Vomiting bug closes primary school

Willowbank School in Howick has been closed by the Ministry of Health due to a vomiting bug. Photo / Willowbank School

An Auckland primary school has been closed by Auckland Regional Public Health Service after a number of pupils and staff came down with a vomiting bug.

Willowbank School in Howick has published a message on its website saying: "We have been officially closed by the Ministry of Health, parents and caregivers can you please collect your children from school immediately."

Principal Deidre Alderson said the decision to close the school had been made to "break the cycle" of infection after the number of children and staff sick with vomiting spiked.

"We have had a number of children and staff who have been affected by the tummy bug over the last few weeks but it escalated quite sharply over the last couple of days."

She said the bug was gastroenteritis and the decision was made to close the school after consultation with health departments.

The school has close to 800 students.

"It wasn't a decision that was made lightly. We knew that we had to do something and do it fast."

She said she understood the "huge implications" for parents who have had to leave work to collect students.

"We're just so grateful that the community and the parents have responded so well. The overwhelming response has been very supportive."

She said the bug usually lasted for 48 hours and she hoped to have the school re-opened on Monday.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said it was working closely with the school to identify the source of the outbreak and prevent anyone else from falling ill.

"ARPHS is taking this outbreak seriously," Medical Officer of Health Dr Michael Hale said.

"It is important to prevent more children getting sick from what is a very unpleasant bug, and we are confident that proper hand hygiene and cleaning of the school will contain the outbreak."

Willowbank School has been closed by the Ministry of Health. Please collect your child or children ASAP.http://t.co/rECBhlT0nR

— Willowbank School (@willowbanknz) November 27, 2014

URGENT MESSAGE

We have been offically closed by the Health Department, children will be need to be collected immediately.

— Willowbank School (@willowbanknz) November 27, 2014