Pupils sent home after teacher tests positively for swine flu

Jun 17 2009 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

PUPILS from Carluke High School were sent home as a precaution last week – after a music instructor tested positive for swine flu.

It is understood all of the youngsters are now back in class but NHS Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Council are not answering questions about how many were involved.

The health board and local authority say considerations over data protection prevent them from releasing details like how many pupils from Carluke High were involved and their ages.

Every parent at the school was sent a letter advising them of the situation.

A statement issued by the health board last week said that 41 pupils at four schools in South Lanarkshire had been sent home after being around a music instructor with Influenza A(H1N1).

In last week’s statement Dr David Cromie, Consultant in Public Health Medicine for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “A music instructor who has taught pupils at four South Lanarkshire schools has tested positive as a confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1).

“We have identified 41 pupils who have been in close proximity to the instructor and, as a precautionary measure, the children involved have been advised not to return to school until the start of next week.

“The schools the children attend are St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School and Calderglen High School in East Kilbride, Carluke High School and Craighead School in Hamilton.

“All parents and carers of the pupils at each of the schools have been provided with advice and guidance on what they should do if their child develops flu-like symptoms.

“However, there is no requirement for any family contacts of the 41 children to be excluded from school, college or work.

“The schools remain open and all other staff and children have been advised to attend as normal.

“NHS Lanarkshire is working closely with South Lanarkshire Council and Health Protection Scotland and would like to reassure parents, pupils and staff that the risk of developing an infection are low.”

The advice is that anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay at home to limit contact with others and should seek medical advice from their GP, or call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.