Flu outbreak is a first in France
Cases in Toulouse school are not linked to travellers from infected countries or contact with them.
THE FIRST outbreak of swine flu to originate in France has been confirmed at a collège in the outskirts of Toulouse.
Seven students are affected and were taken to hospital, along with five of their friends and a teacher, for treatment of their symptoms.
Until this point, all 80 confirmed cases in France had been traced back to recent travel in infected areas or close contact with those that had done so.
It is now clear that the A-H1N1 virus, also known as Grippe A (renamed to enforce the point that eating pork products does not pose a risk) is spreading in France by itself.
Children who attend the school near Toulouse and their parents have been advised to wash their hands regularly and wear face masks until the situation clears up.
The school will be closed for a few days and all students and their families will be tested for the virus.
In spite of the outbreak Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot, is reluctant to raise the country’s official risk level to its highest rating 5A/B.
As the number of confirmed cases and those under investigation remain low and because no-one has died as a direct result of contracting Grippe A, the official level remains 5A.
If this should change, France can place limitations on those going into and out of the country and place people in quarantine.
Depending on the strength of any future outbreak, establishments such as schools and nurseries may be closed and large public events cancelled.
