No need to close schools over H1N1 flu cases — Health Ministry

AMMAN — The Health Ministry on Tuesday said there was no need to suspend classes in schools where some their students are diagnosed with H1N1 (swine) flu.

Ministry Spokesperson Hatem Azrui said schools are not required to close when any one of their students contract H1N1, because this type of flu is now deemed seasonal.

"Students with swine flu should receive the required treatment and get days off as determined by the doctor. There is no need for other students stay home," he said in a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The health and education ministries are coordinating over measures to be taken in such cases.

Azrui highlighted that there is a "noticeable decline" in the number of flu cases, particularly with the end of the cold season.

A private school in Amman has decided to suspend classes after a case of H1N1 was confirmed among its students.

Media reports also circulated a decision by Karak district education department to suspend classes in two schools for one week after registering swine flu cases.

In previous remarks, the Health Ministry said deaths caused by the disease do not exceed those caused by the seasonal flu, but no figures are available.

The majority of the deaths are among high-risk groups that include people who have respiratory problems, children or pregnant women, ministry officials have said.

They called on the public not to panic and to seek medical consultation once they feel the symptoms, which include diarrhoea, fever, and a sore throat.