THREE Teign School, Kingsteignton, students have been diagnosed with swine flu.

But principal Vyv Game said the school would stay open, in line with government advice.

He said: 'We have been informed that three pupils have been given over-the-phone diagnoses of swine flu and are being treated with tamiflu.

'The school will remain open and staff and pupils are keeping calm.

'Nobody is being silly about it, as swine flu is mild in the vast majority of cases.

'Children need to be educated, and we have been advised that closure is unnecessary.

'If every school that had a pupil diagnosed closed then half the schools in the country would.'

A spokesman for Devon Primary Care Trust said: 'Teign School will remain open in line with the very latest government advice.

'As of July 2 the swine flu is being diagnosed by GPs but is no longer being laboratory-tested.

'This means that suspected cases are no longer laboratory-confirmed.

'Most people in this country have been affected only mildly by the flu and this remains the position in Devon.'

War veterans visiting Year 9 students at the school were not deterred by the outbreak, telling Mr Game that they would not be put off by 'a little bit of swine flu', after everything they had seen in the war.

Some Year 10 students on work experience placements were sent home by their placement companies after bosses heard the news.

'In the circumstances, the companies involved thought it was unsuitable for the pupils to remain at work,' said Mr Game.

The news comes after several students at Exeter University and two teachers at Kelly College, Tavistock, were diagnosed with the virus.

at the time of going to press, no other schools in Teignbridge had pupils diagnosed with the virus, but all are 'keeping a watchful eye' on the situation.

A Devon County Council spokesman said: 'We are taking advice from all the national and local health agencies and we have contingency plans in place in case the virus spreads.'

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New government advice:

People are advised to call the swine flu information line 08001 513 513 or visit http://www.nhs.uk&quot;>www.nhs.uk <http://www.nhs.uk/where&quot;>http://www.nhs.uk/where they can check any symptoms they may have.

People should only call NHS Direct 0845 46 47 or their GP if they have used these information sources first.

They should not attend walk-in centres, NHS hospitals or GP practices in person if they have symptoms.

You should always: Ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water, Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs, Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, Place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible