Gastroenteritis and flu outbreak at Queen's College, Taunton - Somerset County Gazette

AN independent school has cancelled sports fixtures and trips following an outbreak of flu among students and staff.

Health bosses have also warned that some students appear to have been suffering from gastroenteritis.

Parents and guardians of day pupils at Queen's College, Taunton, have been asked to keep their children at home if they show any symptoms to prevent the infections spreading. It is not know how many people have been affected.

The schools Highgrove Nursery has also been affected.

The school has worked closely with Somerset County Council and Public Health England (PHE), who have written to all parents.

A spokesman said the school has remained open and the decision to call off fixtures and trips will be reviewed tomorrow (Friday).

The school has issued the following statement today: "Due to ongoing health issues at the school and on the advice of Public Health England, we are cancelling all fixtures and trips in and out of the school until Tuesday when we will re-evaluate the situation."

The PHE letter sent out last Friday says that "influenza is circulating in the school" although it is not regarded as a serious illness and most people make a quick recovery at home.

It says: "In order to reduce the spread of infection, it is important to keep children with any symptoms of flu-like illness away from school until they have recovered, are free of symptoms and have not had a fever for at least 24 hours."

The letter adds: "If your child has already come home, then you should contact their GP to discuss if treatment is necessary to prevent or reduce the severity of the illness."

Any children or household contacts in the 'at risk' group are being advised to have their seasonal flu vaccine.

Referring to a number of cases of potential gastroenteritis, the letter says: "A number of children have had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting over the last few days.

"I have been advised by PHE and the local environmental health department that this is a mild illness probably caused by a virus, but that is very infectious."

It adds: "If your child is a non-boarder and affected, please keep him or her off school.

"He or she should not return until 48 hours after the diarrhoea and vomiting have stopped."

Chaamala Klinger, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England South West, said: “We are working with the school and nursery and have provided information to parents on infection control measures and advice about exclusion.

“The best way to prevent diarrhoea, vomiting and flu from spreading is to follow good hygiene advice.

“Symptoms of influenza (flu) include cough, heavy cold symptoms, sore throat and fever. Flu is generally not a serious illness and most people who have flu make a quick recovery at home. However, it can cause serious illness in those with other health problems.

“In order to reduce spread of infections it is important to keep children with any symptoms of flu-like illness away from school until they have recovered, are free of symptoms and have not had a fever for at least 24 hours. Good hand washing is also important to reduce the risk to others.

“It is important that any child/staff member or their household contacts (such as grandparents or pregnant women) who fit into any of the “at risk” group list below have taken up their seasonal flu vaccine.

“There have also been some students and staff with vomiting. In order to reduce spread of infection it is important to keep children with any diarrhoea or vomiting away from school and nursery until they are free of symptoms for at least 48 hours. Good hand washing is also important to reduce the risk to others, especially after toileting and before preparing/ eating food.”

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