Winter Illness Wave Hits Eastern Bay Schools and Workplaces

Eastern Bay of Plenty schools and workplaces are feeling the impact of a wave of winter illnesses, with influenza A, RSV and other infections keeping children and staff at home.

Bay of Plenty-based Public Health Physician Dr Gabby Templer-Corney said respiratory illnesses are currently putting increased pressure on health services across Aotearoa.

“We currently have data suggesting an increase in illness from respiratory infections, including flu,” Templer-Corney said.

She said colder weather and more time spent indoors typically lead to an increase in illnesses such as colds, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

More people are seeking medical care through GPs, urgent care centres and emergency departments, while schools, early childhood centres and rest homes are also reporting increased illness.

Locally, linked cases of respiratory illness have been reported in early childhood centres and rest homes, with some testing positive for influenza A.

Templer-Corney said parents should keep children home when they have cold or flu symptoms.

“It gives kids the time to rest and recover and get back to being healthy and able to learn, but secondly, it helps to prevent the spread of illness to others.”

At Apanui School, principal Marama Stewart said the volume and combination of illnesses moving through the school has been unusual.

“Kids get sick. They need to get sick in order to develop an immune system. However, the volume of illness and the combination of illnesses is quite unusual.”

Stewart said the school is dealing with influenza A, strep throat, RSV and a range of other illnesses, with some children becoming unwell again after initially recovering.

“We've noticed the trend that children actually perk up. They return to school. They're fine. And then they throw up at morning tea. The temperature spikes at 39, and then we have to send them home.”

The school has been sending an average of eight or nine children home each day, she said.

Stewart said schools can struggle to care for children who become sick during the school day, particularly when staff and relievers are also off sick.

“We just don't have the facilities to hold a child with us that has a temperature or is throwing up. We've only got one sick bed.”

She said the pressure is also being felt by parents and employers, as staff need to take time off to care for sick children.

“Parents should not feel pressured to send sick children to school,” Stewart said.

“If parents can stay home and to care for their children on paid sick leave, they will actually get back to work quicker. They need to be able to rest and recover.”

For workplaces, Templer-Corney said employers should have clear sickness policies so staff know what to do when they are unwell.

She also recommends simple measures to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands regularly or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

Templer-Corney said the annual flu vaccination is the best defence against influenza.

People who are unwell should avoid visiting vulnerable people, including babies, pregnant people, those aged over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.

Templer-Corney said this also means staying away from hospitals and retirement villages until they have recovered.

Anyone unsure whether they or their child is well enough to return to school, work or childcare can contact Healthline on 0800 611 116, which is available 24 hours a day.

Temple-Corney advises those worried about symptoms to speak to a medical professional immediately.