Flu in the middle of summer: lessons from an influenza outbreak in a primary school

Abstract

The Leeds Health Protection Unit (HPU) was notified of an outbreak of an influenza-like illness at a Primary School in June 2004. Specimens from 2 out of 5 children who had viral swabs were confirmed influenza A (H1N1). The outbreak resulted in a total of 112 children (attack rate 45.3% of those who completed the questionnaire), 2 staff and 84 family members being ill. Fifty percent of those who were ill visited their GPs and one child was admitted to hospital with influenza like symptoms. The control measures implemented consisted of promoting personal hygiene and exclusion of children who were ill from school.