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Three schools involved in swine flu outbreak
5:41pm Tuesday 7th July 2009
Three schools in west Wiltshire have now sent out letters to parents following a number of children falling ill with flu-like symptoms.
In the latest development Colin Kay, headteacher of Clarendon School in Trowbridge, confirmed that one student had been off school for two weeks with suspected swine flu and that four parents of children at the school also had confirmed swine flu.
He said parents had been sent letters today.
“We have done a number of things to increase hygiene such as doing extra cleaning, making tissues available, putting hand sanitisers in the dining room and kitchen and encouraging students to use them," he said.
“We have been told it is not necessary to close the school and that hygiene is the best way to avoid spreading it.
“We understand that there are a number of cases in Trowbridge so it’s likely that the number of student cases will increase.”
Earlier today one case of swine flu was confirmed in a pupil at George Ward School in Melksham while at the Mead Primary School in Hilperton there is a suspected case, which involves a Reception class pupil, who is being kept in isolation at home after her mother contacted her doctor.
The Mead says it is in close contact with NHS Wiltshire, the Health Protection Agency and Wiltshire Council regarding the matter and had been advised that there is no need to close the school.
At George Ward, a letter from headteacher Stephen Clark and Maggie Rae, director of Public Health for NHS Wiltshire, said: "Parents should feel assured that we are liaising closely with the local NHS, Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Local Authority regarding this matter.
"Having taken advice, we have decided to keep the school open as normal.
"In the vast majority of cases, swine flu is a mild illness and those affected make a full and quick recovery.
"Children and adults who do not have flu like symptoms should continue their daily routines as normal."
A spokesman for NHS Wiltshire said anyone with flu-like symptoms, such as a temperature, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, runny noses or vomiting/diarrhoea, should phone their family doctor for advice.
She added that they should not attend the surgery to avoid spreading the infection.
For more details call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.
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Your Say YourWiltshire
shutup, b on a says...
11:47pm Tue 7 Jul 09
That said I have had children at school that were exposed to a killer virus and the school at the time also tried to cover up the infections .I was pretty furious as I am sure the parents at this school will be. Early warning can help parents seek medical help at the very first sign of trouble. Schools and Headmasters withholding information that could help parents detect a serious infection at an early stage is criminal it endangers our children’s lives.
Common sense should dictate that a mere leaflet on day one to advise parents to watch for unusual symptoms could save a life.
I suspect that the loss to the school in cash or its place on the score sheet if its disrupted by worried parents keeping children away would outweigh the loss in lives to a viral infection.
“We have been told it is not necessary to close the school and that hygiene is the best way to avoid spreading it”
Why were the parents not advised on day one so that they could also increase hygiene? Thus play a part in helping to prevent the spread.
I guess they will hide behind the excuse that it was not a confirmed case.
Those who can do,Those who cant ...
Mr.Right, Hilperton says...
9:30am Wed 8 Jul 09
I have a child at the school and communication has been fine, the school and staff do a great job, so lay of them.
It's no longer if you catch this flu but when you catch it, the PCT has stopped swobbing and testing and are now treating every case as swine flu.
If you have any flu like symptoms pleas stay at home and call the doctor, they will issue a scrip over the phone, and it would help if you can have someone collect your meds, this will reduce the spread of the virus, but alas it cant be stopped.
Trowbridge Bloke, Trowbridge says...
2:56pm Wed 8 Jul 09
shutup wrote:Why don't you look at the leaflet you, and everybody else has had, through your door?
Looks like the actions of the school will make little difference because this is going to spread like wild fire regardless. That said I have had children at school that were exposed to a killer virus and the school at the time also tried to cover up the infections .I was pretty furious as I am sure the parents at this school will be. Early warning can help parents seek medical help at the very first sign of trouble. Schools and Headmasters withholding information that could help parents detect a serious infection at an early stage is criminal it endangers our children’s lives. Common sense should dictate that a mere leaflet on day one to advise parents to watch for unusual symptoms could save a life. I suspect that the loss to the school in cash or its place on the score sheet if its disrupted by worried parents keeping children away would outweigh the loss in lives to a viral infection. “We have been told it is not necessary to close the school and that hygiene is the best way to avoid spreading it” Why were the parents not advised on day one so that they could also increase hygiene? Thus play a part in helping to prevent the spread. I guess they will hide behind the excuse that it was not a confirmed case. Those who can do,Those who cant ...
That tells you what to look out for and what to do.
shutup, b on a says...
6:16pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Trowbridge Bloke wrote:Quite obviously you didn't bother to fully read my post.
shutup wrote:Why don't you look at the leaflet you, and everybody else has had, through your door?
Looks like the actions of the school will make little difference because this is going to spread like wild fire regardless. That said I have had children at school that were exposed to a killer virus and the school at the time also tried to cover up the infections .I was pretty furious as I am sure the parents at this school will be. Early warning can help parents seek medical help at the very first sign of trouble. Schools and Headmasters withholding information that could help parents detect a serious infection at an early stage is criminal it endangers our children’s lives. Common sense should dictate that a mere leaflet on day one to advise parents to watch for unusual symptoms could save a life. I suspect that the loss to the school in cash or its place on the score sheet if its disrupted by worried parents keeping children away would outweigh the loss in lives to a viral infection. “We have been told it is not necessary to close the school and that hygiene is the best way to avoid spreading it” Why were the parents not advised on day one so that they could also increase hygiene? Thus play a part in helping to prevent the spread. I guess they will hide behind the excuse that it was not a confirmed case. Those who can do,Those who cant ...
That tells you what to look out for and what to do.
Three schools involved in swine flu outbreak
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katiesdpr1, trowbridge says...
9:15pm Tue 7 Jul 09