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China quarantines school groups China quarantines school groups
(20 minutes later)
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.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 eight - four British and four American - 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.
China has taken an aggressive approach to containing the spread of swine flu.China has taken an aggressive approach to containing the spread of swine flu.
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.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.
High temperaturesHigh temperatures
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.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.
They were taken straight from the airport to a hospital where it was confirmed they had the virus. A fourth classmate fell ill later.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 American children had been in contact with the UK group and four of them were also diagnosed as having the virus.The American children had been in contact with the UK group and four of them were also diagnosed as having the virus.
UK Foreign Office officials say 52 British schoolchildren and their teachers are now quarantined in a Beijing hotel.UK Foreign Office officials say 52 British schoolchildren and their teachers are now quarantined in a Beijing hotel.
The BBC understands a similar number of Americans is also under quarantine.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.Amii van Amerongen, from London, told the BBC that her 15-year-old sister was one of the children under quarantine.
"She called me this morning telling me that she is confined in a hotel and she is being very brave about the whole thing. She said it was quite intimidating - they have these 'guns' that they point at your head which measures your temperature," she said. "She called me this morning telling me that she is confined in a hotel and she is being very brave about the whole thing. She said it was quite intimidating - they have these 'guns' that they point at your head which measure your temperature," 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".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 students are from schools across England.The UK students are from schools across England.
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust said they were among a group of 278 children aged 14 and older - plus 49 teachers - which left the UK earlier this week.The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust said they were among a group of 278 children aged 14 and older - plus 49 teachers - which left the UK earlier this week.
China has previously quarantined students in hotelsChina has previously quarantined students in hotels
Their parents have been told that the quarantine should last a week.Their parents have been told that the quarantine should last a week.
It is not known where the American children are from.It is not known where the American children are from.
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 that both groups were on visits 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.
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