Pupil swine flu case shuts school

A Stoke-on-Trent primary school has been closed for seven days after a pupil was diagnosed with swine flu.

St Paul's Primary School's head teacher Sandra Hearson said the Year 2 pupil had a "very mild" case of the virus.

She said the decision to close was taken after speaking to the Health Protection Agency.

Health chiefs said everyone who had been in contact with the child had been assessed and given the necessary medicine if needed.

'Preventative measure'

The school, which has 171 children and 29 in its nursery, has sent letters to parents explaining the closure.

Ms Hearson said: "We are very thankful for the support of parents, they have reacted very positively and understand that there is no need to panic.

"The decision to close is purely for the safety of our children and has been taken as a preventive measure."

Giri Rajaratnam, director of public health for Stoke-on-Trent, said anyone who suspected their child or themselves had swine flu should stay at home and contact NHS Direct.

There are now 2,308 confirmed cases of swine flu in the West Midlands region after 204 were diagnosed on Tuesday.

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