Hello , when the hell in history has a school closed just because of flu? Use your reasoning abilty! Obviously people are scared and our country is too laid back to do anything of significant value! Maybe we should all shower, then we can avoid HIV and Swine Flu. Come on SA Catch a wake up! These are our kids: 1: Close all the schools 2: Issue Carbon filter face masks to every one where ever possible 3: Make the screening test free! Not R800 to see if you sick! Oh sorry I forgot we will rather have large lunches to celebrate the opening of Parliment, elobrate lunches at the CTICC then spend a little of that money on the citizens who, without them...there wouldn't be a fat cat in sight!

Seeming as the H1N1 virus is apparent (according to the general consensus) a hoax then why is it that genetic researchers have found that it is a virus that is mutates at a very high rate. By this I mean that one simple change in its genetic code has made the H1N1 virus un-treatable by Tamiflu in Japan. But of course I forgot, its all a hoax. I had this seasons "normal" flu. Its not "normal", if not caught early it opens up even the most immune strong person to bacterial infections. Most children are considered "immuno-weak" because their bodies are still not completely able to generate the needed antibodies. So of course if you believe that this is a scam and you have kids, send them to school even if they are getting sick but don't expect any sympathy if they get ill and die. PS, if you think the journalist (or any other journalist) is talking rubbish then don't use this website. We are all entitled to our opinion and we don't have to conform to one single person's single minded way of thinking.

It's just flu! While I understand the fact that it may be a particularly bad form of flu, at the end of the day normal flu kills about as many if not more people in a year, especially in poorer countries. I haven't heard any outcry about that! The media need to lay off this subject (not only IOL, but all other media sources) as all they are doing is spreading unnecessary panic. At some point in their lives, everyone gets flu. At the end of the day, you know your body, you know when it's worse than normal and you know when more intensive medical treatment is needed. What's happening at the moment, with the widespread panic, is that doctors and pathology labs are inundated with panic-stricken people who rush out to be tested at the first sign of a blocked nose. That in itself is a huge problem as it opens up the opportunity for people who really are sick to be misdiagnosed and mistreated.

Why all the anger people? We're confused. Everyone seems to be experts on swine flu and the mixed up information has us all fearing the worse. I for one am very concerned because I have a 2 year old who goes to a creche. Parents are scared for their children.

Why not take the rest of the term.....sorry year off.....Afterall next year is going to "lekke" with the world cup.....what a farse....

If someone working at the school says that the school closure was because of the spreading of normal flu in the boarding house then Mr Williams should be seriously concerned about his journalistic skills. This isn't just a case of confusing the facts - he is blatantly spreading lies and "fanning the fire" just to get published. He has totally lost his credibility as far as I'm concerned.

No, swine flu is no ordinary flu....I assume you are saying "It's only flu, no need to panic"...That's what Mugabe said about cholera in Zim remember? I work at a university and we are deeply concerned and were long before this article was published.

@ WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR FACTS? Are you going to tell me that last year you did not have normal flu? If you did why did you not close the school? The reason the school was close are because of fears for swine flu.

Media hype fanning the flames, apart from spreading a bit faster there is no difference between this flu and any other typical winter flu that goes around. Oh and watch out for the consipracy theorist lunatics who think its a whole big nast plot by the fascist World Health Organisation to depopulate the earth (imbeciles)

Hey guys, get your facts straight! I actually work at the abovementioned Oranjezicht school and can confirm that it was shut because of normal flu spreading through the boarding house - NOT swine flu!!!! Do you guys just write anything for sensation these days? It casts serious doubt on all your reporting!