Minister and Agency reassures community on swine flu

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey and the Public Health Agency today stressed that a swine flu incident involving children at a summer school in Donegal presented a low risk to the children’s health and that of the wider community.

Around 300 children from across Northern Ireland had been attending the Colaiste Mhuire Loch an Iuir school in west Donegal, which has now closed. So far, there have been four confirmed cases while a number of others have been reported as having symptoms.

The Agency is liasing with health authorities in the Republic of Ireland after a number of children who attended the school had taken ill with swine flu. Tamiflu is being provided to children with symptoms and as a precaution to some of the other children. The school will close to allow children to return home and for those with symptoms to recover and minimise their contact with others.

Mr McGimpsey said: "The Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland is working closely with colleagues in the Republic of Ireland to ensure that all symptomatic children receive Tamiflu, if appropriate and, that parents are advised of the situation.

"The GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland is also being notified and will be able to provide advice to any parents whose children are symptomatic. The Public Health Agency has informed me that any children who are unwell are, to date, showing mild symptoms of illness.

"It is important that the public is not alarmed by this situation. I have said many times before that we must expect increasing numbers of swine flu cases across Northern Ireland. We have been planning for this situation and the public should be assured by the swift action of the Public Health Agency and health officials in the Republic in responding to this situation.

"I will be meeting with officials from my Department and the Public Health Agency on Monday for an update on the current situation."

Dr Carolyn Harper from the Public Health Agency said: "It is reassuring that the affected children have had mild symptoms, but the number of children involved, and the circumstances in the school, make it necessary for all children to return home where those who have been unwell can recover and minimise their contact with others."

The Agency is monitoring the situation and has advised that parents of any children who develop symptoms after they come home should keep their child at home and seek advice from their GP or out-of-hours service.

Notes to Editors:

1.Further information about swine flu can be found at the DHSSPS or nidirect websites.  

2.Further advice can be heard on the Northern Ireland swine flu helpline, telephone 0800 0514 142 (Textphone 18001 0800 0 514 142) or on the UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1 513 513. This is also a freephone number.

3.Media queries to the Duty Press Office via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.