Schools on alert for spread of swine flu
Saturday September 12 2009
Schools around the country should expect more outbreaks of swine flu in the coming weeks and months, a Health Service Executive doctor warned yesterday.
Dr Diarmuid O'Donovan, a director of public health, issued the warning after another school was struck by swine flu yesterday, leaving six pupils ill with the virus.
Calasanctius College in Oranmore, however, will remain open although the advice to any pupil with possible flu symptoms is to stay at home until they are well.
All of the six pupils have been isolated from the rest of their classmates and are understood to be recovering well.
The outbreak at the Oranmore college follows confirmation in the last 48 hours that two Co Cavan schools have also been hit by the swine flu virus.
Both Laragh national school and the secondary school Breifne College in Cavan continued to have large numbers of children absent with the illness yesterday.
A team of public health specialists visited Calasanctius College yesterday and briefed the staff of 70. The co-educational school has over 700 students. Principal Joe Harrison later confirmed that it had been decided to remain open for classes.
All prescribed measures, including the provision of tissues, sanitising gel and bins, had been implemented before the student population returned from summer holidays.
The parents of all students received a letter from the school advising them to keep their children at home if they showed signs of having swine flu.
Parents
Local Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, who has a son in Junior Cert class, said the outbreak was a cause of serious concern for all parents.
"While we know that swine flu is a worldwide pandemic, its effects become very apparent when you realise it is at your own son's school.
"It is worrying for students, parents and teachers and reminds us of how vigilant we need to be,'' said Sen Healy Eames.
Dr O'Donovan said public health officials would continue to work closely with the school.
- BRIAN McDONALD and EILISH O'REGAN
