Two cases of swine flu in Bristol
There are now two confirmed cases of swine flu in the Bristol area.
One is a 12-year-old pupil at Downend School who had returned from a holiday in Mexico and the other is a 42-year-old man believed to have caught the virus from someone who had been to Mexico.
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Tim Hathway with his son Bradley, a pupil at Downend School in Bristol
Health officials said he was also from South Gloucestershire but he is not thought to have had any contact with the 12-year-old girl.
The year 7 pupil, who has mild symptoms and 270 other students and staff have been given a ten-day course of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.
The girl was on the same flight as a couple from Scotland who caught the virus in Mexico.
Downend School said the school has been closed until Monday May 11.
The school has also said that other pupils who have come into close contact with the girl had been checked for swine flu symptoms.
Pupils were told the news at 1pm on Friday in assembly and a team of nurses were brought in to administer the drugs.
Regional director of public health for the south west Dr Gabriel Scally confirmed the girl had arrived from Mexico last week on the same flight as Ian and Dawn Askham.
He said that the girl had developed symptoms earlier this week and had been at school throughout the week.
“She was at school during the time she may have been infectious to other children.
“It's been very difficult to know whether the flight had anything to do with it, or whether it was because they were in the same part of Mexico.
“There are some questions we will only be able to answer when we have more diagnostic information.
“All of the cases in this country have been mild, there has only been one death outside of Mexico and that was in the USA.”
Dr Scally was full of praise for the response of staff at Downend school.
He said: “I think the school put together a fantastic response . Tamiflu has been provided to some of the school staff and everyone has been made aware of how to respond if symptoms appear
“We are trying to reassure parents, we are giving them as much information as we can.”
Dr Scally said the whole school had not been given the drug because those most at risk were people who had been in close proximity with the girl.
Robin and Wendy Campbell’s son Adam, 12, was one of those given Tamiflu.
Mrs Campbell said: “It is worrying but we are trying to keep calm at the moment and put it into perspective, but you just do not expect it to happen on your own doorstep.”
Adam said: “We had an assembly in the hall and they told us someone had swine flu.
“Everyone was shocked and some of the girls started crying because they were scared.”
A letter from head teacher Tamryn Savage was sent home with pupils yesterday afternoon.
It read: “A pupil in year 7 has just been confirmed as having swine flu this afternoon.
“The pupil is at home and well. The school has taken all the necessary steps today (Friday) and all the relevant agencies have been involved.
“The Health Protection Agency has advised that the school should close with immediate effect and re-open again on Monday May 11.”
The school has advised parents to phone their family doctors if their children show signs of flu.
Avon Health Incident Co-ordination Centre has been set up to deal with cases in the area.
A statement from the AHICC read: “Strictly as a matter of precaution, pupils at the secondary school have been issued with the anti-viral medication Tamiflu.
“Again as a precaution and as we are entering a bank holiday period it was considered a precaution to close the school.”
South Gloucestershire Council said: “There is laboratory confirmation that a 12-year-old pupil at Downend School has tested positive for virus A H1N1, commonly known as swine flu.
"On the advice of the Health Protection Agency, the school will be closed for a week as a precautionary measure.
“The pupil concerned has recently returned from Mexico and her symptoms so far are mild. Precautionary steps have been taken to minimise the risk to pupils and staff, whose welfare is paramount.”
A 14-year-old pupil said: “We were quite worried when we heard the news but we’re happy to have time off school.”
Another pupil, also 14, said: “I never thought it would come to Downend. Now it has I’m scared, to be honest.”
Debbie Grimwood, of Bowden Place, Downend, collected her 12-year-old daughter Amy who had been given Tamiflu and a face mask.
She said: “I had a phone call from somebody at the school. They were very good at the school, they just said it’s a precaution.
“It’s better to put a stop to it now, but it’s frightening for the children.”
Tim Hathway, 45, a singer and entertainer of Crossfield Road, Staple Hill, collected his son Bradley, 11, who is also in year 7.
He said: “My boy has come into contact with it. Hopefully they will be able to get hold of it before it spreads.
“With a bit of luck it will all be OK but it’s definitely a worry.
“I will keep an eye on it for the next few days. They have just told us to use the internet.”
Bradley said: “I am a bit frightened because people in Mexico have died from it.”
Miranda Thompson, 35, of Lingfield Park, Downend, also has a daughter Mercedes, 12, in year 7.
She said: “I’m quite shocked. You don’t think it’s real. You feel more for the kids, they panic and they worry that something’s going to happen to them.”
