Though Rwanda remains unaffected, in Kenya confirmed cases forced closure of schools. The cases sparked panic as parents refused their children from attending school. In one primary school alone, 250 pupils were reported to have developed symptoms on July 31.
The World Health Organisation said Friday that experience to date has demonstrated the role of schools in amplifying transmission of the pandemic virus, both within schools and into the wider community.
Students, teachers, and other staff who feel unwell should stay home, according to the guidelines. In addition, plans should be in place, and space made available, to isolate students and staff who become ill while at school.
The agency urges that schools promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and be stocked with appropriate supplies. Proper cleaning and ventilation and measures to reduce crowding are also advised.
As of last week, some 2,840 deaths had been recorded and WHO officials said in Kigali last week that the virus continues to be the predominant circulating virus of influenza both in the northern and southern hemispheres. There have been at least 254,000 laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1.
School closure can also be a reactive measure, when schools close or classes are suspended because high levels of absenteeism among students and staff make it impractical to continue classes.
The agency pointed out that the timing of school closure is critically important, and that it has the greatest benefits when it is done very early in an outbreak, ideally before 1 per cent of the population falls ill. If schools close too late in the course of a community-wide outbreak, the resulting reduction in transmission is likely to be very limited, it added.
WHO said that when making decisions, health officials and school authorities need to be aware of economic and social costs that can be disproportionately high when viewed against potential benefits.
The main economic cost arises from absenteeism of working parents or guardians who have to stay home to take care of their children. Studies estimate that school closures can lead to the absence of an additional 16 per cent of the workforce on top of the regular levels.
At the same time, while school closure can reduce the peak demand on health care systems, it can also disrupt the provision of essential health care, as many doctors and nurses are parents of school-age children, noted WHO.