Birmingham school closed after pupil contracts swine flu

May 22 2009 by Christina Savvas and Will Oliphant

One child has contracted swine flu and 24 pupils at a Birmingham primary school are suspected of having the virus.

Welford Primary School in Handsworth was forced to close today after the outbreak caused alarm. Up to 100 children at the school and nursery - more than a fifth of all pupils- were absent on Thursday due to illness.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said an investigation was underway and local health bosses advised the school to close ahead of the half-term holiday.

A spokesman for the HPA said: “The HPA has confirmed a case of swine flu H1N1 in a pupil at Welford Primary School in Handsworth. The child has been treated at home with anti viral drugs and is responding to treatment.

“On the advice of the local Health Protection Unit the school had closed one day early for the half-term because of evidence of respiratory illness throughout the school community.”