City's sickness outbreak spreads

An outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea, which has seen children and staff sent home and schools closed, is hitting more sites in Birmingham.

Up to 40 schools have been affected, with 17 expected to be closed on Friday and some already announcing they will stay shut into next week.

The number of schools closed has risen through the week.

The outbreak has also affected schools in parts of the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire.

Symptoms suffered includes vomiting, high fevers, diarrhoea and lethargy.

BIRMINGHAM'S CLOSED SCHOOLS Benson Community Primary, Hockley Birches Green Junior, Erdington Birches Green Infant, Erdington Birchfield Community Primary, Aston Grove Primary, Handsworth Hawthorn Primary, Kingstanding Leigh Primary, Washwood Heath Mansfield Green, Aston Matthew Boulton Community Primary, Handsworth Perry Beeches Junior, Great Barr Prince Albert's Primary, Aston Stechford Primary, Stechford Summerfield Primary, Winson Green St Matthew's CE Junior and Infants, Nechells Ward End Primary, Ward End Watville Primary, Handsworth Welsh House Farm Community Primary, Quinton World's End Junior, Quinton

Birmingham City Council said most children have been off school between two and four days, with one child admitted to hospital.

Parents are asked to make sure children are free of all symptoms for 24 hours before sending youngsters back to school.

Schools have been told to notify unexplained increases in absences to the Health Protection Unit and the city council.

A council spokesman said: "Information on the infections and outbreaks has been sent to local GPs and schools.

"Parents of affected children have been advised to keep their children off school, make sure they rest and drink plenty of fluids, use paracetamol and/or ibuprofen to reduce high temperatures and keep good hand hygiene."