Hawkedon Primary School sickness bug infects 130 pupils

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Hawkedon Primary SchoolImage source, Google
Image caption,
The school said a "deep clean" was being undertaken alongside other hygiene measures

About 130 children have been kept at home from the same primary school following an outbreak of a sickness and diarrhoea bug.

Hawkedon Primary School in Wokingham, Berkshire, sent a letter to parents warning them to keep their children at home if they show signs of ill health.

It said a "deep clean" was under way after a fifth of the pupils and some staff were off sick with the bug.

Public Health England (PHE) confirmed it was monitoring the situation.

The school, which has 608 pupils according to its latest Ofsted report, said it would remain open despite the "high levels" of children affected.

In his letter to parents, head teacher Gareth O'Shea said any samples being taken by their children's GPs should be marked with the school's name.

PHE spokesperson Jill Morris said it had received reports of vomiting and diarrhoea among children and staff at the Wokingham Borough Council-run school.

"It's very important that anyone suffering from symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea do not attend school or childcare settings for 48 hours," she said.

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