E.coli alert school bans handshake tradition
HANDSHAKES have been banned at a public school after a student fell ill to a rare strain of e-coli.
The traditional handshaking ceremony that takes place after assemblies at Bedales School in Steep, near Petersfield, has been temporarily scrapped amid fears it could spread infection.
Headteacher Keith Budge took the decision after being told on Sunday that a 15-year-old student had been diagnosed with toxin-producing e-coli strain 0157, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting and can prove fatal.
Mr Budge said: 'We have already checked hygiene arrangements across the school and will be advising all staff and students to follow good hygiene practice.
'The school's traditional handshaking ceremony after assembly has been suspended until we get the all-clear.'
The teenager reported feeling unwell last Monday – the day after she returned from the Easter holidays.
She is not thought to have contracted the infection at school and the risk of it spreading is low, says the Health Protection Agency.
She is recovering at home, and tests are being carried out on two close relatives who may also be infected.Eleven students and two staff are undergoing checks.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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