School reopens after bug outbreak

About half of the pupils who are off are suffering from the virus

A primary school in the Isle of Man which closed when a quarter of the pupils fell ill with a sickness bug has now reopened.

The highly-contagious norovirus, often called the winter vomiting virus, affected 70 of the 284 children and five staff at Rushen Primary School.

The school was shut on Friday, and reopened on Monday.

Headteacher Tom Thomson said that 29 pupils were off on Monday - but half of those did not have the sickness bug.

The school was shut to allow a clean-up to prevent any further infections.

No other outbreaks

Parents are advised not to send their children to school if they are suffering any of the symptoms of the virus or until 48 hours after symptoms have ceased.

The symptoms of norovirus infection begin about 12 to 48 hours after a person becomes infected, the Public Health Directorate said.

The illness causes sickness and diarrhoea. Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.

The government said that there are no reports of any large-scale outbreaks of the norovirus at other schools.