Swine 'flu cases in Ashbourne school

Four cases of swine 'flu were confirmed at Ashbourne Community College last week after the HSE tested a number of students for the virus. A number of students who were showing symptoms of swine 'flu were tested and four cases were confirmed positive. However, the school is functioning as normal. School principal Aine O'Sullivan said four cases had been confirmed but said they were not a cluster in one class but in different classes and years in the school. She said that school is continuing to function as normal and that they are asking parents to watch out for symptoms. Ms Sullivan said the parents in the school had been very good and supportive. A spokesperson for the HSE said they had been working closely with the school principal, teachers and pupils in a school in Meath to minimise the risk of the spread of the 'flu. Based on advice from the HSE Public Health Department, the school will continue to function as normal. A number of steps are being implemented to prevent the spread of flu within the school, including parents being informed, the HSE public health team being made available to advise the school at all times students and staff will be monitored for symptoms suggestive of 'flu and persons with 'flu-like illness will be sent home as soon as possible. Staff or students affected by 'flu have been informed that they should stay at home for seven days from onset date even if they feel better sooner and measures to improve school hygiene have been further strengthened to minimise the risk of transmission. Staff or pupils in at-risk groups for complications of 'flu (at-risk groups include pregnant women, persons with chronic medical conditions - respiratory, heart, kidney, liver, neurological disease, immune-suppression, diabetes mellitus, haemoglobinopathies, severely obese, persons on treatment for asthma) should continue to attend school as normal but should seek medical advice as soon as possible if they develop symptoms of 'flu. The HSE says there is no need for family contacts of cases to stay away from work or school unless they themselves develop symptoms. Dr Peter Finnegan, specialist in public health medicine, said on Thursday: "A number of cases have arisen in the school over the past few days. Teachers and parents should be reassured that the vast majority of cases are mild. The children are being treated at home and will return to school after seven days. The HSE Public Health Team will continue to work closely with the schools and is available to advise schools at all times. Parents of pupils attending school are advised not to send children to school if they are sick. Children who are sick should be kept at home for seven days from the onset of symptoms. Any child who is sick at school will be sent home. Staying at home when sick will allow a child to rest and allows carers to monitor their health closely. It also protects other children and staff members especially those at higher risk of severe illness from 'flu." Last week, one third class pupil at St Mary's NS in Trim was diagnosed with swine 'flu and it is understood that schools across the county are seeing varying levels of absenteeism as the virus becomes more prevalent.