A PRIMARY school in East Cambridgeshire has been forced to close after two more cases of swine flu were confirmed. The Health Protection Agency confirmed that two more cases of the H1N1 flu virus had been diagnosed in Year 4 pupils at Burwell Village Coll

A PRIMARY school in East Cambridgeshire has been forced to close after two more cases of swine flu were confirmed.

The Health Protection Agency confirmed that two more cases of the H1N1 flu virus had been diagnosed in Year 4 pupils at Burwell Village College (primary) following the announcement of a case on Wednesday (June 17).

Health authorities together with headteacher of the school Nicholas Smith, took the decision to close the school from Thursday morning (June 18) to protect more children from contracting the virus.

The school is expected to stay closed until June 25 while those who have contracted the virus are treated.

News that a child in the school had tested positive for swine-flu was revealed to parents in a letter issued by the school on Tuesday evening (June 16).

The letter, as well as confirming that a child had contracted the virus, warned parents that if their child started to display any 'flu-like' symptoms they should remain at home and contact their GP.

A spokeswoman for the Health Protection Agency saidFollowing a further risk assessment carried out by the Health Protection Agency, NHS Cambridgeshire and the headteacher, as a precaution Burwell Village College Primary School has been advised to close temporarily with immediate effect for a period of seven days.

Following a further risk assessment carried out by the Health Protection Agency, NHS Cambridgeshire and the headteacher, as a precaution Burwell Village College Primary School has been advised to close temporarily with immediate effect for a period of seven days.

Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health at NHS Cambridgeshire said:

“There are simple steps that everyone can take to protect themselves from viral infections, based on good respiratory and hand hygiene. The advice is as follows:

• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue

when possible

• disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully

• maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with

soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to

other people

• cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning

product

• making sure your children follow this advice.

“If people are concerned because they are developing influenza like symptoms or have been to Mexico the US and have symptoms, stay at home, call your GP or contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or via the web at www.nhs.uk.”

“NHS Cambridgeshire has robust plans in place to tackle Swine flu and is closely monitoring the situation with the Health Protection Agency and the Strategic Health Authority.”