Swine flu likely to hit all Barnet schools (From Times Series)

Swine flu likely to hit all Barnet schools

2:29pm Wednesday 1st July 2009 in

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SWINE flu is expected to spread to every school in the borough by the end of the month.

Children and staff have been falling sick at dozens of schools across Barnet over the past few weeks, leading to three school closures and numerous absences.

But it is impossible to know how many schoolchildren have the virus because doctors are no longer testing for it.

The Healthcare Protection Agency (HPA) is now advising all schools to stay open because the virus has entered the community and children are believed to be at no greater risk inside schools as outside.

However, schools still have the option to close if there are not enough teachers at work to supervise the pupils.

Councillor Fiona Bulmer, Barnet cabinet member for education, said: "Over the next couple of weeks or so it is entirely plausible that most of the schools in the borough will report at least one case of suspected flu. Schools will contact parents directly when necessary.

"Up until now, the council has published details of schools with confirmed cases of the flu. Now, with an element of self-reporting and the move away from laboratory testing of every case, it is difficult to accurately say how many schools have cases of swine flu at any one moment.

"Reported cases often turn out to be other illnesses after closer inspection."

Parents are advised by NHS Barnet not to panic if they hear the disease has infected their children's school because the current strain is milder than seasonal flu and can be treated easily with anti-virals.

Sylvia Lankson, 76, from Hyde Crescent, panicked when her nine-year-old grandson, George, caught the virus last week, but claims she is now taking it in her stride.

"All the experts seem to be saying it's not a good idea to isolate people anymore because the flu is out of control, which sounds ridiculous to me," she said. "But who am I to argue?

"The disease seems quite mild and frankly nothing really to worry about.

"When I came down with normal flu, I was was wiped out for three weeks, but George bounced back after a few days."

Some doctors argue the current outbreak will prove useful in preparation for the next, more virulent phrase, which is expected to hit in winter.

Doctor Anthony Uzoka, of The Phoenix Practice, in Brampton Grove, Hendon, said: “It's fortunate that we're having an outbreak in the middle of summer because we don't have the normal seasonal flu which can be particularly virulent.

“To a large extent, having this now does present us with an opportunity to learn and be even better prepared for what I expect will be a fairly difficult winter.

“All new bugs have the opportunity to mutate and come back again with a vengeance.”

Calls to The Phoenix Practice, where Dr Uzoka works alongside two other GPs, have doubled since the outbreak began.

“Like all the practices, work has become substantially more busy and demanding,” he said.

“It's a pandemic now and it's affecting all corners of the world and Barnet is no exception."

It is believed the outbreak of the H1N1 virus in Barnet can be traced to the Garden Suburb Infants and Garden Suburb Junior schools, in Childs Way, Hampstead Garden Suburb, where six children tested positive and a further 143 pupils and staff reported symptoms a fortnight ago.

The Hyde School, in The Hyde, also closed on June 22 due to five staff members falling ill, but re-opened last Tuesday after only two days of missed classes.

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms is advised to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. They can also contact their GP.