Health chiefs' virus warning to North East schools

Public health bosses are working with schools all over the North East after multiple reports of flu and other winter viral illnesses among pupils.

Dr Gayle Dolan, consultant in health protection for Public Health England, said about 60 schools in the

North East had reported absences of children due to symptoms of likely viral illness including influenza and norovirus.

She said: “We expect viral illnesses of this kind to circulate in schools and the community at this time of year and we have been providing advice to parents and schools to help reduce the spread of infection.

“Flu can be extremely unpleasant for young children but for most healthy people it is a self-limiting illness.

“Some people including older people, those with long-term medical conditions or weakened immune systems can be more at risk of developing complications and should seek prompt medical assessment if they develop symptoms of flu.”

She added: “The flu vaccination is the best form of protection we have.

“If they haven’t already had the flu nasal spray, it is important children who are in the clinical risk groups of flu visit their GP as soon as possible to be vaccinated.

“Primary school children should take up the opportunity to be vaccinated when their school vaccination programme begins.

“We also encourage adults in risk groups for flu: including pregnant women, those aged 65 and over and people with long-term medical conditions or weakened immune systems, to book in with their GP or local pharmacy to receive the free vaccine.”