Panicky parents rush to get children examined

After Reeda Shaikh’s death in Pune because of swine flu, there’s been a dip in the attendance in city schools.

Worried parents are lining up at Kasturba Hospital to get their children checked for swine flu. Schools are taking extra precautions and are sending children home if they have flu symptoms.

“We went abroad on a vacation. My son had cold and fever some days ago. After Reeda’s death, we thought of getting a check-up done,” a parent from Thane who was at Kasturba on Wednesday said. In her son’s school, almost 50% of the students had stopped attending classes, she said. “Many parents are keeping their wards away from school to avoid any kind of untoward incident. I have also decided not to send my child to school for at least a week.”

Another woman, whose daughter studies at Raj Hans Vidyalaya in Andheri, said no cases had been reported from the school. “But parents are panicky,” she said. “People are suggesting a test for swine flu, even if it is viral fever.”

Podar International School has put a notice on their website requesting parents to keep children at home if they notice any symptoms of swine flu. Sabah Gaziyani whose son is in Std VIII said students were regularly attending classes. “The school sent us a letter. I don’t see why anyone should panic,” Gaziyani said.

A source from Cathedral School said there was no panic among students. “Though there’s been no rise in the number of absent students, parents are concerned. The numbers of children going for a swine flu test has gone up tremendously over the past two days,” the source said.