Nine pupils still in hospital with bug

NINE second-level students from Naas CBS, Co Kildare remain under observation at the local hospital with mystery flu-like symptoms.

Earlier this week, 17 sixth-year students from the school were admitted to Naas Hospital, while three first-year pupils were taken to Tallaght Hospital. All had developed sore throats and high temperatures.

Yesterday a spokesperson for the Eastern Regional Health Authority said 13 of the boys had been discharged and sent home.

About 100 other students remained at home on Thursday when principal Noel Merrick decided the school which has 800 students should close until Monday because of the outbreak. "There are always bugs going around in schools but I have never seen anything like this," he said.

The provisional diagnosis was that the boys had suffered from an upper respiratory tract viral infection. Laboratory tests to establish the cause are ongoing.

A specialist in public health medicine, Dr Margaret Fitzgerald, said meningitis had been ruled out. She moved to reassure parents there were no indications of a serious illness among the students.

The ERHA advises anyone with symptoms of sore throat and high temperature to take paracetamol, drink plenty of liquids and stay at home to prevent any possible further spread of infection.