Swine flu: School closes after three new cases

Jul 1 2009 by Douglas Dickie, Rutherglen Reformer

A CAMBUSLANG school had to be closed after three pupils caught swine flu.

Health chiefs took the decision to shut St Charles’ Primary School in Newton after confirming the cases on Thursday (June 25).

The decision meant pupils finished for their summer holidays 48 hours early, as NHS Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Concil moved to try and stop the spread of the potentially deadly Influenza A virus.

The St Charles’ outbreak is the second to reach the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area. Two weeks ago a project worker, who had been in contact with several secondary school pupils from the local area, at Universal Connection in Rutherglen was diagnosed with swine flu.

Dr Harpeet Kholi, Director of Public Health and Medicine at NHS Lanarkshire said: “Three pupils at St. Charles Primary School in Newton, Cambuslang, have been confirmed as having influenza A (H1N1).

“Antivirals are being given to the children and staff who have been identified as having sufficient close contact with these pupils as to put them at possible risk of contracting this disease.

“In addition, given that the school was due to close on Friday, a decision has been taken in collaboration with South Lanarkshire Council Education Resources personnel that the school and nursery will close for the summer term today.

“No pupils or children who attend the school should attend until the new school term begins in August.

“This is a precautionary measure to try to reduce the spread of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

“All parents and carers of the pupils at the school have been provided with advice and guidance on what they should do if their child develops flu-like symptoms.”

World health officials have been desperately trying to curb the spread of swine flu since the spread of the virus was first reported in April.

Scotland, has been particularly badly effected with the first death outwith the America’s happening at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The government is now bracing itself for a possible pandemic, with experts working round the clock to create a vaccine.

Dr Kholi added: “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.

“Anyone who is experiencing flu like symptoms should stay at home to limit contact with others and should seek medical advice from their GP (8am-6pm Monday to Friday) or NHS 24 if outwith this period (0845 24 24 24).”

For more information visit NHS 24 (www.nhs24.com), The Scottish Government (www.scotland.gov.uk) or Health Protection Scotland (www.hps.scot.nhs.uk).