WA: Boarding schools consider testing kids for SARS
EDS: Corrected on subsequent information from the federal government.
PERTH, April 9 AAP - Some Perth boarding schools could make students returning fromoverseas holidays spend time in quarantine or be tested for the dangerous flu-like illnesswhich has killed more than 100 people worldwide.
Some schools were considering the move in a bid to prevent an outbreak of Severe AcuteRespiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australiasaid today.
"Schools are obviously being faced with a dilemma about SARS because there is no realknowledge of how contagious it is," the body's spokeswoman Audrey Jackson said.
Some schools were considering insisting that students returning from overseas holidaysspend 10 days in quarantine at the home of a Perth guardian before returning to the school,she said.
Others were contemplating asking students to undergo tests for SARS before they couldbe readmitted.
Not all parents were allowing their children to fly overseas for the holidays.
"Schools are also reporting that parents from high-risk areas are asking their childrento stay in Australia over the Easter holidays," she said.
Meanwhile, the Education Department has warned schools to heed foreign affairs departmentwarnings to defer travel to high-risk areas.
Schools have also been urged to learn the symptoms of SARS and monitor the health ofstaff and students who have visited affected areas.
SARS symptoms should be reported to a GP or local hospital.
AAP lk/js/ldj/jlw
KEYWORD: SARS WA
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