Updated: More swine flu alerts at Bucks schools
9:33am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in Where I Live By Oliver Evans
Wycombe Abbey school was hit by swine flu
FOUR more Buckinghamshire schools are reporting confirmed or suspected swine flu cases.
One case was confirmed yesterday at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School in Daws Hill Lane, High Wycombe.
Another is confirmed at independent Gayhurst Preparatory School, Bull Lane, Gerrards Cross.
Maltman Green School, Maltmans Lane, Gerrards Cross confirmed one case.
And four sixth formers are suspected of having the virus at Dr Challoner’s High School, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont.
Is your child's school affected? Email bfpnews@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01494 755091.
So far one county state school is confirmed as closed, Pebble Brook School in Aylesbury.
This is because it is a special school and some children have underlying health problems which could make them more vulnerable.
It comes after private Wycombe Abbey school yesterday confirmed three cases with at least 30 more suspected.
A letter was sent from St Augustine’s acting head Nicola Holt yesterday. The school is open today.
It said: “At the beginning of this week, the child concerned became ill with flu-like symptoms and the parents sought medical advice.”
The child is recovering at home, she told Bucks Free Press.
Advice had been sought from Buckinghamshire County Council, the letter says and “schools are not automatically closing because of this”.
Maltman Green School headmistress Joanna Pardon said: "Our main concern is the well-being of all our girls. We are working with parents in a very open and honest way."
Challoner’s headteacher Peg Hulse said: “At the moment we have four pupils who are away from school with flu like symptoms.
“They have been advised to stay at home until their GPs advise them that they are fit.”
A letter has been sent to parents at the sixth form, which has 300 pupils.
Gayhurst headteacher Andrew Sims wrote to parents yesterday.
A statement said: “The symptoms were very mild. “The advice given was that containment was now not possible and the school should continue to operate as normal.”
Nearby private schools have been hit by swine flu, including Eton in Windsor and Stowe School near Buckingham.
Buckinghamshire NHS Primary Care Trust yesterday said there had been 16 cases in Wycombe district, 14 in South Bucks, 17 in Chiltern and 10 in Aylesbury.
Ian Lawrence, spokesman for Buckinghamshire County Council, said: “It is unlikely there will be further school closures.
“If children are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a raised temperature, a cough, runny nose, muscle and joint pain or headache their parents/guardian should contact their family doctor by telephone for advice and keep children away from school.
“If children are not displaying symptoms, they should attend school as normal.”
