H1N1 cases detected at Bengaluru school; 500+ students fall ill, 2-day holiday declared

Bengaluru: At least two H1N1 cases have been confirmed at Clarence High School in Richards Town after more than 500 students and 21 staff members reportedly developed flu-like symptoms, prompting the school to declare a two-day holiday as a precautionary measure.

Students and staff have reportedly experienced symptoms including fever, cold, cough and body aches amid a severe seasonal flu-like illness outbreak. According to a letter issued by the school, one staff member who tested positive for H1N1 is undergoing treatment at Bangalore Baptist Hospital.

The school will remain closed until August 18, with the two-day break announced as the management responds to the reported illness among students and staff.

While at least two H1N1 cases have been confirmed, the school has not attributed all the reported illnesses to H1N1. The source of the wider flu-like illness outbreak is still being investigated.

“We are not panicking. We are managing. But we cannot do it alone,” the school said in its letter, while seeking urgent intervention from civic authorities.

The school has also raised concerns about several street food and other vendors operating outside its premises, alleging that unhygienic conditions and waste accumulation could pose additional health and safety risks to students.

According to the school, vendors have been blocking the kindergarten gate on Clarke Road and contributing to waste accumulation. It also flagged a kebab vendor near the Pottery Road-John Armstrong Road junction, citing persistent waste and sanitation concerns.

The school has sought immediate health and safety inspections of food vendors operating in the vicinity and urged civic authorities to enforce restrictions on the sale of junk food near educational institutions.

The management said it has already approached the Educational Officer and City Corporation Health Officer, seeking urgent intervention.