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Tuesday, 15 September 2009
* News & Star
* News
Four hundred pupils at Carlisle school absent after swine flu confirmed
By Kelly Eve Education reporter
Last updated at 11:53, Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Around 400 pupils were absent from Carlisle?s largest secondary school yesterday after a swine flu outbreak was confirmed.
Trinity School photo
Trinity School, Carlisle
Related: Swine flu confirmed at Carlisle school - all Trinity pupil tests positive
Related: Swine flu: Everything you need to know
A total of 120 youngsters had been sent home from Trinity School by Friday complaining of flu-like symptoms, with a small number given swabs to determine if they had flu.
Yesterday morning health bosses confirmed that all eight pupils swabbed had tested positive for the H1N1 strain.
The sickness was mainly in the 11-16 age group but it is not known whether all the absences are related to the flu outbreak.
Dr Nigel Calvert, associate director of public health at NHS Cumbria, has been working with the school and the Health Protection Agency following the outbreak in Carlisle.
Both he and headteacher Alan Mottershead insisted that the symptoms of swine flu in the school?s case appeared to be much milder than ordinary seasonal flu.
Trinity School was praised for its ?extremely sensible? approach to dealing with and treating pupils.
Health experts had predicted a rise in the number of cases once schools returned after the summer break. They have also repeated their calls for people to adopt good hand hygiene methods, washing with soap and water.
Dr Calvert said: ?Certainly in this case, swine flu appears to be a lot milder than ordinary seasonal influenza.
?The school has acted extremely sensibly and praise must go to everyone involved. It is worth reiterating that there is no reason for children who are well to stay away from the school which is open as normal.?
Schools are distributing swine flu advice letters to all Cumbrian parents this week from Professor John Ashton, Cumbria?s chief medical officer, and Moira Swann, the director for children?s services at Cumbria County Council.
Professor John Ashton, director of public health, said: ?The majority of people who have contracted swine flu have reported mild to moderate flu-like symptoms.
?The most common symptoms are a temperature of 38?C or more, sore throat, diarrhoea, headache, feeling generally unwell and a dry cough.
?If your child is showing symptoms of swine flu the best thing to do is keep them at home and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service,? added Dr Ashton
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the swine flu virus can call the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 513 for information or 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.
First published at 11:33, Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
* News & Star
* News
Four hundred pupils at Carlisle school absent after swine flu confirmed
By Kelly Eve Education reporter
Last updated at 11:53, Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Around 400 pupils were absent from Carlisle?s largest secondary school yesterday after a swine flu outbreak was confirmed.
Trinity School photo
Trinity School, Carlisle
Related: Swine flu confirmed at Carlisle school - all Trinity pupil tests positive
Related: Swine flu: Everything you need to know
A total of 120 youngsters had been sent home from Trinity School by Friday complaining of flu-like symptoms, with a small number given swabs to determine if they had flu.
Yesterday morning health bosses confirmed that all eight pupils swabbed had tested positive for the H1N1 strain.
The sickness was mainly in the 11-16 age group but it is not known whether all the absences are related to the flu outbreak.
Dr Nigel Calvert, associate director of public health at NHS Cumbria, has been working with the school and the Health Protection Agency following the outbreak in Carlisle.
Both he and headteacher Alan Mottershead insisted that the symptoms of swine flu in the school?s case appeared to be much milder than ordinary seasonal flu.
Trinity School was praised for its ?extremely sensible? approach to dealing with and treating pupils.
Health experts had predicted a rise in the number of cases once schools returned after the summer break. They have also repeated their calls for people to adopt good hand hygiene methods, washing with soap and water.
Dr Calvert said: ?Certainly in this case, swine flu appears to be a lot milder than ordinary seasonal influenza.
?The school has acted extremely sensibly and praise must go to everyone involved. It is worth reiterating that there is no reason for children who are well to stay away from the school which is open as normal.?
Schools are distributing swine flu advice letters to all Cumbrian parents this week from Professor John Ashton, Cumbria?s chief medical officer, and Moira Swann, the director for children?s services at Cumbria County Council.
Professor John Ashton, director of public health, said: ?The majority of people who have contracted swine flu have reported mild to moderate flu-like symptoms.
?The most common symptoms are a temperature of 38?C or more, sore throat, diarrhoea, headache, feeling generally unwell and a dry cough.
?If your child is showing symptoms of swine flu the best thing to do is keep them at home and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service,? added Dr Ashton
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the swine flu virus can call the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 513 for information or 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.
First published at 11:33, Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk