A SIX-month-old baby is among eight cases of suspected swine flu at a Bournemouth nursery.
Four children and four members of staff are believed to be suffering from the illness.
But the Talbot Woods Day Nursery remains open for “business as usual”, with managers following the latest advice from the Health Protection Agency.
A Bournemouth council spokeswoman said yesterday that cases had been confirmed at 13 council-run schools in the borough.
They include St James’ CE Primary in Pokesdown, Queens Park Junior School in East Way and Avonbourne secondary school in Harewood Avenue. There is also a suspected case at neighbouring Portchester and a pupil at St Katharine’s Primary School at Hengistbury Head has been diagnosed with swine flu. All schools are staying open.
Since July 7, four children aged six months, 12 months, two-and-a-half and four have displayed symptoms at Talbot Woods Day Nursery, situated on the Bournemouth University campus, along with four members of staff.
One child and one staff member have since returned to the nursery and are said to be in good health.
Manager Teri Steed said all parents have been informed and there were signs up on the doors. More than 80 children go there each day and most have continued to attend.
“We have been advised it is totally OK to stay open and we have had no new cases for the last two days,” she told the Daily Echo. “These are suspected cases because doctors are not diagnosing swine flu. Those who have been affected have said it is no worse than ordinary flu.”
The Health Protection Agency has advised schools, nurseries and other organisations that swine flu has not been containable since July 2, meaning there is no need to close.
Pupils at five schools in Poole, including Upton Junior, have suspected swine flu symptoms.
A Dorset County Council spokeswoman said there were no reported swine flu cases in schools in the Christchurch area.
She told the Daily Echo that there had been confirmed cases in three schools and a nursery in East Dorset but no flu reports in North Dorset.
- For advice and guidance about swine flu, as well as more news about cases in the area, go to our new swine flu section - just follow the link below.
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