Hamilton high school pupil is confirmed with swine flu

Jun 18 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON secondary school pupil has tested positive for swine flu.

The John Ogilvie High School pupil was confirmed as having the H1N1 virus at the weekend.

She was treated with a course of the anitviral medicine tamiflu and told to lessen social contact for seven days to reduce the chances of the infection spreading.

A teacher at the school, who had been in close proximity to the 17-year-old at an outside event, had been advised to not to attend school for seven days as a precautionary measure.

NHS Lanarkshire said this week that the girl had not attended school while suffering from flu symptoms.

A spokesman said: “The pupil last attended the school eight days before developing symptoms and did not attend the school’s premises while symptomatic.”

An entry on the girl’s Twitter site said this week she was sitting out in her back garden enjoying the sun despite the condition.

John Ogilvie High School, however, remains open and other staff and pupils have been advised to attend as normal.

A source close to the school said: “She’s a really nice girl. She’s very gregarious with lots of friends.

“I find it surprising that no parents have formally been told about the situation.

“I’d have thought the best thing to do would be to bring the school holiday forward and let pupils go home since it’s almost the end of term anyway.”

Last week NHS Lanarkshire revealed that a music instructor who taught pupils at four South Lanarkshire schools – including Carluke High School and Craighead School in Hamilton – had tested positive for the virus.

A total of 41 pupils, who had been in close proximity to the music teacher, had been advised not to return to school until the start of this week. However, NHS Lanarkshire said yesterday (Wed) that they are all now back at school having been given the all clear.

As of yesterday a total of 14 people in Lanarkshire had been confirmed as having the H1N1 virus.

NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine Dr David Cromie said this week: “We understand this situation may cause some concern. However, NHS Lanarkshire is working closely with South Lanarkshire Council and Health Protection Scotland, and I would like to reassure parents that the chances of their child developing the infection as a result of this situation are low.”