Flu outbreak closes Stockport high school for five days Published duration 7 December 2016

image copyright Google image caption About 330 pupils and 25 members of staff are off sick with flu at Bramhall High School

A flu outbreak has closed a school for five days after almost a third of pupils and members of staff were struck by the virus.

About 330 pupils and 25 staff at Bramhall High School in Stockport, Greater Manchester, have been off since Tuesday.

In a letter, head teacher Lynne Fox said cases were "continuing to rise" causing an "unprecedented situation".

The 1,200-pupil school is due to reopen on 13 December.

Mrs Fox took action following guidance from Public Health England and she said a "deep clean" of the site would be carried out.

She said the closure would allow "a period of recuperation" for those who are ill and "avoid any danger of re-infection".

The school advised anyone with lung, heart, liver, kidney, or neurological disease, diabetes or an impaired immune system to see their GP and seek the flu vaccine.

What is flu?

image copyright SPRINGER MEDIZIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY image caption There are 18 different types of influenza A

Influenza (flu) is a viral infection affecting the lungs and airways

Symptoms include: headache, fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints

Complications include bacterial pneumonia and can be life-threatening

Those at most risk include older people and people with underlying health conditions

There are two types of influenza affecting people - influenza A and influenza B

[Source: Public Health England]