Don't panic says schools as child is diagnosed with swine flu (From Dorset Echo)

Don't panic says schools as child is diagnosed with swine flu

8:51am Friday 10th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(15)

SCHOOLS have been put on alert after a pupil was diagnosed with swine flu.

A child from Damers First School in Dorchester has been struck by the virus and letters have gone out to parents at schools across the area with advice on how to combat the spread of swine flu.

Damers headteacher Phil Minns confirmed there had been a case of swine flu in the school but insisted it would continue to operate as normal.

He said: “We sent a letter out to all parents advising them that we had a case of swine flu in the school.

“We have been advised by the Dorset and Somerset Health Protection Unit in the way to proceed on this.

“As far as I am aware the current position with swine flu is that there is widespread community transmission and in the UK we have switched from a containment to treatment response.

“That means we are no longer closing down public places like schools where there have been cases that have been treated separately.”

Mr Minns said that the pupil who had contracted the flu was being treated and was expected to make a full recovery.

He said: “As far as we are aware they are a bit under the weather with it but they are doing fine.”

Mr Minns praised parents for the way they had handled the news and said they would be fully informed as to any further developments.

He said: “We have been very pleased with the incredibly sensible response from our parents who have sent their children into school and have been very level headed about it.

“We have sent out advice about maintaining levels of personal hygiene, making sure children wash their hands and general advice about keeping children safe from germs.

He added: “One of the important things from our point of view is that we give people clear information about the situation and let them know it’s business as usual in the same way as when children contract ordinary flu in the winter.

“It is manageable and we will carry on as usual.”

Headteacher of Prince of Wales School Peter Farrington said that nobody had been diagnosed with swine flu at his school but said he had heard of several unconfirmed cases in other schools in the area.

He said the school had sent out information to parents informing them of the situation and, as far as he was aware, other local schools were doing the same.

Mr Farrington said: “All of the local schools are acting very much on advice we have received from the NHS and the Government as we have done since the issue first came up.

“This is just updated advice from the NHS and keeping parents informed about the local situation.

“I understand there are a small number of students, parents or staff with unconfirmed diagnoses of swine flu.”

Assistant headteacher of the Thomas Hardye School Richard Wheal said the school had not had any confirmed cases of the flu but has sent a letter out to pupils and parents with advice on general hygiene.

He said: “We have sent a letter home saying that there is a possibility students at the school may get it, although no cases have been confirmed.

“We are not sending anybody home because it’s in the community and you are as likely to catch it at home as at school.

“This is general advice to say there is no need to panic.”

There was mixed reaction amongst parents at Damers First School to the news the school would stay open after a pupil was diagnosed with swine flu.

Tanya Tattershall, who has two children at the school, said she had doubts about keeping the school open.

She said: “It’s quite scary. One of my little girls has got asthma and has had a few problems with her chest anyway.

“I spoke to the GP and he said swine flu is just something going round and there was not a lot we could do.

“I don’t really think it’s sensible keeping it open but if you don’t send them you end up in trouble if you don’t have a good reason. I would have thought it was better to close the school.”

Paul Bascombe, though, said he felt his daughter was just as likely to catch the condition outside of school. He said: “I’m not that worried about it, it’s only one case and they should keep the school open.”

Zoe Mason, who has a son at the school, said: “I am concerned but if everyone else is sending their kids in it can’t be that much of a problem.

“It’s all a bit blown out of proportion but obviously you don’t want your own kids to get it.”

Another parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “I don’t have a problem with them keeping the school open, you can’t hide from it. We are all concerned but not to a degree where you would lock your child away.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(15)