Swine flu alert at Bedford schools
Family put under observation after son returns from university with the virus
A family who work and study at three Bedford schools are under observation after their eldest child contracted swine flu.
A mother, father and their two children, who work and study at Dame Alice Harpur School, Bedford High School and Bedford Modern School, are taking time off after an immediate family member contracted the virus.
It is believed that the parents are teachers working at Dame Alice and Bedford Modern.
A letter sent to parents and signed by the three schools' headteachers, said: "One member of a local family has been confirmed as contracting the virus.
"Other members of this family do work at and attend the charity's schools (as staff and pupils) but the individual who contracted the virus does not work within or attend our schools.
"As a precautionary measure, the immediate family members are now at home and are currently receiving advice and treatment from their local GP."
The letter also contained information about the charity's own pandemic flu plan.
Peter Milburn, finance director of The Bedford Charity, said: "There are no confirmed cases of swine flu at any of our schools and we have taken all the necessary precautions."
There have been 5,937 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK including three fatalities, the H1N1 virus can be spread by coughing and sneezing.
In June a Luton man tested positive for swine flu and became the first confirmed case in Bedfordshire.
It is not known how he contracted the virus.
Swine flu, which originated in Mexico, is the first flu pandemic in 40 years. There have been 76,031 confirmed cases of swine flu worldwide and the virus has claimed lives in countries such as Argentina, USA, Mexico and the Phillipines.
Muriel Scott, acting director of public health for NHS Bedfordshire, said: "There is no need for people to refrain from normal activities, such as going to work or school, if they are well.
"However, the decision on what action to take to help prevent the spread of the virus ultimately rests with individual schools. "
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Weather for Luton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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