~~Pupils Offered Bird Flu Treatment

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Children at a primary school are being offered anti-bird flu treatment as a pupil is thought to have the virus. 
The year five pupil at Ysgol Henllan, Denbighshire, is linked to a smallholding near Corwen, Conwy, where a mild form of the virus was found. 
Officials said nine 11-year-olds in years five and six were being offered tamiflu to protect them from infection. 
Four people have tested positive for bird flu and 11 have shown flu-like symptoms, but no-one is seriously ill. 

The child who is believed to have the virus is said to be responding to treatment at home. 

This is an unusual step for us to take because the risk of the infection being passed from the child to other pupils is so small. 
Dr Brendan Mason, NPHS 

Twelve children and two teachers from the school have been identified as having been in prolonged close contact with the pupil, on days when there was a "small risk" of the child being infectious. 
Only these children and staff have been offered tamiflu - an antiviral medication which reduces the severity of any impact of the infection. 
The parents of each child are being contacted by staff at the National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS). 
Dr Brendan Mason from the NPHS, said: "This is an unusual step for us to take because the risk of the infection being passed from the child to other pupils is so small. 
"However, this particular virus usually only affects birds and is relatively unknown in humans. Its clinical characteristics have not been fully defined. 
"It is very rare to see this particular flu virus so we are taking every reasonable precaution to eliminate it from the community." 
Dr Mason said the NPHS was contacting all parents by letter to invite them to meet officials at 1700 BST on Monday and Tuesday. 
"From a public health perspective, the school will be safe to reopen as normal after the half term break. The risk of avian flu to the public is low." 
Officials have now traced 36 people in total who may have been in contact with the disease, although only 11 of these have shown flu-like symptoms. 
The confirmed case involved a smallholding at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Conwy. 

Owners Tony Williams and Barbara Cowling, who have tested negative for the virus, called in a vet after their Rhode Island Red chickens began to die. 
They bought the chickens at Chelford Market at Macclesfield, Cheshire, some 70 miles (112 km) away, on 7 May. 
A total of 30 chickens from the smallholding have now been slaughtered after 15 birds died. 
Officials have stressed that the disease found at the Conwy farm was the H7N2 strain of bird flu, not the more virulent H5N1. 
The second possible case emerged on Saturday about 35 miles (56 km) away, at a farm on the outskirts of Efailnewydd, near Pwllheli. It has also been linked to the market. 
Officials have said there is not a "significant risk" to public health. A helpline has been set up to offer information about bird flu. The number is 0845 600 3678, and it is open from 0700 - 2000 BST daily. 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants to hear from anyone - who has not already been contacted - who purchased from or supplied to Chelford Market, Cheshire, on Monday, 7 May, or any poultry keeper who visited the market on that day whose birds have subsequently become ill. 
They are asked to contact their local animal health office or the Defra helpline 08459 335577. Lines are open between 0900 - 1700 BST seven days a week

~~Pupils Offered Bird Flu Treatment

Mild bird flu found in Wales spreads to humans

Precautionary action at Ysgol Henllan, Denbighshire