Nine schools in Birmingham will be closed today as a result of the "winter sickness" bug that continues to sweep across the region.
Six of the schools will remain shut on Friday in a bid to rid them of the illness which at its peak closed at least 21 schools on one day in the West Midlands - 17 of which were in Birmingham.
Pupils have been struck down by two infections - the flu-like Influenza B, characterised by sore throats, aches, high temperature and nausea, and the "winter vomiting disease" Norovirus, which also produces diarrhoea.
Hundreds have succumbed to the unprecedented out-break - described by one Birmingham head as the worst illness outbreak in 21 years at her school. In addition to the closures, dozens others have been affected by high absences, in some cases up to 50 per cent. High numbers of staff have also been off ill.
Health officials have sent information on the infections to GPs and schools across the region.
The schools closed today are Hamilton Primary Special, Handsworth; Shenley Court School (years 8 and 9); and The International School (year 9 only).
In addition, Tame Valley Primary, Bromford Bridge; Princethorpe Junior, Weoley Castle; St Saviour's CofE Primary School, Saltley; Anglesey Primary School, Lozells; Kingstanding Special School, Kingstanding; and Four Dwellings Primary, Quinton, will be closed today and tomorrow.
