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Dewsbury students hit by swine flu
THREE people in Dewsbury have swine flu and several others in the town are displaying symptoms of the virus, it was confirmed today.
They are all students at the Institute of Islamic Education in South Street, Savile Town, which has now been closed as a precautionary measure.
The affected students remain on site at the college - which is a day and boarding school for Muslim boys and young men. They are being treated with antiviral medication.
All other students at the college - around 290 of them - are being kept in isolation where possible and have been offered anti-vrial drugs.
These are the first cases of swine flu to be confirmed in the Kirklees area. It is not yet known whether the students had travelled to an affected region.
Dr Judith Hooper, director of public health for NHS Kirklees said: "We can confirm that three cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Kirklees.
"The individuals concerned are being treated with antiviral medicine at the Institute. They are responding well to treatment.
"We are aware that a number of individuals at the college are also showing the common symptoms of flu and these individuals are limiting their contact with others.
"Due to the practicalities of dealing with so many symptomatic students, the college has taken the decision to close for seven days. However we will continue to work with them to monitor the health of staff and pupils.
"As a precautionary measure, antiviral medicine has been offered to all pupils and staff at the college."
Nationally, swine flu has claimed three lives including a six-year-old girl on Monday.
The outbreak started in April in Mexico and has gradually spread. In Britain, an early policy of trying to isolate those infected has now been slackened, so schools and other institutions are not automatically closed if an outbreak is detected.
Several cases have been confirmed in Yorkshire but so far it appears all those affected have made a successful recovery.
Health bosses have urged anyone who fears they have flu symptoms to stay at home.
They should also use the online using the symptom checker at www.nhs.uk or ring the national swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513. If they are still concerned they should ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or their local GP.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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