School reassures parents over flu case

Staff at a Tiverton primary school have reassured parents after a child was taken to hospital suffering from influenza.

In a letter sent to parents yesterday, they explained measures Tidcombe Primary School had taken since an “influenza-like illness” had been reported.

It said: “As not everyone was able to attend the meeting which was scheduled at short notice yesterday afternoon, we wanted to summarise the advice to parents and outline the actions which have been taken by the school to date.

“Today we have been able to confirm that one of the chil- dren who attended hospital with flu-like symptoms has tested positive for Influenza A. Although this does not mean that all children with similar symptoms definitely have flu, we are confident that it is circulating at the school.

“The actions taken by the school so far are appropriate for controlling the spread of influenza. In summary, these include: communicating with parents and staff to raise awareness and provide advice; recording pupil absence, including information about reported symptoms, and sharing this information with Public Health England; excluding symptomatic children and staff from school until they are unlikely to be infectious (five days following the onset of symptoms or 24 hours after the end of symptoms, whichever is later); encouraging and emphasising good respiratory and hand hygiene for all children, staff and visitors, including use of posters as well as verbal advice.”

They added: “As parents, you can help to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza within the school by reinforcing hygiene messages with your children and ensuring that they comply with exclusion advice from the school.”