Swine virus teacher’s school will stay open

Parents of pupils at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Winchester were told it would be business as normal following the confirmation of the substitute teacher having contracted the disease.

It is the first confirmed case of the illness in the city after three lecturers at Winchester University with suspected swine flu were given the all-clear last week.

A member of staff is understood to have tested positive for the influenza A type H1N1 virus last Thursday.

A school spokesman said she has been sent home where she is believed to be taking a preventative course of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

In a letter sent to hundreds of parents, head teacher Catherine Howells said that a risk assessment has already been taken out by the Health Protection Agency and that no other actions were needed at this time. She said: “The school will remain open and the HPA recommends that children attend if they are well.

“As at all times, we recommend that children with illness including fever remain at home until they have recovered fully and remind you of the other hygiene measures to reduce the spread of infection in schools and outside.”

Parents have been advised to cover nose and mouths when sneezing, get rid of dirty tissues, wash hands with soap and water and clean hard surfaces.

A parent of a pupil at the school on Oliver’s Battery Road North, who wished to remain anonymous, said the teacher had been in contact with pupils but it is not known if any youngsters have suspected swine flu.

The parent said: “I was initially concerned but have spoken to the doctors and I’ve been told that most people who catch swine flu have very mild symptoms and it is similar to normal flu. I’m not worried now.

“There is at least one other member of staff who is off sick with the same symptoms.”

The news comes as the number of confirmed cases across Hampshire has more than doubled to 65.

The Daily Echo has been unable to contact anyone at St Peter’s for comment.