County swine flu 'reassurance'

Gloucestershire's director of public health has moved to reassure people after the number of cases of swine flu in the county increased.

Earlier in the week the number of cases in the county stood at two but by the weekend it had reached 30.

Eight children at Westonbirt School, Tetbury, have been diagnosed with swine flu and 11 other girls, not yet tested, could also have the virus.

Dr Shona Arora the rise in the number of cases was to be expected.

"We will expect to see more cases and we know that's the case nationally. I think people shouldn't be unduly worried, its still a mild illness," she said.

The pupils, all aged between 11 and 14, were kept in isolation until their parents collected them on Friday.

If someone had nits you get a letter saying which class is affected - but this isn't the case for swine flu Upton St Leonard's School parent

One parent from Upton St Leonard's School, who did not want to be named, contacted BBC News to say she had received a letter from the school stating one of the pupils had been confirmed with H1N1.

She said: "We don't know whether to keep our children off - the school isn't saying which class the pupil is in.

"If someone had nits you get a letter saying which class is affected - but this isn't the case for swine flu. The school was inundated with phone calls on Friday but they are not saying anything."

An Upton St Leonard's School spokeswoman confirmed a pupil at the school had been diagnosed with the virus.

"Under current guidance the school will remain open but parents of any pupils exhibiting symptoms are asked to contact their GP or NHS Direct by phone," she added.