Four-year-old diagnose with swine flu while at nursery

by Karl Walderman. Published Mon 15 Jun 2009 16:04, Last updated: 2009-06-17

A four-year-old from Warrington was rushed out of a packed nursery play group after teachers realised they had the symptoms of Swine Flu.

The tot was removed from day nursery at Grappenhall Heys Community Primary School as 65 staff and pupils were given anti-viral treatment as a precaution.

A 40-year-old man who is a close relative to the youngster has also been diagnosed with the virus.

Both have been kept away from the hospital and are receiving treatment at home.

The Health Protection Agency visited the town on Saturday a week after the World Health Organisation raised its Flu alert to the highest level indicating a pandemic.

Headteacher of Grappenhall, Davina Woods, said: "The news that a four year old pupil at our morning nursery class had tested positive for the swine flu infection was very shocking.

"Since then, we have worked together with the local authority, the Health Protection Agency and local NHS Warrington to inform parents and to take appropriate precautionary measures, including providing antiviral medication to anyone who had significant contact with the child.

"Parents have been reassured by our swift action and we had a special assembly this morning to teach children about the importance of good handwashing and safe sneezing.

"We have acted on advice from the Health Protection Agency to keep the school open and we will keep this under constant review. For now, all pupils have turned up as normal and it really is business as usual."

Head of the towns Clinical Leadership Team Dr Andrew Davies, GP, said: "We have taken all reasonable measures to protect children and staff in the school and to reduce the risk of onward transmission of infection."

A spokeswoman for NHS Warrington said: "We can confirm a four year old child in Warrington has tested positive for the new virus H1N1v infection.

"The child became symptomatic whilst attending a day nursery.

"It is understood that the child caught the virus from a confirmed case which contracted the infection abroad and has no association with the school.

"The symptomatic child is being treated with antivirals and is making a good recovery at home. Other close contacts including family members have also been given antivirals.

"As a precautionary measure 65 children and staff who had significant contact with the child are also being given antiviral medication."

Update 17th June: A second child is now being treated for the illness at the same school.





Comments about Four-year-old diagnose with swine flu while at nursery

There are no comments yet on Four-year-old diagnose with swine flu while at nursery. Be the first to leave one, enter your thoughts below.

Post a comment






Alert me of replies

You have characters left


 






















Powered by Click Creative
© All Rights Reserved.