had laboratory confirmed measles (not German measles which is Rubella) then arrange to get an MMR with your family doctor. You then do not need to remain in quarantine. What if I have immunity to Rubella? Is this the same as immunity to measles? NO it is not. Immunity to Rubella (German measles) is not immunity to measles.

5 Some people may have been immunised by a Rubella-only vaccine only (e.g. in New Zealand until 1992 or in another country). If immunised by MMR, being immune to one part (i.e. Rubella) does not mean that you will be immune to the others (measles or mumps). What about other children in the household who are not at the school? It is recommended that you make sure they have also had two documented doses of measles. Or, if the child is under four years old, that they have one documented dose of MMR. What does quarantine mean? It means you may be at home. We ask that you do not play sports, visit shops or attend parties etc. Can I be a carrier of measles if I am immune? If you are immune to measles, you cannot carry the disease and pass it onto others unknowingly. Should I be watching for signs and symptoms of measles? Please see attached for information regarding measles or go to: Yes please. Keep an eye on your child or yourself. Please let school and Population Health know if you or your child become unwell with a cough and cold and after a few days develop a rash. Please stay at home. If you need medical advice, phone Health Line and/or phone your GP and advise them that you may have measles. What if I or my child s illness is getting worse? Seek medical advice as you would normally. But please make sure that you advise the doctors and ambulance staff of the possibility of measles.

6 Friday, April 15 th : This is the last day of school and school will finish at 2.15pm. KOTI PANGO: Please know that we are willing to allow students to wear appropriate back jackets to school from the beginning of term 2. This is a trial for terms 2 an and the success will be measured by seeing that our students only wear these types of jackets to keep warm through the winter as well as our current school jackets. If our students adhere to the guidelines, we will seriously consider allowing this king of jacket after term 3. YES NO TYPE Down Jackets, Anoraks, Coats, Rain Jackets, Soft Shell Jackets, long black Denim Jackets, Hoodies, Leather Jackets, Jerseys, Vests coats COLOUR Black Colors other than black PRINTING Printing of the brand is acceptable but only if it is small Regalia, Big label writing on the back and front of jackets is not acceptable. *Hoods on any of the suitable jackets are ok *Jackets need to be: 1) War; 2) Waterproof; 3) Very Tidy Below are examples of suitable jackets so please prepare to be warm and tidy from the beginning of term 2.