A number of cases of swine have been confirmed at a national school in Co Cavan, the Health Service Executive said today.
The HSE began an investigation after a number of pupils fell ill with a suspected virus, displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches and fatigue. The outbreak was later confirmed to be mostly due to swine flu.
The school, which is understood to be Laragh National School, Co Cavan, has remained open, the HSE said, with measures taken to minimise the risk of the spread of the flu.
Specialist in public health medicine with the HSE Dr Peter Finnegan said the public health team was available to advise the school at all times. He advised parents to keep sick children at home for seven days from the onset of symptoms and said children who were sick at school would be sent home.
"Staying at home when sick will allow a child to rest and allows carers to monitor their health closely. It also protects other children and staff members especially those at higher risk of severe illness from flu," he said.
More than 800 swine flu cases have been confirmed in Ireland since the outbreak began, with 80 per cent of those affecting people under 35. Two people have died.