HOSPITALS have been put on alert after pupils from two Barnet schools reported flu-like symptoms, sparking fears of a potential swine flu outbreak.

It is understood Garden Suburb Junior and Garden Suburb Infants, in Childs Way, Golders Green, have reported a relatively large number of children absent with a “viral-type illness.” Approximately half of those off sick have sore throats and temperatures.

Dr Andrew Burnett, director of health improvement and medical director at Barnet Primary Care Trust (BPCT) assured Barnet Council's health overview and scrutiny committee last night that there was no confirmation the cases were swine flu, but said hospitals had been told carry out swift diagnosis on anyone reporting the symptoms.

He said: ”We are working in collaboration with council officers and the health protection agency (HPA).

“We have told Barnet GPs and the Accident and Emergency departments at Barnet Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital to be aware of this and I have requested a low threshold of suspicion, asking them to take swabs for viral contamination from children and staff members they think may have a viral infection that warrants investigation.

“If a small number of children in the school turn out to have swine flu we won't have to swab any more people on clinical grounds because we will know they have all probably got it.

“But I stress there is no firm confirmation, or otherwise, that any of these children have swine flu.

“We will liaise closely with the HPA and the eduction authority to see what action should be taken should it turn out this infection has got to the two schools.”