Gisborne students cleared of H1N1 flu 

Gisborne Boy's High School students suspected of having Influenza A (H1N1) have returned negative test results.

The students were part of a group who returned to Gisborne from a geography trip to Brisbane on Sunday.

Health authorities were contacted after several of the group began displaying mild flu like symptoms.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Geoff Cramp says the 16 students, two teachers and one parent are now free to return to work or the school if they are well.

"The other students, the community and those that have had contact with the students can be reassured that there is no risk of catching the Influenza A (H1N1) virus," says Cramp.

"There has still not been a confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the district and that is what public health efforts are all about, trying to stop it from spreading into our community," he says.

Cramp says the students were isolated only as a precautionary measure as they met the criteria under the Ministry of Health's case definition of a suspected H1N1 case.

Anyone feeling unwell since returning from overseas, or has had contact with someone known confirmed as having Influenza A (H1N1), in the last seven days should stay at home and phone their GP for advice.

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