Alstonville pupil contracts swine flu

AN ALSTONVILLE High School senior student has fallen victim to swine flu.

“It was confirmed on Thursday by the mother of a senior student that she has contracted the influenza A virus subtype H1N1, otherwise known as swine flu,” Alstonville High School principal, David Silcock, said.

“We believe the student is fine and only displaying mild symptoms at this point.”

Mr Silcock said the student had been away from school for several days towards the end of last week, but could not confirm which days they were when The Northern Star contacted him yesterday.

He said the student only developed flu-like symptoms at the weekend and had been taken to the doctor, where tests returned positive and the student had not attended school this week.

“We don't expect her back until Monday at the earliest,” he said.

“We are not aware of the student having travelled overseas to a high-risk destination, or having come into contact with an infected person.”

Mr Silcock said no other students were reported to have been infected, but a meeting had been called at the school on Thursday to advise the infected student's year group and counsel any students who were concerned.

He said letters were sent to parents yesterday reminding them to keep children at home if they develop flu-like symptoms.

Meanwhile, a student from Mullumbimby's Shearwater Steiner School has fully recovered from the virus, according to school administrator Stan Stevens.

“He is fine, he was participating in sport today,” he said.

As of yesterday, two people have contracted swine flu locally, according to the North Coast Area Health Service director of public health, Paul Corben.

Mr Corben said the two cases were among 23 confirmed cases of swine flu from the region.