Swine 'flu alert in Trim school

Parents of children attending a Trim primary school are on high alert after a third class pupil was diagnosed with swine 'flu in the school. The girl, who attends classes in the old school building of St Mary's National School, had showed symptoms of swine 'flu and by Monday a letter was sent to parents to alert them that there was a suspected swine 'flu case in the school and to offer advice. School prinicpal Cóilín " Coigligh said that one child in the school had suspected swine 'flu and that a clinical diagnosis was made though a swab was not taken. He said that approximately 20 children from four or five different classes in the old school (which accomodates second, third and fourth classes) had gone home feeling unwell but said he was not qualified to say whether they were showing symptoms of swine 'flu but could only say they were feeling unwell. Other than the third class pupil, no other case of swine 'flu has been confirmed in the school. The HSE was alerted and a letter was sent home to all parents on Monday to inform them of the case and outlined the symptoms. Parents were told that any child with 'flu-like illness would be sent home as soon as possible, that staff or students affected by 'flu should stay at home for seven days from the onset date and that improved hygiene measures were being put in place to minimise the risk of transmission. Mr " Coigligh said that sanitisers had been installed in the foyer of both schools and that they are installing bacterial handwash in all bathrooms which should be completed by tomorrow (Thursday). Children have also been asked to take their own towel to school with them to dry their hands and wipes and tissues are also been given to children. Lessons were also given on cleanliness through the SPHE programme. The St Mary's principal said that the school is continuing as normal but they are advising parents to keep their children at home if they have any doubt that their child may have symptoms. Mr " Coigligh said that it's "business as usual" in St Mary's and that things have remained calm. He extended his thanks to Dr Kathleen Barry in the HSE who, he said, had been very helpful with her advice and help in drafting the letter to parents. Meanwhile, a call for a joint approach to deal with 'flu prevention in schools this winter has been made by Meath TD Shane McEntee. He has written to both the Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe, and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, calling for both departments to undertake a joint approach. "Despite a highly publicised campaign across the country, there is still confusion in some schools on how best to tackle the issue of swine 'flu. There appears to have been little or no follow-up in schools to ensure that guidelines are being adhered to," he claimed. "While they are doing their best, teachers and other school staff do not have sufficient medical training to deal with all of the issues that may arise. I am proposing that local district nurses or other appropriate HSE staff visit schools and speak to staff and students on exactly how to prevent the spread of the illness and what to do in situations where they suspect cases of swine 'flu in their school." Deputy Mcentee said he understood that much work had been done in this area already, but as winter approached, it was important that this work was not wasted and that all that could be done would be done to prevent the spread of the illness in schools.