A SECONDARY school in Galway remained open yesterday despite six confirmed cases of swine flu among its students.
Calasanctius College in Oranmore, which has 700 pupils and 70 teachers, has confirmed six cases of the virus among students.
A team from HSE West visited the school, and principal Joe Harrison said it was decided it should remain open.
Parents of children attending the school received a letter confirming the cases and advising them to keep children at home if they show signs of swine flu.
The six students are in quarantine at their homes and are said to be recovering well. Following discussions with medical experts, principal Joe Harrison decided the school should remain open.
Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, whose son is studying for his Junior Cert in Calasanctius College, said she was confident every reasonable precaution was being taken to minimise the spread. “While we know swine flu is a worldwide pandemic, its effects becomes apparent when you realise it is in your own son’s school. It is worrying for students, parents and teachers, and reminds us how vigilant we need to be of the symptoms,” she said.
Dr Diarmuid O’Donovan, director of public health HSE West, said they would continue to work closely with the school: “Parents of pupils attending the school are advised not to send children to school if they are sick. Children who are sick should be kept at home for seven days from the onset of symptoms. Any child who is sick at school will be sent home.”
The outbreak follows the announcement that two schools in Cavan have confirmed swine flu. Breffni College Secondary School and Laragh National School are also remaining open.