A SECOND child is said to have contracted swine flu at Hautes Capelles Primary School, its head teacher has confirmed.
Dave Boalch confirmed that he had been contacted by another mother who said her child had been diagnosed with the virus.
The news came two days after pupils were sent home with a letter telling parents that an unidentified student had been affected by the H1N1 strain.
Mr Boalch said 12 pupils were taken out of school by their parents following the announcement.
‘Another child was confirmed to me yesterday,’ he said. ‘I have to take the mother’s word because I am not able to speak to the GP myself.’
The head teacher said there were no plans to close the school, which is anyway scheduled to break up for the summer holidays tomorrow.
He said it was up to parents to decide whether to keep their children in school.
‘I could not say whether I am happy about it because I am here to educate children and it’s term time – but it has to be up to the parents,’ he said.
The majority of parents spoken to by the Guernsey Press yesterday said they were not worried about the possibility of an outbreak at the school.
‘If they are going to get it, they’re going to get it,’ said Deana Thomson, whose daughter, Abie, 7, attends the school.
‘I’m not overly worried. If it had been a couple of weeks ago then maybe I would have considered taking her out, but because there’s only a couple of days left I don’t think it’s worth it.’
Angela Shields had not considered keeping 10-year-old Matthew at home. ‘I’m not really worried,’ she said. ‘It’s quite close to the end of term.’
But Belinda Moffat, who has three children at the school aged six, seven and nine, admitted she was concerned.
‘If there is another one that has been diagnosed with it, then I could imagine lots of parents keeping their kids at home – especially since it’s so close to the summer holidays,’ she said. ‘If there are more confirmed cases I would definitely consider taking my children out.’
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She said the letter to parents had not contained much information.
‘I don’t know whether the child who has been diagnosed is in infants or juniors and that would affect my decision,’ she added.
nÊThe director of public health has reiterated his stance on vaccination for swine flu in Guernsey.
Dr Stephen Bridgman expects to be able to obtain a vaccine when it is available in the UK.
The Health and Social Services Department is working with the NHS to secure stocks. Dr Bridgman said he had noted reports indicating that a vaccine may not now become available until the autumn.
Dr Bridgman said that when one was available, further discussions would take place on who would be recommended to receive it and how that would be carried out.
The HSSD board was given an update at a meeting on Tuesday.
Article posted on 16th July, 2009 - 2.30pm
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