UK school group quarantined on China trip

A group of 52 British schoolchildren and teachers have been quarantined during a trip to China after four were taken to hospital with suspected swine flu, it was revealed today.

The pupils and staff remained in a Beijing hotel while embassy officials attempted to obtain information, according to the Foreign Office.

It is not known where in the UK the group was from.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "A group of 52 children and teachers are being quarantined in their hotel, including four who have been hospitalised.

"The British Embassy in Beijing and the FCO are trying to establish contact with the organisers of the school groups visiting Beijing and their schools in the UK to ensure that full information is available to all those involved."

The FCO website states that medical screening for the swine flu virus has been introduced at several airports for passengers arriving on international flights, including in China.

"Containment measures may be introduced or changed with little or no notice," it said. "You may be required to undergo further tests if you show flu-like symptoms.

"Some countries have put quarantine measures in place for people travelling from affected countries, or in one case at a hotel where an infected person had been staying.

"British nationals who find themselves quarantined overseas should contact their nearest British Embassy/Consulate who will be able to offer consular assistance, though access may be limited due to the quarantine restrictions."

In the section relating to travel advice for China, the FCO states there are confirmed cases of swine flu in the country.

It adds: "The Chinese government continues to place great emphasis on screening and surveillance, rapid detection, quarantine and treatment."

The process can be "confusing and upsetting", with very little information provided in English, according to the FCO advice.

"You should be aware that if any passenger has flu-like symptoms this may lead to all passengers being quarantined for up to seven days, until health officials are satisfied all are free of the A(H1N1) virus," it said. "Any passenger having come into direct/indirect contact with anyone suspected of having the virus may also be quarantined.

"Levels of quarantine differ; all suspected victims are hospitalised, others are confined to hotel rooms, still others are asked to self-monitor and stay at home."