Six town schools hit by swine flu (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Six town schools hit by swine flu
11:10am Thursday 9th July 2009 in
SIX Swindon schools were last night suspected of falling victim to swine flu – but Swindon Council has refused to name half of them.
Dorcan Technology College has told parents a school employee has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.
Parents of children at Goddard Park Primary School have also been informed a pupil is being treated for flu-like symptoms.
The Adver reported yesterday that a support worker at Swindon Academy was suspected of having the virus.
A Swindon Council spokesman said: “Goddard Park and Dorcan have confirmed cases.
“There are four schools with suspected cases, but we can’t release the names of those schools until we can be sure that each school has had the opportunity to inform parents directly.”
Parents have reacted with a mixture of shock and disbelief to news that the virus has affected their children’s schools.
Kathy Lovegrove, whose 12-year-old son Jamie attends Dorcan Technology College and suffers from epilepsy, said: “I was quite shocked to hear about swine flu at the school.
“You hear about it on the news happening elsewhere but you always think it is never going to happen here.”
Mrs Lovegrove, 42, of Marlowe Avenue, Park North, said: “I am so worried as colds and stomach bugs trigger off his epilepsy. I am concerned about sending him to school. I don’t know whether it is one of his teachers or not.”
A mother-of-four, whose children are pupils at Goddard Park Primary School, said: “I have friends who are refusing to send their children to school.
“As parents we need guidelines. Of course I am worried as the last thing I need is swine flu in the house.
“I am trying to be sensible about it but many people can’t believe the school is not closed.”
Scott Sissons, headteacher of the technology college, in Welcombe Avenue, sent letters to parents informing them of the issue on Tuesday.
On the same day Goddard Park head Mike Welsh told parents: “As a result of being unwell, a child at Goddard Park is now being treated with Tamiflu, the drug used to treat swine flu.
“Having taken advice, we have decided to keep the school open as normal.”
Goddard Park operational head Beverley Mann refused to confirm the suspected case of swine flu at the school when the Adver spoke to her yesterday.
Comments(30)
localgirl80
says...
11:58am Thu 9 Jul 09
fairyfluff
says...
12:00pm Thu 9 Jul 09
yeti
says...
12:48pm Thu 9 Jul 09
e going mad over a bug!
it is a mild form of flu which is doing the rounds,just like the flu does in winter.it has been totally blown out of proportion by the media,and alot of the public are overreacting as usual.
if you are going to get it,you are going to get it.only not going out your door or letting anyone in or out will protect you.
fairyfluff
says...
1:01pm Thu 9 Jul 09
yeti wrote:Yes you are right, but this flu like all flu can be very serious to those that have underlying health issues.
this is unbelievable.everyon e going mad over a bug! it is a mild form of flu which is doing the rounds,just like the flu does in winter.it has been totally blown out of proportion by the media,and alot of the public are overreacting as usual. if you are going to get it,you are going to get it.only not going out your door or letting anyone in or out will protect you.
I dont tend to worry about seasonal flu as there is a vaccine available that my son has every year - as yet the vaccine for swine flu is not available.
Purlieu
says...
1:13pm Thu 9 Jul 09
yeti
says...
1:15pm Thu 9 Jul 09
fairyfluff wrote:i sympathise with your situation.i was refering to the publics overeaction in general.this has been whipped up by the media who are scaremongering.
yeti wrote: this is unbelievable.everyon e going mad over a bug! it is a mild form of flu which is doing the rounds,just like the flu does in winter.it has been totally blown out of proportion by the media,and alot of the public are overreacting as usual. if you are going to get it,you are going to get it.only not going out your door or letting anyone in or out will protect you.Yes you are right, but this flu like all flu can be very serious to those that have underlying health issues. I dont tend to worry about seasonal flu as there is a vaccine available that my son has every year - as yet the vaccine for swine flu is not available.
trustnopolitician
says...
1:59pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Absolutely correct.
Anyone with a weakened immune system needs to avoid infections
Some necessary Medical treatments (in particular for Cancer) weaken immune systems. Medical advice is to avoid contact with infection.
