AN OUTBREAK of swine flu at a primary school in Birmingham, England, led to 44 new cases of the virus being confirmed yesterday, the largest number in a single day.
Three cases were diagnosed among pupils at Welford primary in Handsworth, Birmingham, last week after children began feeling ill. Lab results yesterday confirmed a further 44 infections at the school. They included 41 children and three adults.
Three more people from the east of England and London were also diagnosed, taking the total in the UK so far to 184, the British department of health said.
The UK Health Protection Agency insisted that high rates of infection were to be expected in school environments, where children came into close contact with one another.
The school is closed this week for half term but is expected to open next week.
A joint statement issued by the school and the agency said it was undergoing a “deep clean” during the holiday before reopening.
The Health Protection Agency said that all confirmed cases were being treated at home with antivirals and were responding well to treatment. – ( Guardianservice)