Swine flu affects boarding school

Downside School will remain open with the situation being closely monitored

A pupil at Downside School near Bath has been sent home after being found to have the swine flu virus.

Other youngsters at the Catholic Independent boarding school have been given preventative drugs.

The Dorset and Somerset Health Protection Unit told the school the risk to other pupils was low.

There are 430 pupils at the school aged between nine and 18. The school said it is carrying out enhanced surveillance of all pupils and staff.

UK figure

Any day pupils who show any signs of flu-like symptoms with a temperature, aches and pains and a cough or cold are being advised to phone their family doctor for advice and also let the school health centre know.

Boarders have already been informed to contact the health centre if they feel unwell.

The school will remain open as usual, but this decision will be reviewed regularly over the next few days and in discussion with the Health Protection Agency and NHS Somerset.

Cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in 66 countries around the world, but the illness has caused deaths in only four - Mexico, the United States, Canada and Costa Rica.

The total number of swine flu cases in the UK has risen to 459 after another 55 cases were confirmed on Thursday.