How the hell can anyone do that if we aren't told where infections are ,when so called responsible officials have that knowledge.
No confidence in this council whatsoever. Uncaring, self centred egotists. I'm OK Jack attitude.
Advocatus Diaboli
says...
2:28pm Thu 9 Jul 09
“as yet the vaccine for swine flu is not available”
Yes it is – Tamiflu
The influenza virus has a gene that is responsible for making a protein called neuraminidase which helps the virus to escape the cell it has just infected so it can attack another cell in the body. Tamiflu is a drug that blocks the action of neuraminidase and so inhibits the spread of flu virus from one cell to another.
In the case of the H1N1 strain of swine flu, a vaccine would stimulate the production of virus-fighting particles, or antibodies, directed against the haemagglutinin (H) proteins found on the surface of the virus. Once a person has been inoculated, the immune system will be primed to fight a real infection of the H1N1 strain when it comes along.
Advocatus Diaboli
says...
2:28pm Thu 9 Jul 09
“as yet the vaccine for swine flu is not available”
Yes it is – Tamiflu
The influenza virus has a gene that is responsible for making a protein called neuraminidase which helps the virus to escape the cell it has just infected so it can attack another cell in the body. Tamiflu is a drug that blocks the action of neuraminidase and so inhibits the spread of flu virus from one cell to another.
In the case of the H1N1 strain of swine flu, a vaccine would stimulate the production of virus-fighting particles, or antibodies, directed against the haemagglutinin (H) proteins found on the surface of the virus. Once a person has been inoculated, the immune system will be primed to fight a real infection of the H1N1 strain when it comes along.
swindonistani
says...
2:54pm Thu 9 Jul 09
tell me, in my washing powder packet did you get your Doctorate from?
Advocatus Diaboli
says...
3:12pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Well, undoubtedly not from the same place that you obtained your grammar skills. You innate philistine!
anyonemoose
says...
3:57pm Thu 9 Jul 09
So 6 schools suspected you say at first, then you say a Swindon Council spokesperson confirmed 2 cases and 4 schools with suspected cases. Oh this must be the half not confirmed ^^
Where does Swindon academy come into these numbers? Which has sent letters out to parents.
Maybe this is why I no longer buy the Evening Advertiser as your headlines are deceiving and your mathematics terrible!!!!!
Bobfm
says...
5:57pm Thu 9 Jul 09
http://www.lsu.com/P
ubSafety/oes.nsf/$Co
ntent/homepage/$file
/SWINE_FLU.pdf
The DoH advice is that schools should remain open, we are into the treatment stage, there is no longer any pretence that it is containable. The Secretary of State said last week that by August there would be 100,000 cases a day, although this appears to have been watered down to a week. Either way there will be loads. There will be 60 million antiviral doses available by Christmas, although we may be forced to hand over some of these to other countries.
I would suggest fluffy seek medical advice. As one of a vulnerable the antivirals can be given now as a precaution.
But others are right this is now categorised as no more serious than mild flu and not even in the category of seasonal flu.
The facts are out there just seek them out rather than panic.
x-shhhh-x
says...
6:24pm Thu 9 Jul 09
i know for a fact that a secondary school has had two pupils with symptoms of swine flu but hasn't therefore alerted the rest of the school community which i think is Horrendous to be honest !
linnyonline
says...
6:34pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Mum's The Word
says...
6:40pm Thu 9 Jul 09
The schools that I know with suspected or confirmed cases are The Accademy, Goddark Park Primary School, Lainesmead School and Dorcan School. I know for a fact that schools are working hard at keeping parents informed and doing everything that they possibly can to prevent it spreading, including using hand gel.
As we all know germs spread like wildfire around kids and all we can do is hope for the best and that if our kids do get it then they are healthy enough to shake it off quickly (children are very resilient).
Obviously in Fairy Fluff's case it is worrying and I hope that she and her family stay healthy. I have all my lot on a vitamin tonic to help boost their immune systems, whether it helps or not remains to be seen.
Bobfm
says...
