Information from Wendy Alexander MSP on Swine Flu outbreak

I spoke with the Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon both over the weekend and again this morning about the local cases of swine flu. I told her of the strength of feeling amongst many parents of pupils at Paisley Grammar who would like the entire school closed for seven days given two confirmed cases in two different year groups. Many parents would also like consideration given to specialist cleaning of the school in the wake of the outbreak.

I have also written to the local Director of Education John Rooney urging that induction planned visits by Primary 7 pupils to Paisley Grammar this week be rescheduled to another time, so alleviating concerns amongst local primary pupils parents.
I also urged the Health Secretary over the weekend to step up the preventative campaign to everyone. The very simple message of “Catch it, bin it, kill it” needs much more extensive publicity locally. There are many people who do not know the current advice is to throw away a paper hanky as soon as it has been used once. We need everyone to know what they can do to stop the spread of the virus that means – a renewed effort in local schools in local papers,  on TV and radio and door-to-door delivery to get across the main message “Catch it, bin it, kill it”.

Over the coming days I plan to stay in touch with the Health Secretary letting her know of the issues that have been raised with me.
Information on the prevention of the spread of the virus can be found at the following link  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/924/0080955.pdf