Younger children most affected by flu bug

UP to a quarter of schoolchildren have been struck down by a flu-type illness. Schools are reporting the highest number of absences for many years.

The Education Department said yesterday that no schools had been closed and it would only take such a decision only on the advice of the director of public health.

In Jersey, two schools have been closed after outbreaks of a vomiting and diarrhoea virus. Yesterday they were being disinfected and aired to try and remove any traces of the bug.

'Although we are aware of a number of pupils being off sick, this is not affecting the running of our schools,' said an Education spokesman.

Lead infection control nurse Elaine Burgess said she had been informed by the Health Protection Authority in England that there was currently a major outbreak of flu-like symptoms among five- to 14-year-olds, rising from 24 per 100,000 in mid-January to 42 per 100,000 at the end of the month.

It was most likely to be a B-type virus, she said.

Many adults would already have had it in younger life and so would have lifelong immunity to this particular strain.

Additionally, the current Hong Kong virus is genetically similar to the Shanghai one contained in the vaccine used to protect older and more vulnerable people, she added.

Director of public health Dr David Jeffs said there seemed to be a similar outbreak every two or three years, though the severity seemed to have been declining.

'As in past outbreaks, younger children who have never been exposed to flu are more likely to develop symptoms. This is not a bad thing in that they, like much of the adult population, will then develop long-term immunity against that particular strain,' he said.

'We are currently liaising with GPs and the A&E department at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital to take virological specimens to confirm that this is the same strain that is affecting schools in England.'

'There is definitely an epidemic,' said Grammar School head teacher Dennis Balls.

Last week about 80 pupils were ill each day and an average of about 65 this week.

'This is only really affecting the younger ones '11- to 16-year-olds' and the older age group '16 to 18' don't seem to be affected,' he said.

It started off with Years 8 and 9 and developed in Years 7 and 11.

'It appears to be highly contagious and it's taking people longer than usual to get over, up to a week. This bug is taking three or four days at least to go,' said Mr Balls.

'I can't remember it being quite as bad as this for three or four years.'

Ladies' College has had about 50 girls off daily due to illness over the past three weeks - with the highest being 62 on one day.

Some have been vomiting, but the majority have had bronchial problems and chesty coughs. About 45 girls were absent yesterday.

Illness at Blanchelande Girls' College started three weeks ago.

At its worst, 20% of pupils were off and the it was a severe problem for two weeks, but now only an average number of pupils are off.

'By and large they were off for much longer than normal, five days on average, and the usual illness was accompanied by a nasty headache and sore throat,' said principal Lesley Le Page.

'Numbers are going back up now and we've got an average amount of illness for this time of year,' she said.

At St Peter Port School, the highest number of absentees was last week and at one stage there were up to six staff off.

'It's not as bad as it was. We have passed the worst,' said head teacher Ken Wheeler.

Yesterday was the worst since the new term started at La Mare de Carteret Primary School - with about 30 youngsters staying away.

Some had high temperatures and other children and four staff had the sickness bug.

Deputy head Diane Hand said letters had been sent home to parents giving advice from the school nurse about what to do if they get the sickness bug.

'The advice was to stay away for 48 hours from the last time they were sick,' she said.

They were also told to wash their hands regularly and to bleach door handles - which was being undertaken at the school also.

'The doctors have said it was a gastric flu - we are thinking it's contagious,' said Mrs Hand.

A fact sheet has been produced for schools detailing measures which should be taken against flu which is being distributed through school nurses.