Seven pupils contract swine flu

Pupils at two schools in Leicester have swine flu, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed.

Four cases have been confirmed at Lancaster School in West Knighton and a further three at Moat Community College in Highfields.

About 15% of pupils at the two schools are off with suspected swine flu although cases have not been confirmed.

HPA officials have urged people not to panic and said there was no evidence of a sustained spread of the virus.

Staff at the schools, which remained open, have also been affected.

Dr Philip Monk, of the HPA, said: "There is evidence swine flu is spreading, particularly at Moat Community College and Lancaster School where there are high absentee rates of pupils that have the flu.

"This is more widespread than we thought across the community in Leicester."

Dr Monk advised people who have symptoms, including a temperature of more than 38C (100F) for more than a day, should stay indoors, take paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids.