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School swine flu hits 50 people School swine flu hits 50 people
(about 1 hour later)
Fifty cases of swine flu among children and adults connected with a Birmingham primary school are being treated. Fifty children and adults connected with a Birmingham primary school are now being treated for swine flu.
Forty-four new cases linked to Welford School in Handsworth, which is closed for half-term, have been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency. Forty-four new cases of the disease, linked to Welford School in Handsworth, have been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency.
The agency said that of the total, 45 were children and five were adults, including at least one teacher. The agency said that of the total, 45 were children and five were adults, including at least one teacher. The number of cases is expected to rise.
A girl was the first confirmed case. The outbreak is the single largest outbreak of the virus in the UK. It is the single largest outbreak of the virus in the UK.
The total number of cases in the West Midlands region is now 57.The total number of cases in the West Midlands region is now 57.
There are now 184 confirmed cases in the UK.There are now 184 confirmed cases in the UK.
Closed early You wonder how it got to the school - I really am nervous Donna Pendley, parent
The school closed on Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled, after a higher than normal number of illnesses was noted. The 420-pupil school is closed for the half-term holiday. It closed on Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled, after a higher than normal number of illnesses was noted.
A statement issued by the school at the time said the school would have a "deep-clean" during the holiday.A statement issued by the school at the time said the school would have a "deep-clean" during the holiday.
It said it had also been aware there had a been a higher number of absences due to illness than usual which is why the Department of Health advised it to close a day early. The school was informed on Thursday evening that one of those taken ill was a confirmed case of swine flu.
The school was later informed, on Thursday evening, that one of the cases was confirmed to be swine flu. All parents and staff were contacted and asked to collect anti-viral drugs.
All parents and staff had been contacted and asked to come to the school to collect medication or to get treatment at home, the statement said.
Strategy workingStrategy working
Donna Pendley, whose nine-year-old son Kenyjah attends the school said Tamiflu had been given to him, but not to her or her two-year-old daughter.
She said: "We got the leaflet about swine flu some time ago, but when it appears in your area it makes you nervous.
"You wonder how it got to the school, how did it get to Birmingham and Handsworth?
"I am nervous, I really am nervous."
A Department of Health spokesman said: "The localised cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been mild, and we have not seen evidence of widespread community transmission.A Department of Health spokesman said: "The localised cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been mild, and we have not seen evidence of widespread community transmission.
"Our strategy of containing the spread with anti-virals appears to have been effective in reducing symptoms and preventing further spread of infection."Our strategy of containing the spread with anti-virals appears to have been effective in reducing symptoms and preventing further spread of infection.
"But we must not be complacent - it is right to prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic."But we must not be complacent - it is right to prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic.
"The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection.""The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection."