Re: NZ - Almost half students at Seddon school, Marlborough with swine flu
An extra sick bay has been set up at Marlborough Girls' College as students fall sick with suspected swine flu.
College principal Karen Stewart said 131 girls were off sick yesterday, while another 34 were sent home with flu symptoms, including headaches, high temperatures and, for six girls, vomiting. The school has a roll of 1053.
A temporary sick bay was set up in the entrance to the performing arts building to cope with the high number of sick girls.
It follows an outbreak of swine flu, or H1N1 influenza, at Seddon School, affecting almost 50 children and three staff since July 21. Last week Nelson Marlborough medical officer of health Ed Kiddle confirmed it was swine flu.
Ms Stewart said she could not be sure all her sick pupils had swine flu.
"We know swine flu is in the community and that will mean it's here in school."
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Marlborough Boys' College deputy principal Paul Jackson said the school had not been affected by swine flu.
Up to 40 pupils were away sick on Monday and Tuesday, but that was normal, he said.
Seddon School principal Tania Pringle said today the school was now "on the good side" of the swine flu outbreak, with only 10 pupils sick today and no new cases reported.
"By the end of the week, everyone will be back by the look of it, it's fairly much run its course."
Bohally Intermediate School principal Brian Tuffey said the flu had not made its way from Marlborough Girls' College, which is next door. No more students were off sick than usual for the flu season, about 10 from a roll of 400.
But he expected an increase in sick pupils in the next fortnight.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/3989434/School-may-be-hit-by-swine-flu
