Pupils from the Far East returning to South Lakeland's private schools after the Easter break face days in quarantine as preventative steps are taken to stop a killer bug spreading to the local population.

Concerns that the deadly SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus could be carried back from places like Hong Kong, China and Singapore has led schools who have boarders to put precautionary measures in place to ensure youngsters do not immediately mix with fellow students and staff on their return.

Dozens of people around the globe have died after being infected by the bug which kills by causing pneumonia. The outbreak is centred on the Far East where hundreds of cases have been reported, but it has also spread to Europe, Canada and the United States.

Reassuring letters have gone out to the parents of the 350 pupils at Casterton School, near Kirkby Lonsdale, this week, outlining what the school intends to do to protect boarders from coming into contact with other students, who may have visited infected areas during the break.

School spokeswoman Kay Whitehead, who deals with administration and publicity, said that before returning to the United Kingdom pupils would have to be screened for any infection and provide a certificate of clearance. On arriving back in the UK, pupils will then face a ten-day period of quarantine with their guardians before being allowed back to Casterton, where the school doctor will examine them.

"It's going to be difficult because some of the girls are taking public exams but I think the precautions we have are very good precautions," said Ms Whitehead. "If anyone has the slightest cough or cold then they will be straight off to hospital for observation."

Parents of students from Sedbergh School who have returned to the Far East during the holidays have received a letter and e-mail from the school saying they may return but will be subject to a period of ten days in quarantine.

The school's marketing director Paul Wallace-Woodroffe said there were a handful of pupils who had gone back home to Hong Kong and they would be returning to Sedbergh in two weeks' time.

"They will be isolated from the school on their return and suitable academic arrangements will be made for them involving our medical staff," said Mr Wallace-Woodroffe. "We have our own GP, nurses and matrons to look after them."

At Windermere St Anne's School there are more than 20 pupils from Hong Kong and over half of them went home, but many chose to stay with family and friends in the UK because of concerns about the virus.

"We are making arrangements and trying to encourage those that have returned to Hong Kong to come back to the UK early so that they can go through a period of quarantine of between eight to ten days," said the school's bursar Jim Bloomer. "There are a number of people making different arrangements and we are helping some others. We are just anxious that people have gone through a full period of quarantine before mixing with staff or pupils."

He said there had been concern expressed by other parents, which he described as only natural, but added: "We are not going to allow Hong Kong children back into school and put them next to their child. That will not happen."

Dallam School, at Milnthorpe, has 23 pupils boarding from the Far East, none of whom are returning to the area over the Easter holidays.

The Preston-based Public Health Laboratory Service issued the following advice to independent schools: "Current information suggests that children are at low risk from SARS. As with other returnees, and as long as they are symptom free, they are not a risk to others. They should be allowed to continue their schooling and advised to seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms suggestive of SARS up to ten days after their return."

Travellers are being strongly advised by the Foreign Office not to travel to Hong Kong or the Guangdong province of China. Those insisting on travelling to infected areas are warned that they should have adequate health insurance and anyone developing flu-like symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.

April 11, 2003 09:00