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Students walking into Rangitoto College - Source: ONE News -
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Students from two colleges on Auckland's North Shore are still waiting for word on whether they have contracted swine flu after visiting Mexico where more than 100 people have died from the virus.
A 25-member party from Rangitoto College and a group including 14 students from Northcote College returned from Mexico at the weekend, some of them with flu-like symptoms.
At Rangitoto College, they are still waiting to hear if 10 students, who are sick, have the deadly swine flu.
For Rangitoto's 3,500 students, it was back to school on Monday after the holidays, stepping into an international health scare.
"It's bizarre - obviously we are in the centre of a world wide health scare which is not a very pleasant place for any one to be," says principal David Hodge.
The day's first lesson began with a briefing from the teacher about swine flu, and what to look out for.
The 22 teenagers and three teachers returned from a three week spanish class trip to Mexico on Saturday.
Ten have since tested positive for Influenza A.
Five boys were sent home before classes even begun when it was discovered they played football with one of their mates who was on the trip and is currently in isolation with his family.
"We were all in changing rooms together and stuff so we don't know what we have to do. They just said we have to go to the health nurse and stuff," says one of the boys.
The school says its trying to carry on as usual until the test results come back in the next two days.
"We don't want to alarm anybody .. but as I say, we are erring on the side of caution throughout all of this," says Hodge.
Meanwhile, a teacher hospitalised with possible swine flu has been sent home. She accompanied the group of students from Rangitoto College on a language trip to Mexico.
The unnamed teacher was in North Shore Hospital over Sunday night being treated with Tamiflu.
And a student from the college was also hospitalised for flu symptoms over the weekend but has since been discharged.
At Northcote College two students and a teacher had sore throats after a trip to central America.
The 14 pupils in the group have been told to stay away from school till the medical drama is sorted.
"They are all despite this situation very positive about the
trip they have been on and I think philosophical about this
unexpected outcome on their return," says
Northcote College Principal Vicki
Barrie
.
For now it is just a matter of waiting and hoping this becomes just
a school holiday war story.
Watch the extended interview video with Vicki Barrie, principal of Northcote College (3:18)
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentalwyn said on 2009-06-18 @ 14:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The general flu causes between 200,000 and 250,000 deaths p.a world wide. Swine flu has caused only a fraction of this number in proportion. There is a temporary cure i.e. Tami flu until a vaccine is produced for H1N1 flu. I don't understand what all the fuss is about?
Janey said on 2009-06-16 @ 09:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think NZ media and health service has been far too blase about this outbreak. The UK's BBC news website has been reporting symptoms and PREVENTION for weeks and has an excellent outbreak map, which clearly shows quick acceleration of the virus. The UK's health service posted information leaflets to every home WEEKS ago. My husband works in a a business where the workers come into contact with lots tourists - they only just received a booklet on the virus 2 days ago. NZ, get with the programme!
skeptic said on 2009-06-16 @ 07:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Thank you Mark Sainsbury for telling us the symptoms, and debunking the mythology. Many of us did not even know that we probably have the swine flu which is probably now widespread in our community. It was clear from the outset that authorities were not taking the drastic steps necessary to contain an epidemic. Since they have created an elaborate ritual to prove that they have done everything possible ... Thank God this was not a SERIOUS pandemic.
FightFlu said on 2009-05-04 @ 23:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
I absolutely agree Tis, this particular virus could have been a lot worse. Due to information technology these days we have highly accessible and up to date information to keep us informed, and with knowledge is power. As long as the people remain calm, and keep informed we should be able to keep the Swine Flu at a safe distance.
Tis said on 2009-05-02 @ 11:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
This scare could perhaps prepare us well for a more severe future pandemic - e.g. Ok, so all the focus is on Tamiflu - but what about ensuring enough antibiotics to treat secondary infections from a new influenca - and do we have enough of those machines in hospitals to help people breath when they are in acute respiratory distress - lets hope so!