NI Children Catch Swine Flu On Holiday

Two youngsters from Northern Ireland have tested positive for swine flu.

The pair had recently returned from a family holiday in Mexico, where the pandemic originated.

As a result, a County Down primary school has been closed after one pupil was diagnosed with swine flu.

The Department of Health said last night that the P2 pupil and a younger sibling were confirmed with the condition after returning from a family holiday.

They are being treated at home with antivirals and are recovering well but Saint Ronan's Primary in Newry has been closed as a precautionary measure.

The news means there are now a total of 32 confirmed cases and 15 more under investigation.

Around 30 pupils and some staff in the six-year-old child's class are being offered antivirals.

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "These are the first cases of swine flu in children in Northern Ireland and I am pleased to hear that their symptoms are mild and both are recovering at home.

"I would like to reassure the public that this situation is not unexpected and the increase in confirmed cases reflects what is happening across the rest of the UK.

"In Northern Ireland, we are well prepared to deal with a pandemic and have been planning for this situation for many years."

Dr Carolyn Harper, Director at the Public Health Agency, said today on Radio Ulster that it was working closely with the school and carried out a risk assessment.

"This process had shown that the overall risk to the school was low and that at this stage, only those who were in close contact with the child needed antivirals," she said.

"I have to once again emphasise that in most people swine flu is a mild illness, so there is no cause for alarm. We are satisfied that the level of contact between the one child in the school with swine flu and others has been limited, and that appropriate follow up actions are being taken."

(BmcC/JM)