Quarantined students return to schools

Quarantined students began filtering back into schools yesterday after authorities gave them the all-clear from swine flu.

About half the students from the Rangitoto College language trip to Mexico slipped back into class without any fuss, principal David Hodge said.

These students and their families had been treated with Tamiflu and had co-operated with the Public Health Service request to remain in quarantine for 72 hours after the medication.

Others who had not started their medication until later on Tuesday would not return to school until Monday.

Some students who had been cleared but had the remains of a sniffle or cough preferred to stay home until Monday because they were scared of the reactions from other students.

Mr Hodge said it was "disappointing" they had been made to feel that way.

Jaimee Berkahn, who had a bit of a cold when she returned from Mexico, but had never tested positive to influenza A and had taken a course of Tamiflu, stayed home because she was worried other students would "freak out" if she was there with a cold.

She missed out on receiving three top-of-subject awards at assembly. Mr Hodge said it was "business as usual" at the college yesterday and no other students had been sent home.

Players from Oratia and East Coast Bays soccer teams who played with a Rangitoto College student who had tested positive for influenza A remained in quarantine while they took a course of Tamiflu.

None of the students were believed to have picked up influenza, but they were quarantined and their game tomorrow was postponed.

None of the Northcote College students who arrived from a separate language trip to Mexico on Saturday tested positive but they were asked to stay home and take Tamiflu.

Principal Vicki Barrie said they were due back today.

Most of the students from Hastings schools Lindisfarne College and Hastings Girls High School had returned to school yesterday, but it is understood a few boys from Lindisfarne were sent home with minor symptoms and told not to return until Monday.

Other schools which had not been affected by swine flu sent letters to parents urging them to err on the side of caution if their children showed any signs of flu-like symptoms by keeping them home and seeking the advice of medical professionals.

Education New Zealand reassured the families of international students that it was not aware of any students who had contracted, or were suspected of contracting, swine flu.

"Incoming passengers from affected areas are being monitored, but no flights into New Zealand have been cancelled," chief executive Robert Stevens said.