School children in Anguilla returned to their classrooms this week feeling much safer than the week before when they were believed to be more exposed to infection from the swine flu.

Alex Fleming sanitising Adrian T. Hazell Primary School

However, on the same day, Tuesday, following the mid-term break for all schools, it was announced by the Ministry of Education that there were two more recorded cases of the H1N1 virus, along with a few more suspected cases, at the Orealia Kelly Primary School. It was there, last week, that the Ministry reported that a nine-year-old student had contracted the virus. As a consequence of the new findings and health hazard, the school has been closed and will reopen on Monday, November 9, on the order of the Ministry under section 59 of the Education Act.

A press release, issued by the Ministry, stated in part: “The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the general public that following confirmation of the first case of H1N1 in a student of the Orelia Kelly Primary School, that school and all other schools were sanitized by the Department of Health Protection. Unfortunately, parents continue to bring children to school who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Parents are therefore reminded that when children are exhibiting flu-like symptoms they are to remain at home.

“The Ministry of Education looks forward to the cooperation of all involved as we seek to limit the exposure of children and staff to this virus.

“The Ministry also announces that in an effort to contain the spread of the H1N1 virus, the NBA-sponsored Primary Schools Football Tournament will be postponed until further notice.”

The mid-term break late last week and up to Monday, this week, provided the right opportunity for the sanitising of the schools. Under an arrangement involving the Ministry of Social Development, the Education Department and private school organisations, the Environmental Health Unit undertook to sanitize the various schools using the services of three workers in the Vector Control Section. The employees were the Senior Vector Control Officer, Alex Fleming, and his colleagues Shandette Carty and Icilma Morton.

The Anguillian met the team busily at work at the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School. “Today we are sanitizing all of the schools in Anguilla – primary and pre-primary – and this is against the H1N1virus,” Alex told the newspaper, his voice resonating with clarity
and confidence. “The substance we are using is a clorox and water solution. That is the best sanitizing agent that is known for the H1N1 so far.”

Shandette Carty and Icilma Morton

When asked about the effect of an alcohol-based solution, he replied: “An alcohol-based mixture can also be used, but clorox or lysol is better.” He explained how the work was being carried out. “We are sanitising all of the tables, chairs, door knobs, bathrooms which are the most basic areas that will be touched at the schools. When the regular cleaners go in on Monday they will do the same thing with cloths and clorox. We are now doing the preparatory and basic work, and coming after us they will do the final touches.”

As the Senior Vector Control Officer, Alex was asked what advice he would give to the schools to guard against the H1N1 virus: “I think personnal hygiene and sanitization are key elements of protection. Anything you touch you should make sure you sanitize your hands. I would advise the Education Department and teachers to make certain that they put sanitizing machines at all of the schools.

The sanitising of the schools highlights the important work of the Environmental Health Unit which has just concluded Vector Awareness Week and involved schoolchildren in its programme of activities. It is a service that carries with it a great sense of responsibility and dedication.
This was shown by the two female officers who took around heavy tanks to spray the schools throughout the island, and by the Alex, the lone male worker, whose tank more than double the weight of the others.

“Obviously you enjoy your job,” The Anguillian remarked to Alex.

“Yes, I love my job,” he replied. “I love to be out there doing what’s good for the people of the island.”

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