A HAMPSHIRE school has been hit by a vomiting bug outbreak.

Youngsters at Thornden School in Chandler’s Ford have been hit by an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

The number of the people affected has not been confirmed yet but the school said it is significant.

Investigations are ongoing to identify the cause of the sickness.

Headteacher Su Whelan said: “As well as the weather conditions, we have been hit very badly by a sickness bug affecting a significant number of students and some staff. There is no obvious identifiable starting point for the sickness and we have children who have eaten a range of products in the canteen as well as children who have not been to the canteen in the last day or two.”

Ms Whelan said the school will be cleaned before it opens again.

And added: “While making no suggestion that the outbreak is linked to food served or prepared in school, we will also ensure that all areas where food is produced, stored and served will undergo a thorough deep clean before food is served again. The plan is that this will be carried out over the weekend and before Monday. If weather conditions prevent this, I will contact parents by email and the website on Sunday late afternoon.”

The school has been working with Public Health England (PHE) and Environmental Health.

Dr Girija Dabke, consultant in communicable diseases at PHE, said: “Public Health England is working with a school in Hampshire and other colleagues to investigate an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting and do all we can to prevent the risk of infection spreading further.

“To reduce the possibility of further onward infection we have provided appropriate advice to the school, who are undertaking a deep clean of the premises, and provided information and advice to people with symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting.

“As always in episodes of gastrointestinal illness, the advice is to pay particular attention to good hygiene. It is vital to wash hands thoroughly using liquid soap and warm running water after using the toilet, before and after handling food and after contact with any animals and pets. It is also important to maintain food preparation practices to avoid infections, all meat should be thoroughly cooked and fruit and salad items should be washed before eating.

“Anyone who is concerned about vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms should phone NHS 111 or your GP for advice.”