Dear Parents and Carers,
We have had an exceptionally high absence-rate at school on Wednesday. Forty-two children were absent in the morning after parents had called school saying their children are suffering with sickness / vomiting. A further five children went home after they have reported symptoms of sickness whilst in school.
Reported symptoms are consistent with a gastroenteritis-type illness. We are aware that a ‘gastric bug’ is circulating in the community at present having been in contact with other local schools including Shepherdswell and The Willows.
The main symptoms can include a raised temperature, headache, abdominal pain/cramps and general aches, coupled with an episode of vomiting. Some people may also experience diarrhoea. The condition usually resolves within 24 hours to 48 hours when recovery occurs.
Guidance states that a child developing any of these symptoms should be kept away from school and should not return until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped to ensure the infection has settled and cannot be passed on to other children.
Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Good standards of personal hygiene are essential in preventing the spreading of the virus - hands must be washed with soap and water and dried thoroughly. If you are concerned, please contact your GP.
For further information please contact NHS Direct on 111. A Public Health England Norovirus Fact Sheet is also available below
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND FACT SHEET
For our part, the site team and cleaners have been working hard all week as a pre-emptive measure to disinfect tables, door handles and other surfaces likely to come into contact with children’s hands. We have consulted the East of England Health Protection Team who have advised we continue with these measures. Please be assured we will strive to keep the best possible standards of hygiene throughout the school.
Over the coming days we will be monitoring the absence rate of children and staff. Please be mindful that should this outbreak worsen in spite of our best efforts, there may be the possibility of the need to close the school to children. Please be assured we will do our very best to avoid this measure becoming necessary, but we need your support in not sending children to school if they are poorly.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. C. Brown