TWO children have tested positive for swine flu and have been taken out of their South Harrow primary school.

The pupils, from the same class at Earlsmead First and Middle School, in Arundel Drive, were discovered to have a mild form of the virus last week and have been recovering at home ever since.

Their families have been vaccinated and the parents of the remaining pupils have been informed.

Councillor Anjana Patel, responsible for schools and children's services at Harrow Council, described their symptoms as “very mild”.

She said: "These pupils have been recovering at home over the last week.

"The school remains open under the advice of the Health Protection Agency, which states in its guidelines that anyone showing flu symptoms should stay at home until better."

Harrow's first case of the virus, which has infected around 1,582 people across the UK and killed a woman in Scotland, was confirmed last week.

NHS Harrow, formerly Harrow PCT, has issued advice on how to stop swine flu spreading, urging residents to cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing and use a tissue when possible.

The organisation also suggests disposing of dirty tissues quickly and carefully, washing hands frequently with soap and water and cleaning hard surfaces, like door handles.

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The council could not confirm whether the two pupils from the school, near the borders with Ealing and Hillingdon, were from Harrow.