Flu Pandemic

Dear Parent and Carers,

As some of you may be aware a pandemic flu outbreak is due to hit the United Kingdom within the next few years. Health experts are uncertain when this may happen but we are aware that it is likely to be within the next 2 - 3 years. This may seem like “years” away but we have to start planning so we are ready for this outbreak.

For those of you who are uncertain what Pandemic flu is, it is a type of influenza that only occurs every few decades and spreads rapidly affecting many countries and regions around the world. Pandemic Flu has similar symptoms to those of “ordinary flu” but unlike ordinary flu, experts are unable to create a vaccine until the outbreak has begun.

There have been 3 pandemic outbreaks within the last century which include:
• “Spanish Flu” in 1918 – 1919 killing an estimated 20 – 40 million (global)
• “Asian Flu” in 1957 – 1958 killing an estimated 1 million (global)
• “Hong Kong Flu” in 1968 – 1969 killing an estimated 1 – 4 million (global)
No one is certain who or which age group is going to be mainly affected as it has varied over the last century from healthy young adults between 20 to 50 years of age to the very old with medical conditions.

The UK government has drawn up a contingency plan which can be found on www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu

Casa Club is currently in the process of finalizing their plans, but we want to reassure parents and carers we will continue to operate as long as the School is open; there are enough members of staff and it is safe to do so according to the Government Guidelines.

For more information please visit the web address above or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Yours Sincerely

Jan McGuigan
Casa Club Owner
September 2008