First case of Swine Flu confirmed in Kintyre

[Kintyre Forum News]

I was going to re-write this article but thought it was best to copy aof the article from the Courier today which can be found on-line at http://www.campbeltowncourier.co.uk/new ... ammar.html

KINTYRE has had it first case of swine flu confirmed this week.

A student at Campbeltown Grammar School has been confirmed as having influenza A (H1N1) commonly known as swine flu; the school has also had a larger number of youngsters off ill than usual, with flu-like symptoms.

But unlike earlier this year in June when swine flu hit pupils at schools in Cowal there were no plans this week to send pupils home as The Courier went to press, but a close eye is being kept on the matter.

An Argyll and Bute Council spokeswoman told The Courier: ‘We understand that one Campbeltown Grammar pupil has been swabbed and found to be a confirmed case and another is suspected.

‘A letter is now being drawn up for all parents, informing them of the situation and advising them what to do should their child display any flu-like symptoms.

‘A number of pupils at Campbeltown Grammar have been off recently with flu-like symptoms. Many of them have since returned to school, and the absence rate is currently only marginally above average.

‘The school is following the guidance issued by the relevant authorities, and continues to monitor the situation closely.’

In June Toward Primary School closed for a week as a precaution after a confirmed case; S3 pupils at Dunoon Grammar School were sent home in June as well, as were pupils at Kirn Primary.

In Scotland here have been seven deaths linked to swine flu since the start of the outbreak.

Health Protection Scotland’s latest figures estimate that around 3,336 people have contracted H1N1 in the past week across the country.

NHS Highland is advising people who have flu-like symptoms to phone their GP or call NHS 24 on 0845 4 24 24 24. People are being urged not to go to a GP surgery or A and E department at hospital unless they have been advised to do so or are seriously ill.