Swine flu won't keep pregnant teachers from class

The New Brunswick government is not considering a policy to keep pregnant teachers out of the classroom over risks they may contract swine flu.

Even as two Quebec school boards are asking pregnant teachers to stay home to avoid contracting the H1N1 virus, the New Brunswick Department of Education is not considering a similar move.

Noreen Bonnell, president of the New Brunswick Teachers Association, said so far she hasn't received any complaints.

But, she said,each situation that ariseswould be judged individually throughout the school year.

"Teachers, if there are concerns, will be in contact with their doctors and make that decision in concert with their doctors, the Department of Education and school districts," Bonnell said.

Pregnant women are at greater risk of complications from swine flu and should consider avoiding crowded events, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported in July.

Dr. Paul Van Buynder, the province's deputy chief medical health officer, said pregnant women are no more likely to be infected by the swine flu virus.

"But they are more likely to suffer severe symptoms such as pneumonia, and there can be problems for the pregnancy itself," he said.

Van Buynder also said pregnant women should see their doctor immediately if they notice symptoms.

He said thereare highly effective antivirals if the virus is caught in the first 48 hours.

"Pregnant women are much more likely to end up hospitalized with the pandemic. And there's actually been more pregnant women, proportionately, who have passed away because of the pandemic, particularly towards the end of the pregnancy," he said.

2 N.B. teachers concerned

It was the death of a pregnant woman in Montreal because of complications from swine flu that prompted the two Quebec school boards to decide to keep pregnant teachers out of the classroom.

Two pregnant teachers in the Fredericton area say thatthey believe the province should be taking a similar step.

Chantal Theriault-Serroul, a Grade 4 teacher who is due in January, called the Quebec school boards' plan a "wonderful idea."

"It's a little bit worrisome to think about what could happen to your baby or to you. I know especially since women in their late pregnancy are more susceptible to getting sick because their immune systems are a bit lower," she said.

Sophie Cassie, a Grade 3 teacher who is due in October, said she is also concerned about heading back to school with the swine flu virus.

"I was like 'Oh, this is kind of worrisome.' I'm in my third trimester, and they're saying that's the worst time," Cassie said.