School shuts after boy die of flu

23 November 2009 05:00pm

A primary school has closed after the death of one of its pupils, who may have contracted swine flu.

Tests are being carried out to determine whether or not the five-year-old boy died from the H1N1 virus.

He had been admitted to Milton Keynes Hospital, where he died in the early hours of Sunday.

Emberton School, near Olney, Buckinghamshire, a village school for children between the ages of four and seven, placed a message on its website informing parents of the temporary closure. Dr Diane Gray, deputy director of public health for Milton Keynes, said: "My sympathies go out to his parents, family and friends. We don't yet know the cause of this boy's death.

"At this stage, there is no need to change normal behaviour - you should continue to go to school, work and any social activities."

Steve Dunning, headteacher of Emberton School, told the BBC the boy's death had come as a great shock. The school will reopen on Tuesday, on the advice of the Health Protection Agency, a spokesman for Milton Keynes Council said. A special assembly will be held in memory of the boy.

Mr Dunning said: "The staff at Emberton School are very saddened to learn of the death of one of their pupils, who was a confident, delightful and happy student, and will be missed greatly.

"I have spoken directly with the mother and passed on the condolences of all the staff and governors at the school."

Debbie Brock, Conservative Party councillor for Olney, said a toddler group due to be held in Emberton tomorrow had been cancelled as a precautionary measure. She said she did not know the boy's family, but understood he was from Olney.

Ms Brock said: "It must be devastating for them. They must be absolutely heartbroken."

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