A Dunedin primary school is being hit hard by sickness as a late flu season continues to plague students and teachers across Otago.
Balaclava School has had a quieter campus than usual this week with about 60 pupils absent on different days because of illness.
Principal Greg Marsh said a ‘‘multitude’’ of illnesses have affected attendance at the school.
‘‘Some children have tested positive for the flu, but also we’ve had vomiting and diarrhoea bugs as well.’’
He said it was ‘‘out of norm’’ for the school, but was hopeful the peak would fade soon and it would be back to ‘‘business as usual’’ at Balaclava.
‘‘I’m sure it won’t be long and we’ll be back up to the full house.’’
It had been a ‘‘wee bit of a juggle’’ this week managing sickness with some staff members catching bugs as well but the school had handled the challenge.
It had contacted parents, asking them to respect its 48-hour rule regarding vomiting and diarrhoea.
Otago Primary Principals’ Association chairwoman Kim Blackwood previously told the Otago Daily Times term three was always the term with high absences due to sickness.
‘‘Typical coughs and colds alongside tummy bugs are prevalent currently.’’
This year had been no worse than term three in other years, she said.
University of Otago department of biochemistry Prof Kurt Krause said flu-like illnesses were peaking slightly later than normal this year.
The Public Health and Forensic Science respiratory illness dashboard showed community influenza-like illnesses were peaking later this year, in August and September.
Last year, they peaked in June and July and from 2015 to 2019 they peaked in July.