Pupils in swine flu bug alert

Jun 17 2009 by Graham Mann, East Kilbride News

PUPILS from two East Kilbride high schools are at the centre of a swine flu scare after a teacher was diagnosed with the virus.

Youngsters at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High and Calderglen High were sent home on Thursday as a precaution and although both schools returned to normal on Monday the News understands some parents are keeping their children away.

A total of 41 pupils from four schools in South Lanarkshire were told to stay at home after attending a lesson with a peripatetic guitar teacher who was later diagnosed with Influenza A (H1N1).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) elevated the virus to Pandemic Alert Level 6 last week and just days later the virus claimed its first victim when mum Jacqui Fleming died after giving birth prematurely.

Her son Jack, who was born 11 weeks early, died on Monday in a special care baby unit at the same hospital. The baby was not infected with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

However, although the number of confirmed cases has continued to rise across the globe, with 14 confirmed cases in Lanarkshire at the latest count, health authorities are continuing to insist that Scotland remains amongst the best prepared countries in the world to deal with pandemic flu.

Dr David Cromie, consultant in Public Health Medicine, NHS Lanarkshire, said on Thursday, last week: “All parents and carers of the pupils at each of the schools have been provided with advice and guidance on what they should do if their child develops flu-like symptoms. However, there is no requirement for any family contacts of the children to be excluded from school. The schools remain open and all other staff and children have been advised to attend as normal.

“NHS Lanarkshire is working closely with South Lanarkshire Council and Health Protection Scotland and would like to reassure parents, pupils and staff that the risk of developing an infection is low.”

But it seems some parents are not prepared to send their children to school when there is the risk, no matter how small, of contracting the virus.

One mum, whose 14-year-old daughter attends Calderglen said: “My daughter was in school as normal on Monday but there were only about seven kids in the class as opposed to the usual 16 or 17 pupils.

“I can understand why some parents will be nervous about the situation and tell their kids to stay at home but I’m trying to keep things in perspective. At the end of the day it’s just another version of the flu. It’s important to remember that many people die from common flu every year and while it’s important to take precautions I don’t see any need to panic.”

An SLC spokeswoman put the lower than usual attendance figures down to exams, saying: “Attendance figures can fluctuate at this time of the year especially following exams.”

Elsewhere in the town, a member of staff at Debenhams has also tested positive but management were at pains to reassure customers and staff that all the appropriate health and safety guidelines have been followed.

A spokesman for the store said: “One member of staff has been confirmed as having swine flu. All staff have been briefed in line with Health and Safety Executive guidelines. Anyone who may be suffering from flu-like symptoms has been told to go home and contact their doctor.

“If any pregnant member of staff does not feel comfortable working then they too have been allowed to stay away. A couple of people have reported having flu-like symptoms but tests have come back negative. We believe this is an isolated incident. The store will remain open and staff are being given regular updates.”

Anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay at home to limit contact with others and should seek medical advice from their GP or NHS 24 on 08454 242424.