The Mystery Illnes: Now it is the Turn of Huddersfield Schools
Richard Porritt
The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
ic Huddersfield.co.uk
_____________________
Huddersfield (UK):
More than 240 pupils - or 70% - at the infant school and 50 at the neighbouring junior school were today at home.
Both schools are staying open but are running with skeletal staff. At the infant school, six of the 15 teachers were ill.
Sue Drake, head at Lindley Infant, contacted Public Health when children started being sick at school.
She added: "I have never known anything like this. You do get bugs at this time of year but I have not known anything that has spread so quickly.
"On Tuesday we had a number of pupils off but it was not until five were taken ill in the afternoon we decided we needed to contact public health.
"They have been in and taken some samples. We have been disinfecting door handles and surfaces.
"We have also been encouraging all the pupils and staff to regularly wash their hands."
The Infants have now postponed Saturday's planned Harvest Festival celebrations.
Lindley Junior School head Pat Thompson said: "We have been told to tell parents if children are unwell they must stay at home.
"This infection will spread like wildfire if we give it the chance.
"We are hoping the quick response of both schools will mean the bug will be beaten very soon."
Sue Lord, spokeswoman for Kirklees Education Service, confirmed the bug was not dangerous but efforts must be made to contain it.
Oct 14, 2005
Richard Porritt
The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
ic Huddersfield.co.uk
_____________________
Huddersfield (UK):
More than 240 pupils - or 70% - at the infant school and 50 at the neighbouring junior school were today at home.
Both schools are staying open but are running with skeletal staff. At the infant school, six of the 15 teachers were ill.
Sue Drake, head at Lindley Infant, contacted Public Health when children started being sick at school.
She added: "I have never known anything like this. You do get bugs at this time of year but I have not known anything that has spread so quickly.
"On Tuesday we had a number of pupils off but it was not until five were taken ill in the afternoon we decided we needed to contact public health.
"They have been in and taken some samples. We have been disinfecting door handles and surfaces.
"We have also been encouraging all the pupils and staff to regularly wash their hands."
The Infants have now postponed Saturday's planned Harvest Festival celebrations.
Lindley Junior School head Pat Thompson said: "We have been told to tell parents if children are unwell they must stay at home.
"This infection will spread like wildfire if we give it the chance.
"We are hoping the quick response of both schools will mean the bug will be beaten very soon."
Sue Lord, spokeswoman for Kirklees Education Service, confirmed the bug was not dangerous but efforts must be made to contain it.
Oct 14, 2005
