Jewish school forced to close after virus hits staff and pupils

“We have communicated fully with parents and we appreciate their support and understanding.”

PHE said it had been made aware that a number of staff and pupils at the school have been suffering with symptoms in common with the norovirus. The nature of the infection had yet to be confirmed.

The organisation was working with the school to provide hygiene and infection control advice to stop the illness spreading.

Lucianne Lambourne, senior health protection practitioner at Public Health England East, said: “Norovirus affects people of all ages. It is highly contagious and although unpleasant, people usually recover within two to three days. Good hygiene such as hand-washing and disinfecting contaminated surfaces is the key to preventing this infection spreading.”

Norovirus is one of the most frequent cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales. It is also known as the “winter vomiting disease” due to its seasonality and typical symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. The symptoms usually last from 12 to 60 hours and will start with the sudden onset of nausea.