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Two schools shut amid swine flu fear

Experts term steps drastic; 4 more cases confirmed

Staff Correspondent
Two leading English medium schools in the city have shut down for an indefinite period yesterday amidst fears that the number of swine flu cases might increase in the country.
Experts, however, said the swine-flu situation in the country does not warrant such drastic steps.
The number of swine flu patients crossed a hundred in the country yesterday as government officials confirmed that four more people have been infected with the virus A/ H1N1.
Authorities of Scholastica issued a notice yesterday saying the school will remain closed from August 23rd until further notice.
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Sunbeams, another leading English school in the city, was also closed down yesterday.
"Such a reaction is quite unnecessary," said Prof Mahmudur Rahman, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
"Such steps will only lead to other schools following suit. We will take up the matter with the education ministry because we think the situation is nowhere near anything which calls for shuttingdown of schools."
I Ie said that the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also thinks that schools need not be shut down for fear of spread of swine flu.
Health Minister Prof AFM Ruhal Haque at a press briefing yesterday said, "The situation is not alarming now, but might worsen as it has been seen in neighbouring India where it spread widely.
World Health Organisation (WHO) in a statement on Friday said if someone with confirmed or suspected H1N1 infection shows symptoms as shortness of breath, chest pains and high fever lasting beyond three days, they should seek immediate medical advice.
The WHO also issued new guidelines for use of the drugs against the pandemic. According to the new guidelines, formed by consensus by a global group of experts, healthy patients with uncomplicated illness do not need to take any antivirals.
Some 102 patients have been infected with the virus since June 19. All have been treated with the antiviral drug Oseltamivir, government officials said. Most have already recovered while three still remain hospitalised. The condition of one of them is critical, Prof
Mahmudur Rahman said.
Government sources said appropriate measures have been taken to contain the spread of the virus. Isolation wards have been set up at different hospitals, the slock of the antiviral drugs has been strengthened and health professionals across the country have been trained for swine flu man agement.
Different pharmaceutical companies including Beximco, Popular, Square and the Essential Drug Company l imited are manufacturing the antiviral in the country, sources said.
Experts suggest that anyone suffering from fever, runny nose and coughs should stay indoors till the symptoms subside.
"But if they suffer from any respiratory illnesses with flu-like symptoms, they should immediately seek medical treatment," Brig Gen Khademu! Ehsan Iqbal, director of the Mitford Hospital, said.
He also said that as a precaution, all people across the country should maintain respiratory etiquettes and other basic hygiene standards as frequent washing of the hand with soap and water.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 182,166 laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 have been reported till August 13 and more than 1,799 deaths have been reported worldwide.