Mystery virus strikes boys' school

A number of secondary pupils were being treated in hospital for a mystery virus tonight after being taken ill at a school in Kildare.

The affected pupils were from a Christian Brothers boys’ school in Naas, which was closed after the outbreak.

Dr Marie Laffoy, of Eastern Regional Health Authority said the provisional diagnosis was that the students were suffering from a highly-infectious “upper respiratory tract viral infection.”

She added “The main thing is to break the chain of transmission.”

The students complained of sore throats and high temperatures, but a tests for meningitis proved negative.

A total of 20 boys, mainly from the senior section of the school, were taken ill and a further 100 failed to turn up for lessons today.

Noel Merrick, the principal of the school, which has about 800 pupils, said the premises been closed until next Monday. Meanwhile the students involved were said to be improving.