Swine flu: Two schools send letters home to parents after kids fall ill (From Wiltshire Times)

Swine flu: Two schools send letters home to parents after kids fall ill

2:16pm Tuesday 7th July 2009

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Three schools in west Wiltshire have sent out letters to parents following a number of children falling ill with flu-like symptoms.

One case of swine flu has been confirmed in a pupil at George Ward School in Melksham while at the Mead Primary School in Hilperton there is a suspected case, which the Wiltshire Times understands 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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