Mercedes said: “I’m looking forward to some time off school. It was quite shocking when we were told.
“Some people were crying and upset. They told us to calm down.”
Rob Garrett, 42, of Salisbury Gardens, Downend, has two children at the school, Thomas, 12 and Jessica, 14.
He said: “We can’t do much about it.
“It’s the right decision closing the school because it (the virus) could spread like wildfire.
“We need to nip it in the bud now.”
Older pupils preparing for their GCSEs were concerned about the school being closed.
NHS clerical worker, Graeme Pacitti, 24, of Falkirk, was confirmed as having swine flu after he came into contact with the Scottish couple, Iain and Dawn Askham, who honeymooned in Mexico.
The agency sent Dr Bharat Pankhania, a consultant in communicable disease control, to Downend School where four GPs and nurses were advising parents.
Dr Pankhania said: “We have a confirmed case of the new strain of influenza in a pupil at this school.
“All year 7 pupils have been given Tamiflu. This is very much a precautionary measure. We feel this is the best thing to do.
“We have not given it to other age groups. No children in the school are reporting they were feeling unwell and we have not come across any school pupil that we are concerned about.”
The HPA’s advice is that people who have been exposed to a probable or confirmed case within the previous seven days for longer than one hour and within a distance of one metre or less should be offered Tamiflu.
All cases up to now have been associated with travel to Mexico.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic alert level to Phase 5. This is characterised by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region.
The declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that pandemic is imminent.
Anyone returning from affected areas who becomes unwell with flu-like symptoms within seven days of their return should stay at home and contact their GP by phone or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
People will be assessed and testing and treatment will be provided. The Health Protection Agency will identify any close contacts as part of the assessment, and they will be given advice and, if necessary, antiviral drugs.
11 Comments
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by robert, bristol
Thursday, May 07 2009, 10:39PM
“me and all my frends was worryed when we found out how close this flu is
but none of us had been close to downend skl or any were near there area
but when you find out it is so close to home it is worriein
i look after my little brother ( aged 7 )
i am not worried about me gettin it i am more worried about my little brother cachin it and im doin my best to stop him from cachin it”
by Andrew, Derbyshire
Sunday, May 03 2009, 10:56AM
“In case the link didn't get posted, google "1976 swine flu mercola"”
by steven, derby
Saturday, May 02 2009, 10:10PM
“Tamiflu and Relenza
I plan to mass leaflet my local town with this info and chemtrail/911 stuff on reverse side ..dr judy wood's stuff of course
Anti-Flu Meds ¿ Tamiflu and Relenza ¿ The Next Dangerous Drug Failure
If you or your child experienced unexpected, severe side effects from these medications, please know that you¿re not alone and that help is available. Please call us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out the form to the right of the page for immediate attention to your case.
For all its advances, the pharmaceutical industry is riddled with cases of new drugs that end up doing more harm than good.
With the flu season in full swing, you may have been tempted to take Tamiflu or Relenza, or give these medications to your children. After all, the flu is extremely uncomfortable and can be dangerous for the young.
But before these medications are prescribed and given, there are serious concerns to be addressed.
FDA Recommends New Severe Warnings for Anti-Flu Drugs Tamiflu, Relenza
Numerous reports from Japan and other countries are showing that Tamiflu and Relenza can cause devastating, tragic side effects, such as:
1. Hallucinations
2. Delusional behavior
3. Loss of contact with reality
4. Convulsions
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Psychosis
7. Suicidal behavior
8. Death of both adults and children
Following these reports, the FDA is recommending that serious new warnings be added to the labels of Tamiflu and Relenza.
Children Are At An Increased Risk
Children in particular are considered at the highest risk when taking these drugs. Five deaths linked to Tamiflu occurred among children falling from balconies or suddenly running into traffic.
FDA experts studied nearly 600 cases, mostly in Japan, and found three Japanese adults committed suicide and 22 more youths under 21 died after taking Tamiflu. Similarly, the FDA studied 115 reports of abnormal psychiatric behavior among people taking Relenza, including 74 children.
Medical authorities urge parents to contact their doctor right away if they notice their kids displaying any of the above symptoms while taking Tamiflu or Relenza.
The Japanese Ministry of Health has already explicitly warned people between 10 and 19 years not to take Tamiflu.
Severe Warnings Proposed for Tamiflu and Relenza
The FDA staff recommended that Tamiflu¿s label be changed to note that ¿in some cases, these behaviors resulted in serious injuries, including death, in adult and pediatric patients." The FDA staff also recommended Relenza¿s label be changed to state that ¿reports of hallucinations, delirium and abnormal behavior¿ have been observed in some patients taking the drug.
