this is strange.
...A secondary school in the Highlands has seen almost half its pupils struck down by an unidentified illness. Yesterday, 420 of the 992 pupils at Thurso High School were absent with flu-like symptoms..."It seems to be hitting only the younger generation. There have been no teaching staff off. I don't know what is causing it."
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:15853157679924458877::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,31303
That is a very large number to be affected. Appears to be highly contagious, whatever it is.
When I saw your post to me, I thought the article was referring to the Highlands near me at the Jersey Shore. I'm relieved that it's not the Atlantic Highlands but I sure hope all of those kids get better soon and they figure out what the strange illness is.