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UK children quarantined in China China quarantines school groups
(30 minutes later)
A group of 52 UK schoolchildren and their teachers have been quarantined in a Beijing hotel after four children were found to have swine flu. More than 100 schoolchildren and their teachers from the UK and US have been quarantined in Beijing after eight children were found to have swine flu.
The four are being treated in a Beijing hospital and all are said to be in a stable condition. The eight - four British and four American - are being treated in a Beijing hospital and all are said to be in a stable condition.
The children had just started a visit to the country to learn about Chinese culture and language.The children had just started a visit to the country to learn about Chinese culture and language.
The BBC also understands that another group of schoolchildren - from the US - has also been quarantined in Beijing. China has taken an aggressive approach to containing the spread of swine flu.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville, in Beijing, says the American children had been in contact with the UK group and four of them were also later diagnosed as having the virus. It has quarantined hundreds of foreign visitors who have shown symptoms of the H1N1 virus or who have travelled with people suspected of having the disease.
Three of the four UK children were found to have high temperatures when they arrived in Beijing earlier in the week, our correspondent says. High temperatures
They were taken straight from the airport to a hospital where it was confirmed they had the virus. A fourth classmate fell ill later in the week. The BBC's Quentin Sommerville, in Beijing, said three of the four UK children were found to have high temperatures when they arrived in Beijing earlier in the week.
Mexico row They were taken straight from the airport to a hospital where it was confirmed they had the virus. A fourth classmate fell ill later.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed on Saturday that the four children had been been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. The American children had been in contact with the UK group and four of them were also diagnosed as having the virus.
It said British Embassy officials in China were trying to make contact with the organisers of the school group and their schools in the UK "to ensure that full information is available to all those involved". UK Foreign Office officials say 52 British schoolchildren and their teachers are now quarantined in a Beijing hotel.
The group is made up of mostly 14-year-olds from schools across England. The BBC understands a similar number of Americans is also under quarantine.
Amii van Amerongen, from London, told the BBC that her 15-year-old sister was one of the children under quarantine.
"She doesn't seem particularly upset at being confined in a hotel with a pool and a group of American boys," she said.
A Foreign Office statement said British Embassy officials in China were trying to make contact with the organisers of the school group and their schools in the UK "to ensure that full information is available to all those involved".
The UK group is made up of mostly 14-year-olds from schools across England.
China has previously quarantined students in hotelsChina has previously quarantined students in hotels
Their parents have been told that the quarantine - in a four-star Beijing hotel - should last a week. Their parents have been told that the quarantine should last a week.
Chinese officials told the BBC that the children were being well looked after and they had regular contact with their families.Chinese officials told the BBC that the children were being well looked after and they had regular contact with their families.
It is understood the group was on a visit organised by the Confucius Institute, an official Chinese body which promotes Chinese language and culture overseas. It is understood that both groups were on visits organised by the Confucius Institute, an official Chinese body which promotes Chinese language and culture overseas.
Simon Calder, travel editor for the UK's Independent newspaper, told the BBC that many countries were using "thermal imaging" at airports to test travellers.Simon Calder, travel editor for the UK's Independent newspaper, told the BBC that many countries were using "thermal imaging" at airports to test travellers.
"You queue up to get your visa, you then queue up to get your temperature taken," he said."You queue up to get your visa, you then queue up to get your temperature taken," he said.
"A number of people are reporting they've had to fill quite complicated forms out about their state of health."A number of people are reporting they've had to fill quite complicated forms out about their state of health.
"Britain is seen by a number of countries as a possible high-risk area. Of course the vast majority of people who contract swine flu actually get better with paracetamol and rest.""Britain is seen by a number of countries as a possible high-risk area. Of course the vast majority of people who contract swine flu actually get better with paracetamol and rest."
China drew criticism in May when it quarantined a group of Mexican tourists who later complained they were badly treated.China drew criticism in May when it quarantined a group of Mexican tourists who later complained they were badly treated.
Mexican officials said its citizens had been being unfairly confined and that the Mexican ambassador was denied access to the group being held at a Beijing hotel.Mexican officials said its citizens had been being unfairly confined and that the Mexican ambassador was denied access to the group being held at a Beijing hotel.
However, China said the steps it had taken were both lawful and justified.However, China said the steps it had taken were both lawful and justified.
Have you or your family been quarantined in China? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.Have you or your family been quarantined in China? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions