We have identified that a number of children within school are off ill at the present time with symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. The numbers are larger than would normally be expected, so after discussion with the Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Team we are writing to parents. The symptoms are suggestive of viral gastroenteritis (also known as norovirus) and it is known that high levels of viral illness are currently circulating in the community.

If your child is affected with these symptoms we would like to reiterate to parents, carers and staff members that children should remain off school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.

This advice will be strictly adhered to for the general health and wellbeing of the whole school

community.

We would like to thank you for your co-operation in this matter. Information leaflets about viral gastroenteritis are available from http://www.patient.co.uk/health/norovirus-leaflet

Yours sincerely

Consultant in Health Protection