A SCHOOL has been forced to temporarily close after a suspected norovirus outbreak.
Ferndown Middle School in decided to close early for the weekend to allow thorough of the premises in an attempt to prevent further spread of the contagious .
Ferndown Middle School in Dorset has been temporarily closed due to a suspected norovirus outbreak Credit: Google Maps
The closure will allow the school to be cleaned to prevent further spread of the virus Credit: Getty
The school had announced that there was an “outbreak” of the illness on its page earlier this week, with several reported cases of sickness and diarrhoea believed to be .
Alysia Dolan, Deputy Headteacher, at Ferndown Middle said: “While the school is empty [today] and over the weekend, it will be thoroughly cleaned and we anticipate everything being back to normal on Monday.”
Norovirus – also known as the vomiting bug – can spread very easily, the says.
You can catch norovirus from close contact with somebody with the virus or by touching objects that have the virus on and then touching your mouth.
Norovirus symptoms usually take 12 to 48 hours to develop and people are advised to stay at home and avoid preparing food for others until 48 hours after symptoms have completely stopped.
For most people, norovirus is an unpleasant but short-lived illness, with full recovery usually happening within two to three days.
The UK Security Agency (UKHSA) is now working with Council to provide guidance on the outbreak, the Eco reported.
It stressed that the most “effective way” to respond to illness is to clean and disinfect contaminated areas very thoroughly and to institute good hygiene measures including hand washing.
The unexpected closure has also forced the school to postpone its SATs – exams that evaluate children’s progress in English and Maths – for Year 6 students.
Ms Dolan said: “Our Year 6 students are in the middle of their SATs, but we are speaking with the Standards and Testing Agency about what can be done for those who have missed the tests because of the school closure.
Sarah Bird, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said: “We are currently working with the school to provide guidance to reduce the risk of ongoing infection from likely norovirus infection.
The UK Health Security Agency is working with Dorset Council to help with the suspected outbreak Credit: Getty What is norovirus?
Norovirus, also called the winter vomiting bug, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually gets better in about two days.
The main symptoms of norovirus usually start suddenly and may include:
- Feeling sick
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhoea
You may also have:
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Tummy pain
- Body aches and pains
Although it’s sometimes called the winter vomiting bug, you can get norovirus at any time of year.
What not to do when you have norovirus:
- Do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
- Do not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
- Do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
- Do not give aspirin to children under 16
Source: NHS
The question is – how do you protect yourself from norovirus?
Norovirus is spread through poo, so the NHS advises people to wash their hands with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing nappies.
It stressed that hand gels do not kill the virus.
It also advises people to wash their hands with soap and water before preparing, serving or eating food.
You must wash and bedding that has poo or vomit on it at 60°C and separate them from other laundry.
People should also clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handles.
The NHS urges the public not to go to school, nursery or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for two days.
It is thought that norovirus is associated with around 80 deaths in England and Wales a year, according to an article in Emerging Infectious Diseases from 2008.
Conducted over a six-year period, the study recorded 453 deaths in people aged 65 and over that may have been attributed to norovirus.
Unsurprisingly, it found that more deaths were associated with norovirus infection in years with higher norovirus activity.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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