Swine flu fear at school
A health scare was sparked at a South Staffordshire school today after a pupil returned from holiday in Mexico with symptoms of swine flu.
A team of workers from the Health Protection Agency moved into Ounsdale High School in Wombourne this morning to offer advice to its 1,200 students.
It comes as Scottish NHS worker Graeme Pacitti waited anxiously today to see if he is the country's first case of human-to-human transfer of the illness.
The 24-year-old fell ill after being in contact with Iain Askham, who was Britain's first confirmed sufferer after returning to Birmingham Airport from his honeymoon in Mexico.
All of the pupils at Ounsdale School were called in for a special assembly at 9am and given basic health advice by the team. Letters have also gone out to parents warning them about the illness and symptoms to look for.
The Year 7 girl had returned from a family holiday to Cancun when she started to show flu-like symptoms in the classroom. She is currently off from school.
Richard Caddy, spokesman for Staffordshire County Council, said: "The pupil and her family are receiving expert advice and support and the situation is being monitored."
