Children urged to sing their way to clean hands

The authorities have resorted to a song to drum into children's minds the basic precautions they should take as part of an educational campaign on swine flu.

The campaign, drafted by the Education Ministry, the Community Care Parliamentary Secretariat and the Health Department, is targeting all schools, and has been finalised in time for the start of the scholastic year later in the month.

It sought to convey a message of precaution to children and teachers via various media, the government said.

The song is considered to be an effective means through which children would be able to understand better the basic precautions they should take in view of swine flu.

The second death in Malta from swine flu - a 63-year-old man - occurred on Thursday and concerned teachers this week called for a meeting with the education authorities to discuss an action plan to combat H1N1 before the scholastic year kicked off.

The Malta Union of Teachers wrote to the Education Directorate, asking to discuss the measures needed to protect children and teachers. It wanted to ensure the latter were among the first to get the jab against the H1N1 influenza as soon as it was available.

The MUT had also called for alcohol-based hand rubs in classrooms so teachers could clean their hands without having to go to the bathroom.

The campaign, details of which will be launched next week, comes in the wake of the announcement that health authorities around the world are expecting the start of the school year to bring about a spike in swine flu, schools being the ideal breeding ground for the virus.

An Education Ministry spokesman had said a circular with instructions had been issued to all heads of schools, kindergartens and childcare centres.

Schools were also being instructed to isolate and send home staff and pupils who have influenza-like symptoms. Children would only be readmitted when they presented a medical certificate, clearing them of illness.

The Health Department yesterday continued to insist on the importance of staying home if unwell, while the regular washing of hands with soap and water was considered the most efficient way of avoiding the spread of swine flu.

A leaflet on necessary precautions that the parliamentary secretary sent to every home earlier on is available from www.doi.gov.mt and www.gov.mt.