Ten University of Kent, Canterbury students have swine flu
TEN cases of swine flu have been reported at the University of Kent, Canterbury.
The shock announcement was made on Monday evening.
It followed the revelation on Friday that a student had the illness.
Dr Mathibalasingham Chandrakumar, director of the Kent Health Protection Unit said: "All the cases are recovering well.
"All household and close contacts have been identified and given anti-viral preventative treatment.
"Only individuals who have been in prolonged close contact with a case have an increased risk of developing the illness.
"The experience of swine flu in the UK is that the illness is relatively mild and the vast majority of cases make a full recovery."
The university remains open and business is continuing as normal, said a statement on its website.
A girl at St Peter's Methodist primary school in St Peter's Grove has contracted swine flu following an American holiday.
Carol Townsend, head teacher at Hollywood star Orlando Bloom's former school, praised parents for keeping calm during the crisis.
She said: "The child has not been in school for several weeks and there is no concern for the school at all.
"Parents have been sent a letter to reassure them of the situation. No-one has panicked.
"We are delighted the pupil is progressing well and has started to do a little class work at home."
The number of swine flu cases confirmed in Kent now stands at 25.
2 Comments
by Jaci Cross, kent
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 11:31AM
“Your comments are valid, my son returned from Uni in Kent with ALL the symptons and was extremely unwell, he was tested over 10 days ago and we have received no results no medication and no instruction to remain at home! Testing has now stopped on new cases of suspected Swine Flu because they can not cope with the increase in demand. If they dont test how can they know how many cases are out there. Thankfully he has made a full recovery and no other family members have shown symptons YET.”
by Chris, Canterbury
Thursday, June 25 2009, 5:01PM
“I think the swine flu is far more widespread than the authorities are letting on. Here in Canterbury many people have been suffering from what at first seemed like a cold but has been pretty virulent- this was before the reports from the university. The idea that only 10 students have it and it didn't spread around the town sounds extremely naive. I wonder if the big strain ever hits whether the government will have the courage to stop international travel or will we all expected to die so the airlines can make money? Judging by the way they handled this outbreak I doubt they will do anything until it's too late....”