Alleyns School in Dulwich south London has been closed as a "precaution" following confirmation from the Health Protection Agency that 5 cases of swine flu had emerged
The school in a statement on its website said today:
"The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has now informed us that five of the Year 7 pupils that we reported to them as away on Friday have been confirmed as having influenza A type H1N1. Please be reassured that those who are still unwell are receiving antiviral treatment and are recovering at home.
On the instruction of the HPA, the school will be closed with immediate effect from Monday 4th May until Sunday 10th May inclusive."
"As a precautionary measure, the HPA has decided to provide the preventative medicine, Tamiflu, to all staff and pupils at the school. This will take place later this evening at the school, with parents being invited to come in to collect the relevant medication. For the Junior School (the group at least risk) medication will be available tomorrow. The exact time will be displayed here later. Please note that pupils should, if possible, not come into school with parents this evening."
The outbreak at the south London school signals a new turn in the "swine flu" outbreak in the capital with 27 confirmed cases in the UK with the Health Protection Agency in a statement today saying:
"Two cases are adults, from London and the West Midlands. Both of these cases had recently returned from Mexico. Two cases are siblings of school age in London, who are close contacts of a previously confirmed case in a returned traveller to the US.”
Five further cases are of school age from London. These five all attend one school. As a precautionary measure, acting under advice from local health protection experts, the school will remain closed following the bank holiday weekend, initially for seven consecutive days.
All pupils at the school are being offered antivirals as a precautionary measure and advised to monitor their health for like symptoms. There is no need for these individuals to isolate themselves from the community unless they show symptoms."
Mexican violence scaring off touristsAt least 18,000 people have been killed in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon dispatched the army to fight the drug cartels in December of 2006 and the chilling effect on tourism is clear in Tijuana.
