Abu Dhabi: Health authorities are studying a proposal to further postpone the opening of schools until November to prevent H1N1 virus contamination among schoolchildren, Gulf News has learnt.

The proposal covers both public and private schools that follow the education ministry's curriculum.

A source said postponing the school opening was among the many options discussed during a meeting held last week between the National Committee to Combat H1N1 and officials from the ministries of education and health, as well as educational councils and health authorities.

The option to postpone the opening of schools for another month is gaining ground, and a decision will be made within the next two weeks following the expected influx of residents who are returning from vacation, the source said.

The source said health authorities cited a study that said it would be difficult to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading among schoolchildren if more than one case appeared in any school.

The study recommended that schools remain closed until the situation is under control.

The Gulf News source said rescheduling the school opening to November would allow returning residents to have more than a month's time for self-quarantine to determine whether they have been infected by swine flu.

The extra period likewise gives enough time to treat those who became infected or have shown symptoms of the flu virus. Hence, if school is postponed until November this will ensure suspected cases are treated at home.

Moreover, most schools are not ready to cope with the situation in case more than one person becomes infected.

Another factor being considered was the lack of hospital beds to handle patients in case of a widespread outbreak.

Sources told Gulf News that health authorities had received reports from international bodies suggesting that the possibility of the virus spreading in cold countries is greater, because the virus thrives better in cooler climates.

Authorities are concerned that schoolchildren returning with their families from cold countries maybe carrying the H1N1 virus.

Are you considering keeping your children at home during the first few days of school? Is your child's school taking necessary precautions to prevent any spread of H1N1 flu?