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Published: 06 January 2023

TO:                   All Principals, for sharing with parents, guardians and staff

FROM:             Dr Eamonn O’Moore, Director National Health Protection;
                         Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead Child Health Public Health 

RE:                   Significant levels of Flu, Covid-19 and RSV currently circulating 

DATE:               6th January 2023

Significant increase in viral infections

We have seen a very significant increase in the usual winter viral infections. This includes an increase in flu, RSV and now Covid-19. This is because we are all mixing together more. 

We would like to thank you for supporting the dissemination of these important messages and thank the whole school community for their efforts in following public health advice.  As schools and other activities re-open it is timely to remind the school community of the key measures outlined below.

Important messages for families and children regarding any infections:  

1) The most important measure is to stay home if you are unwell.

Many children might have a runny nose or a slight cough in winter season. However, if a child is feeling unwell they should be at home. For example, they may have:

·        Fever

·        cough, and

·        sore throat

They should stay at home until those symptoms have finished. Children unwell with symptoms of one infection are more likely to get ‘co-infected’ with another infection which might make them more unwell, if they are exposed.

See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/  

Staying home when unwell will help prevent spread to other children, families and staff. 

2) Infection, prevention and control measures 

• - Cover coughs and sneezes
• - Keep hands clean

Many of the measures that we all got used to with Covid-19 are still important. Hygiene measures such as these should be encouraged for everyone. These measures help stop the spread of infection.

3) Vaccination

Making sure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccinations will help: 

• - stop your child getting an infection and 
• - make them less likely to be unwell if they do get an infection

Routine childhood vaccinations protect against many significant viral and bacterial infections. 

More information is available at https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/vaccines-your-child/

Flu vaccine

Children and young people with underlying conditions, are at increased risk of severe complications from flu and are recommended the flu vaccine. 

It is important that all adults and children recommended the flu vaccine receive the vaccine. Check if you are recommended the flu vaccine at hse.ie/flu  

It is not too late to get your free flu vaccine. 

More information is available at 

www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/getting-the-vaccine/  

Vaccination for Covid-19 is still available. Visit  www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/children/  

The most important ways to prevent the spread of all infections are making sure:

• anyone unwell stays at home
• children and adults are up to date with their recommended vaccines, including flu

4. If you are concerned about your child

If you are concerned your child may be unwell, please check https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coldscoughs-children/ There is information on coughs, colds, fever, rashes and symptoms of concern.  Advice on when to contact your GP or go to a hospital emergency department is available at

https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/parenting-advice/caring-for-a-child/baby-child-seriouslyunwell/

Typical symptoms of viral infections

Symptoms of viral infections typically include:

• runny or blocked nose
• mild fever
• cough 
• lethargy (tiredness)

Many children with viral infections also have a generalised rash. 

Most children with viral infections can safely be cared for at home.

Details

Published: 19 December 2022

On Friday the 16th of December we held out School Chirstmas Show. All classes and children took part and they peformed to the highest standard and they produced and outstanding show. Here is a small selection of highlights from the show.

Details

Published: 08 December 2022

Details

Published: 08 December 2022

There has been a large increase in general viral infections among children and young people this
winter.
There have also been recent concerns about a rare bacterial infection. This infection is iGAS (an
invasive Group A Streptococcal infection). It is and also known as Group A Strep.
Significant increase in viral infections
We have seen a significant increase in the usual winter viral infections. This includes an increase in
flu. This is because children are mixing together more. In previous years social contact was much
reduced. This in turn reduced the rates of routine infection.
Typical symptoms of viral infections
Symptoms of viral infections typically include:
• runny or blocked nose
• mild fever
• cough
• lethargy (tiredness)
Many children with viral infections also have a generalised rash.
Most children with viral infections can safely be cared for at home.
More information can be found at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/
Group A Strep and related bacterial infections
There have been cases of serious bacterial infections, specifically Group A Strep.
Severe infection is rare. Group A Strep more commonly causes infections such as:
• tonsillitis
• scarlet fever
• skin infections
Ireland has seen cases of more serious infections recently. But so far there has been no increase
compared to what we saw before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Information about managing illnesses of concern will continue to be updated on hse.ie over coming
days and weeks.
Important messages for families and children regarding any infections:
1) The most important measure is to stay home if you are unwell.

Many children might have a runny nose or a slight cough in winter season. However, if a child is
feeling unwell they should be at home. For example, they may have:
• fever
• cough, and
• sore throat
They should stay at home until those symptoms have finished.
See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/
Children with symptoms are more likely to spread infections. For example, they may spread flu or
bacterial infections. Staying home when unwell will help prevent spread to other children, families
and staff.
2) Infection, prevention and control measures
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Keep hands clean
These measures that we all got used to with Covid-19 are still important. They should be encouraged
for everyone. These measures help stop the spread of infection.
3) Vaccination
Making sure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccinations will help:
- stop your child getting an infection and
- make them less likely to be unwell if they do get an infection
Routine childhood vaccinations protect against many significant viral and bacterial infections.
There is no vaccine against many viral illnesses or Strep A.
More information is available at https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/vaccines-your-child/
Flu vaccine
The nasal spray flu vaccine is available for children aged 2 to 17 years. It helps protect against severe
infection with flu and onward spread.
See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/
Many adults are also recommended to have the flu vaccine.
More information is available at
www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/getting-the-vaccine/
Vaccination for Covid-19 is still available. Visit
www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/children/

The most important ways to prevent the spread of all infections are:
• making sure anyone unwell stays at home
• children and adults are up to date with their recommended vaccines, including flu
4. If you are concerned about your child
If you are concerned your child may be unwell, please check hse.ie. There is information on coughs,
colds, fever, rashes and symptoms of concern. There is advice on when to contact your GP or go to a
hospital emergency department. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/

Details

Published: 09 November 2022

We recently got brand new kits for our boys and girls gaelic football teams. We also received a brand new soccer kit. Our new kits were kindly sponsored by the ABC Group and the LTSP Group. Both our girls and boys teams took part in two Gaelic Football blitzes recently. Our girls played brilliantly and won 5 out of their 6 matches. The boys were very successful in their first blitz winning all three games. They were then placed in a harder group for their second blitz and narowly lost out in both games. Both teams really excelled in only our second year taking part in Cumann na mBunscoil games. Well done to all involved. Click read more to see more photos of the new kits.

Read more: Girls & Boys Gaelic Football