Aidrie nursery stays open after swine flu case

Jul 8 2009 by Wendy Scott, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

CHILDREN and staff at a swine flu-hit Airdrie nursery have been given antiviral drugs after a youngster contracted the deadly virus.

And children and staff at Croft Park Nursery in direct contact with the affected youngster have been told not to attend the nursery, which still remains open.

The Advertiser last week revealed how a child at the Forrest Street premises was confirmed as having influenza A (H1N1).

Dr John Logan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “A child at Croft Park Nursery in Airdrie has been confirmed as having influenza A (H1N1).

“As a precautionary approach, antiviral medication has been given to the children and staff who have been identified as close contacts of the child to reduce the spread of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

“As a further precaution, these children and staff have been advised not to attend the nursery this week. The nursery remains open.

“All parents and carers of the children at the nursery have been provided with advice and guidance on what they should do if their child develops flu-like symptoms.

“NHS Lanarkshire is working closely with North Lanarkshire Council and Health Protection Scotland and would like to reassure parents and staff that the risk of developing serious illness associated with flu infection is low.

“Anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay at home to limit contact with others and should seek medical advice from their GP (8am-6pm Monday to Friday) or NHS 24 if out with this period (08454 24 24 24).”

For more information visit NHS 24 (www.nhs24.com) or Scottish Government (www.scotland.gov.uk) or Health Protection Scotland (www.hps.scot.nhs.uk).

The private nursery caters for pre-school youngsters aged between six weeks and five years.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “We have now moved into the treatment phase and that will result in a new way of monitoring and reporting pandemic flu cases, similar to the way seasonal flu is currently reported.

“As we have always said, we expect the number of cases of pandemic flu to increase in the coming months. From what we've seen so far, most people with H1N1 experience mild symptoms and recovery is gen erally straightforward.

“We are well prepared to deal with the expected increase in cases and are working steadily towards the rollout of a vaccine. In the meantime, I would urge people to remember the 'catch it, bin it, kill it' message and to wash hands regularly to help limit further spread.”