Students, staff with cough or cold to go on leave in Goa

Panaji, March 3 (IANS) As a precaution against swine flu, Goa's educational authorities have directed all schools to send students, teachers and other non-teaching staff on a week's leave if any symptoms of cold or cough were detected.

"Students, teachers and other employees working in schools/educational institutions are advised to stay at home for at least seven days if they are advised by the doctor to take anti-viral treatment and should isolate themselves at home," a directorate of education circular said.

The circular was issued on the basis of an advisory issued by the health authorities late Monday.

"Our circular has been dispatched to every school in the state and a copy has also been sent to registered Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs)," a senior health department functionary told IANS.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, state Health Minister Francis D'Souza said that swine flu was under control in Goa and that the only known seven cases, where patients have been diagnosed as positive for swine flu, are being treated.

"They are responding well to treatment. We had sent 60 samples for testing. We received 47 reports until Monday, in which only seven cases are positive," D'Souza said, adding that most of the patients were from Pune and had been visiting Goa.