Statement from the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training on St. Ambrose Primary School
The two isolated health events, involving a pupil and a teacher at St. Ambrose Primary, did not require the school to be closed.
The findings of Chief Medical Officer, The Most Honourable Kenneth George, support the decision of the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training to keep the school open on Friday, February 16. Both education and health authorities are investigating two suspected cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
While Dr. George is yet to review the clinical contents of both cases, he explained that “based on the natural history of the disease”, closure of schools is unnecessary. He further revealed that it is a disease of infants, and therefore very rare to present in adults. And, unlike other infectious diseases is “extremely self-limiting” with no long-term effects.
On Friday, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, along with another Ministry official, met with the principal and teachers, for just over four (4) hours, to gain an understanding of their concerns.
A nurse from the Ministry of Health was called in by the principal to sensitise teachers and other members of staff about the hand-foot-and- mouth disease, and the measures to be taken for them to ensure their protection. It was agreed that the school establish protocols with regards to hygiene and person-to-person contact, to limit any potential spread.
The Ministry also instructed the principal to convene a meeting with parents to inform them of the isolated case and encourage parents to be vigilant, and seek medical attention for their child in the low chance of any symptoms presenting.
Classes will resume, as normal, at St. Ambrose Primary on Monday, February 19.
