Littlehampton mum and baby fight swine flu

Boni, 20, and Destinee McGee, together with dad, Andrew, who does not have the flu, have been told by doctors not to leave their Beaumont Park, Littlehampton, home "for at least five days".

Leanne Hobbs, Destinee's aunt, said it was a very upsetting time for the whole family. "We are all very scared, especially after hearing about the six-year-old girl from London who died last week.

"The most frustrating thing is not being able to help look after them or even visit them. My brother Andrew is the only one who is allowed to, and he has been told not the leave the house either."

Boni was diagnosed on Saturday, and prescribed the drug Tamiflu, but, Leanne said, she was fearful for Destinee.

Baby was "coughing and sneezing"

"By Tuesday night, Destinee was being sick and was coughing and sneezing. She has been given medication, and we are just all hoping that they both get better.

"We have been told that they will be OK, but it doesn't stop us worrying."

Schools in the area are also starting to report infections, including Connaught Junior School, in Littlehampton, where "a member of the school community" contracted the virus, and letters were sent out to parents as a precaution.

Schools on alert

There have been two confirmed cases at The Angmering School, and a number of children at Rustington Community Primary School have been sent home with suspected swine flu.

David Brixey, Angmering headteacher, said "Two students have been kept off school and parents have informed us that they have swine flu. The symptoms were mild, and they are returning to school.

"We are working closely with the Health Protection Agency and West Sussex County Council and have been advised that relevant information should be given to parents and staff, and that the school should remain open as usual."

He added that the most up-to-date information would be posted into the school's website, www.angmeringschool.co.uk, at regular intervals.

Head at Rustington Primary, Nick White, said that he school was taking extra hygiene precautions, and that letters had gone out to parents.

Parents "measured and sensible"

"All our parents have been very measured and sensible," he said. "Other than those children with underlying medical conditions, who are working on advice from their GPs, attendance is average."

The county council confirmed that there had been no school closures in Littlehampton, Rustington, Arundel, East Preston, Angmering or Rustington.

A spokesman added: "We are working closely with schools and if there have been individual cases, they send letters home to all parents with advice and contacts."

Flu friends

As the number of infections is expected to rise, the West Sussex Primary Care Trust has advised residents to appoint "flu friends".

"They should be able to collect medicines, food and other supplies for you if you get swine flu, so that you don't have to leave your home. This will help prevent the spread of flu in the community," a spokeswoman said.

She added that anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should call their GP from home, rather than go out.

For more information call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513513 or click here.

There is also a swine flu information centre on our website.