Vomiting virus shuts city schools

A Bradford school has been closed and four others partially shut after an outbreak of a winter vomiting virus.

High Crags Primary School in Shipley closed on Friday but is being cleaned by environmental health teams and is expected to re-open on Monday.

Both staff and pupils have been hit by the bug - symptoms of which include vomiting, high fevers and diarrhoea.

The city council said four other schools in the city had been partially closed on Friday after the outbreak.

Partial closure meant the closure of affected buildings only, while the rest of the school remained open, the council said.

Spread restricted

A spokeswoman said High Crags Primary was the seventh school in the district forced to close this year as a result of the virus.

Head of Bradford Council's education client team, Anthony Mugan, insisted the virus was not originating in schools.

"There are no schools in quarantine but there are a number of schools taking precautions to try to restrict the spread of the gastroenteritis bug.

"There will be others who have some pupils or staff who have been affected but the precise number changes on a day-to-day basis as the bug is widespread across the region and is not restricted to schools."

Parents are advised that if their children have symptoms of sickness or diarrhoea they should not attend any community events or activities being held in schools, churches or mosques until they have been well for at least 48 hours.