THE norovirus outbreak which resulted in 60 New Forest students missing school is believed to be under control.

Officials from Public Health England (PHE) were alerted on Friday, September 25, after dozens of pupils at New Milton Junior School fell ill with the highly contagious vomiting bug.

The virus, usually most prevalent during the winter months, is spread by contaminated food, water and surfaces.

Parents of affected students were advised to keep their children away from the school for at least 48 hours after the symptoms had cleared.

And on Friday head teacher Kelvin Geary told the Echo that absence levels for sickness had returned to a normal level.

He added that the school had undergone a deep clean last Sunday and that it was following additional cleaning precautions advised by PHE.

“This will continue until we are absolutely certain there are no further cases,” said Mr Geary.

PHE has confirmed it has no further involvement in this outbreak