PEOPLE are being urged to remain calm by the local Primary Care Trust following a confirmed outbreak of swine flu at The Grange Primary School in Ealing.
Parents and staff have received a letter dated June 21 from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) providing updates and advice.
The letter reads: "One pupil in the Grange Primary School, Year 6 has tested positive for Influenza A/H1N1 virus or "swine flu.
"There are further children with similar symptoms who are presumed to have the same illness.
"As there have been a significant number of children in the school with flu-like illness, it is likely that transmission of the virus has already occurred in the school and the community, therefore there would be no added benefit from closing the school."
A spokeswoman for Ealing PCT said: "A letter has been sent to all parents/guardians giving details of a local flu line which has been made operational for parents to call for advice.
"NHS Ealing is working with the Health Protection Agency and Ealing Council to ensure swift access to antiviral medication for people who have flu-like symptoms.
"Local people will be able to collect antiviral medication from a nearby collection centre in Ealing as directed by their GP.
"The centre will be open from 8am to 8pm to administer antiviral medication to patients who are experiencing flu-like symptoms "
Robert Creighton, chief executive of NHS Ealing said: "I would like to urge local residents not to panic. NHS Ealing is working closely with Ealing Council, Ealing Hospital and other NHS organisations locally to ensure that patients who have symptoms of the virus are looked after properly.
"Currently local patients have very mild symptoms and some pupils are returning to school after two or three days.
"If people take our advice and stay home when they are not well, as they would with any other type of flu-related illness, then we will all be able to get back to normal as quickly as possible."
If your child or family member is unwell with flu like symptoms such as a fever, shivering, aches or pains, cough, headache, blocked or runny nose, sore throat, watery diarrhoea, or cannot stop crying then please call for advice from NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or from your GP by phone.
