Expatica news

Belgian primary school closed due to swine flu

BRUSSELS – Belgian health authorities decided Friday to close a primary school in a Brussels suburb after a 10-year boy was found to have swine flu after a trip to the United States.

"As a precautionary measure, the school is closed until Tuesday 2 June inclusive. All families have been asked to remain at home and monitor the state of their children," a statement from the government’s flu committee said.

The boy, who attends a state school in the suburb of Tervuren, returned from the United States showing no symptoms of any sickness, but he fell ill Wednesday and remained home.

Tests Thursday showed that he had the A(H1N1) virus, which was first uncovered in Mexico last month and has killed more than 100 of the roughly 13,400 people who have contracted it in 48 countries.

"All the pupils in the child’s class, and their teachers, received anti-viral medical treatment," the statement said.

A 30-year-old Brussels man was also found Thursday to have contracted the virus, also following a trip to the United States, bringing to 10 the number of cases in Belgium.

AFP / Expatica