7:36pm Thu 9 Jul 09
The Government at least have been honest that it is not going away any time soon, and it is interesting that Mexico also has H1N1, human variant.
So how many cases are actually H1N1 Swine flu here given that as I understand it there is no rush to do tests any longer.
Mum's The Word
says...
8:57pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Why are they no longer anxious to do tests and just seem to be providing everyone who has a temp of over 38 degrees with Tamiflu? It seems mad. Are the tests too expensive? Kids get temperatures all the time. By not testing, it seems that the government are causing mass hysteria. How many worried parents are there going to be out there with a child who has a temp, thinking it's swine flu when actually it's just a childhood fever which is quite common? What are the side effects of tamiflu? It would seem that if the nhs continue on with this method then it will be taken in many cases (especially in children) unnecessarily.
Bobfm
says...
8:19am Fri 10 Jul 09
Tamiflu is a well tried and tested antiviral which if the literature is true has no discernable side effects. So much better to give it just in case than perhaps wait with the risk of a more severe outcome.
There also is absolutely no need for all this hysteria, it is not a killer disease for the vast majority and the sooner the public wake up to that the sooner life can get back to normal.
But I guess some just live their lives in a state of constant panic.
Corking
says...
9:34am Fri 10 Jul 09
We all ready give out countless billions a year to help other countries whilst letting our own fall on it's knee's why don't we just give it all away and really screw ourselves over!
trustnopolitician
says...
11:20am Fri 10 Jul 09
When I phoned the Council on Thursday to establish which schools have suspected cases I was phoned back by a very rude woman who put the phone down on me when I tried to question her about it.
Eventually I was contacted by a person who to some extend repaired the damage by giving the information I requested. Not requested as panic but a relative has very real issues regarding immune system.
Training in phone manners is desperately needed and more importantly understanding that they are there to serve the taxpayer.
Bobfm
says...
12:37pm Fri 10 Jul 09
However whilst not wishing to condone the rudeness shown to you, I should imagine the council had been inundated with calls as a result of this article.
Perhaps if only those who have underlying conditions or their parents were to ring, the response may have been different.
As always though there are those who simply do not listen to the information put out to inform and advise.
Having type 2 diabetes and being considered vulnerable I make a point of keeping informed. It simply makes sense to do so.
swindonmum
says...
2:25pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Bobfm
says...
6:51pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Cos it's in Swindon doesn't make it different.
swindonmum
says...
12:46pm Sat 11 Jul 09
Ankh
says...
3:04pm Sat 11 Jul 09
"This article was as accurate as the reporter could possibly make it! Try writing an accurate report when you are given conflicting information or no information at all. Would we rather have no report due to difficulties in gaining accurate information? I'm sure people would soon moan if swine flu was not reported on at all."
How the hell do you know how accurate the report is? Are you a reporter, do know things we dont?
Your obviously an authority on the subject.
Your not related to Radio Bob FM are you?
Bobfm
says...
9:13am Sun 12 Jul 09
It is clear in the article that the reporter had clearly been told that 6 schools were involved, but only two had confirmed it at the time the article was written, therefore 'Mums' comments were perfectly logical on the facts as presented, but of course you would have had to read the article to have realised that. Just easier to attack all insundry isn't it.
Ankh
says...
9:50am Sun 12 Jul 09
Were you with the reporter when "the facts" were presented. Do you always believe what you read in the paper? You have no right to tell me that I'm incorrect.
Now get off your PC and get back to work, haven't you got a pub to run?
Bobfm
says...
6:51pm Sun 12 Jul 09
The anti-inflammatory benefits of nicotine reveal the inflammatory basis of many unexpected diseases. Nicotine withdrawal is severe, partly because it leads to rebound release of inflammatory cytokines, inflammation and inflammatory disease symptoms that include depression and obesity. Smoking cessation may contribute to more severe symptoms of H1N1 infections.
http://diseases-viru
ses.suite101.com/art
icle.cfm/nicotine_an
tiinflammatory_h1n1_
cure#ixzz0L4Jur5Yu&D
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Esk says...
11:49am Thu 9 Jul 09