EDUCATION bosses in Somerset are reassuring parents and school pupils in the county area that swine flu will not affect the start of the new school term this September.
Concerns have been expressed by a small number of parents that schools should delay re-opening after the summer holidays in order to avoid the swine flu virus.
This would cause unnecessary disruption and Somerset County Council can confirm that it will be business as usual for local schools.
National and local health experts advise that the number of cases of swine flu has continued to fall in all age groups and all regions of England, including Somerset.
The council is advising that parents and children should remain vigilant for the symptoms of swine flu and continue to follow the NHS guidance of ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.
NHS Somerset director of public health Dr Caroline Gamlin said: “The incidence of swine flu currently remains low and symptoms among the majority of people have been mild.
“Parents in Somerset need not, therefore, feel overly concerned that their child’s at greater risk of contracting the virus just because they’re returning to school this September.
“Each and every one of us can help reduce the spread of swine flu and many other common illnesses by practicing good personal hygiene.”
If children begin to feel flu-like symptoms their parents should keep them at home and seek advice from the National Pandemic Flu Helpline on 0800-1513100.
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