SWINE flu has claimed its first victim in the district — with confirmation this week that a Boclair Academy pupil has the disease.
The 13-year-old girl, a second year pupil from Bearsden, is one of two pupils in East Dunbartonshire to be confirmed with the influenza H1N1 virus — the other is a pupil at Cleddens Primary School in Bishopbriggs.
East Dunbartonshire Council has c
onfirmed that the schools will NOT close but guidance letters from the health board have been issued to all parents.
The Boclair district was buzzing with talk of the swine flu case this week and shopkeeper Murdo Young, of Rannoch Drive, said: "It's naturally the talk of the steamie and some parents are more concerned than others.
"Needless to say many of the kids would like the school to be shut because it would give them a holiday."
However, parent council member, the Rev John Craib, who has two children at the school, told the Herald: "I don't see the point in panicking. As a parent I'm not particularly concerned as it would seem the risk to healthy teenagers is not significant.
"I'm sure the authorities have taken into account all the relevant risk factors in making the decision not to close the school, although I think that was a disappointment to the pupils.
"Parents, of course, have to be cautious about the symptoms but I can't see that it would be better having around 950 pupils circulating about the town than in the more managed environment of the school."
A council spokesman confirmed: "NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have the lead role in dealing with cases of swine flu.
"They carry out risk assessments and then give instructions to the council on what procedures are to be followed. We are working closely with our health partners and will continue to follow their guidance."
A spokesman for the NHS said of the decision to keep Boclair open: "Public Health and Health Protection Scotland carry out an individual risk assessment on every situation as it arises.
"Some schools may close but if the contact with other pupils has been limited then the chances of other children in the school developing the infection are extremely low and the school can remain open."
An information leaflet on the swine flu virus with advice on good hygiene measures and symptoms to look out for was given to every parent with the caution: "If your child develops any of the symptoms described in the leaflet in the next seven days keep them at home and phone the GP or NHS 24 on 08454 242424 if outwith surgery hours."
Have you been affected by swine flu? E-mail us here to let us know.
