UK:
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
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/400_carlisle_school_pupils_off_after_swine_flu_outbreak_1_611756?referrerPath=/news_round-up_1_50001
Around 400 pupils were absent from Carlisle’s largest secondary school yesterday after a swine flu outbreak was confirmed.
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.
((((((Note what the trend in flu cases had been once the Cumbria schools had been closed for the summer: ))))))
Quote:
Dramatic drop in swine flu cases
10:27am Tuesday 11th August 2009
By Allan Tunningley
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/4539429.Dramatic_drop_in_swine_flu_cases/?ref=rss
THE number of swine flu cases in Cumbria has fallen by around 30 per cent in just seven days.
According to figures released by the National Pandemic Flu Service, far fewer antivirals were dispensed in the county last week compared with the week before.
Between August 2 and 9, 665 ‘flu friends’ picked up antiviral medication for people with suspected swine flu compared to 1,028 from July 27 to August 2.