Schools plea to curb swine flu

Ministers were asked today to consider closing schools this autumn to help curb the number of swine flu infections. It is predicted that cases will soar as the school holidays end.

Two infection experts have argued that a school closure programme could "break the chains of transmission" and buy time to produce a vaccine.

Professor Neil Ferguson and Dr Simon Cauchemez, from the department of infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial College London, also cited studies showing that closing schools at the height of a flu pandemic could cut the number of cases by up to 45 per cent.

Shropshire education officials are waiting to see what Government advice is, before taking any decision.

Russell Griffin, Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman, said advice would be taken but at the current time the authority did not accept that a "blanket closure" of schools would necessary.

He said: "Telford & Wrekin Council has already put plans in place for the new academic year including a system whereby heads will feed back on the anticipated impact that the virus will have on staffing levels at the start of the new term."

Tim Smith, Shropshire Council's assistant director of children and young people's services, said: "There are no plans to close any schools at this stage.

"We are of course monitoring the situation very closely and will liaise with our health partners, as well as following official Government advice, before making any decisions involving schools in the future."

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: "We will be monitoring the situation closely over the school holidays and will review the evidence in late August."