Too Many People Have Already Taken These Drugs
Since the Tamiflu¿s approval in 1999, 48 million people have taken the drug, including 21 million children. If you or your child experienced unexpected, severe side effects from these medications, please know that you¿re not alone and that help is available.
If you or a loved one believe you may have been affected or injured by Tamiflu or Relenza, including any disturbing behavior, please call us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out the form to the right of the page for immediate attention to your case.”
by steve, derby
Saturday, May 02 2009, 10:09PM
“Tamiflu and Relenza
I plan to mass leaflet my local town with this info and chemtrail/911 stuff on reverse side ..dr judy wood's stuff of course
Anti-Flu Meds ¿ Tamiflu and Relenza ¿ The Next Dangerous Drug Failure
If you or your child experienced unexpected, severe side effects from these medications, please know that you¿re not alone and that help is available. Please call us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out the form to the right of the page for immediate attention to your case.
For all its advances, the pharmaceutical industry is riddled with cases of new drugs that end up doing more harm than good.
With the flu season in full swing, you may have been tempted to take Tamiflu or Relenza, or give these medications to your children. After all, the flu is extremely uncomfortable and can be dangerous for the young.
But before these medications are prescribed and given, there are serious concerns to be addressed.
FDA Recommends New Severe Warnings for Anti-Flu Drugs Tamiflu, Relenza
Numerous reports from Japan and other countries are showing that Tamiflu and Relenza can cause devastating, tragic side effects, such as:
1. Hallucinations
2. Delusional behavior
3. Loss of contact with reality
4. Convulsions
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Psychosis
7. Suicidal behavior
8. Death of both adults and children
Following these reports, the FDA is recommending that serious new warnings be added to the labels of Tamiflu and Relenza.
Children Are At An Increased Risk
Children in particular are considered at the highest risk when taking these drugs. Five deaths linked to Tamiflu occurred among children falling from balconies or suddenly running into traffic.
FDA experts studied nearly 600 cases, mostly in Japan, and found three Japanese adults committed suicide and 22 more youths under 21 died after taking Tamiflu. Similarly, the FDA studied 115 reports of abnormal psychiatric behavior among people taking Relenza, including 74 children.
Medical authorities urge parents to contact their doctor right away if they notice their kids displaying any of the above symptoms while taking Tamiflu or Relenza.
The Japanese Ministry of Health has already explicitly warned people between 10 and 19 years not to take Tamiflu.
Severe Warnings Proposed for Tamiflu and Relenza
The FDA staff recommended that Tamiflu¿s label be changed to note that ¿in some cases, these behaviors resulted in serious injuries, including death, in adult and pediatric patients." The FDA staff also recommended Relenza¿s label be changed to state that ¿reports of hallucinations, delirium and abnormal behavior¿ have been observed in some patients taking the drug.
Too Many People Have Already Taken These Drugs
Since the Tamiflu¿s approval in 1999, 48 million people have taken the drug, including 21 million children. If you or your child experienced unexpected, severe side effects from these medications, please know that you¿re not alone and that help is available.
If you or a loved one believe you may have been affected or injured by Tamiflu or Relenza, including any disturbing behavior, please call us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out the form to the right of the page for immediate attention to your case.”
by downender, bristol
Saturday, May 02 2009, 6:45PM
“i'm a year seven pupil in downend and it was so scary we were read out a letter taken stait to the hall had to call our parents to get there consent and 'fill out an individual questionare with a nurse and if you ticked some syptoms you had to go and see the g.p in the medical room and after the nurse went thought the questionare with us they gave us the taamiflu tablets and we have to have then everyday about the same time for 10 days and the school is having a major clean belive me it was so scary all the girls was crying our eyes out when they mentioned swine flu and the press were flooding the front gate like can i interveiw you ... NO YOU CANT!”
by Reanne, Bristol
Saturday, May 02 2009, 4:19PM
“This is getting too serious! I knew it would be in bristol within days!!! Its actually getting pretty scary!”
by steve, derby
Saturday, May 02 2009, 11:11AM
“david from brristol..whoch you seriously let your kids take tamiflu? what sort of parent are you?”
by martyn, Emersons Green
Saturday, May 02 2009, 9:16AM
“Give them all some oinkment.”
by Concerned, Bristol
Saturday, May 02 2009, 9:06AM
“WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!”
by david, bristol
Saturday, May 02 2009, 8:33AM
“Sorry steven from derby are you for real ??????????”