The Achimota School (Basic Department) has been closed down following the outbreak of the Influenza Pandemic HINI in the school. The closure, on Saturday, saw many parents rushing to the school to pick their wards. The school is scheduled to re-open on April 6. The Times during a visit on Sunday, found the school deserted. A general notice signed by the headmaster and posted on the school's board read: "In view of the outbreak of the Influenza Pandemic H1N1, the school has been temporarily closed down from today, Saturday, March 27, 2010. Boarders will return to school on Tuesday April 6 and normal classes will begin on Wednesday April 7." A source close to the school said by that date, the school would have been fumigated to make it safe. The source said for fear that the pandemic might spread to the Senior Department of the Achimota School, health officials from the Korle-Bu Teaching and Achimota hospitals on Saturday lectured the students on the symptoms and manifestation of the pandemic and how to avoid it. The Pandemic Influenza H1N1 is a disease caused by a virus that affects the respiratory system. Its symptoms are fever, cough or sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue and in some cases, vomiting and diarrhoea. Complications of the disease include pneumonia and difficulty in breathing. Death may occur if severe complication (severe pneumonia) occurs. Influenza viruses are mainly spread from one person to another through droplets released during coughing or sneezing (as in any flu). Sometimes people may become infected by touching surfaces or holding objects. Such as hands, door handles, handkerchief, tissue paper contaminated with influenza viruses and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. It would be recalled that Galaxy International School at Abelenkpe and Tema Parent School were also closed down following the outbreak of the H1N1 pandemic. Source: Ghanaian Times