Two schools in the Free State have been shut down for a week after more than 100 pupils contracted influenza B and human rhinovirus.
The Free State Education Department said Philippolis and Bergmanshoogte Primary Schools in the Xhariep District were closed after the outbreaks, reports News24, with some children being admitted to hospital.
Provincial Education Department spokesperson Howard Ndaba said the Grade R to Grade 5 classes “are the hardest hit, with six pupils out of 96 (who) tested positive with these viruses being hospitalised”.
Ndaba said the department had taken advice from the Health Department and suspended classes to avoid any further spread, adding: “The department rejects rumours – that the outbreak results from food poisoning from school meals – as pure conjecture, devoid of any facts.”
Schools will be fumigated before pupils return.
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