With the number of people being affected rising, the Principal of Moira Primary School Mrs Caroline Mairs, said they had had few cases in recent weeks at the school but that it was very much 'business as usual'.

She said that like other schools they have keeping parents fully informed by sending out regular news sheets. They are also following very strict guidelines from the Department of Health and Department of Education and have intensified their hygiene arrangements.

She said that warm running water and soap and antiseptic wipes are available for all children and staff to use, posters on 'Catch It, Bin It, Kill It' are located at every hand basin and cleaners have been asked to pay particualar attention to hard surfaces.

"Swine flu is in the community and as our school is very much part of the community it is only reasonable to expect some cases to reach the school," Mrs Mairs said. "Anyone is as likely to catch it in the corner shop as they are at the school."

Mrs Mairs said that the school was fully prepared for any pandemic, just as they are for any common colds and flus which occur annually.
And she praised parents for their full co-operation.

" We have been very lucky as parents have been very co-operative," she said. "We have sent out news sheets and asked them to be vigilant for any flu like symptoms and not to send their child in to school if they are feeling unwell.

"All our parents are extremely responsible and have done everything we have asked."

She said that as the school has 360 pupils they could not inform each parent individually of the current cases of swine flu but all parents are fully updated with their news sheets sent out from the school.
"We follow very comprehensive and very strict guidelines from the South Eastern Education and LIbrary Board and the Public Health Authority," she said.

For updates on swine flu contact the Department of Health on www.publichealth.hscni.net or the Department of Education on www.deni.gov.uk

mary.magee@ulsterstar.co.uk