The Scout Association

Swine flu and Scouting

Scouting is about to enter a period of summer camps and activities.
The following advice is based on information from the Directgov website.

Summer activities
Activities should continue as normal but leaders of activities should be alert.

Any youth Member with flu-like symptoms should be returned home as soon as possible and should contact - but not visit - their GP and seek treatment.

Symptoms
The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu but may be more severe.

The typical symptoms are:
  • sudden fever
  • sudden cough
Other symptoms may include:
  • headache
  • tiredness
  • chills
  • aching muscles
  • limb or joint pain
  • diarrhoea or stomach upset
  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • sneezing
  • loss of appetite.
Parental contact details
Leaders should make sure they have up-to-date parents' contact details: address, telephone numbers (home, work and mobile) and email as appropriate.

Precautions
Brief and advise everyone to:
  • use soap and water when washing their hands
  • cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing (with a tissue, not with their hands)
  • throw dirty tissues away quickly into bins.
Group closures
At this time Groups can operate normally. If a youth Member is suspected of having a virus that might be swine flu - even if they are not currently attending the Group - the Group should take advice from local public health advisers.

The Group can stay open unless the authorities advise that the Group should close as a precautionary measure.

Further advice including international travel advice is available on the Directgov website. The above information will be updated if the advice from the statutory authorities changes. 		 
10/07/2009
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