Swine flu teacher's stag woe
NANTWICH Town striker Michael Lennon has been diagnosed with swine flu after returning from his stag party in Las Vegas.
The 27-year-old semi-professional, pictured, works as a PE teacher at Longton's Edensor Technology College, which is at the centre of the outbreak.
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STILL OPEN: Edensor Technology College carried on after NHS advice.
He is one of two players from the football club to have contracted the virus following the trip in the recent half-term break.
The other, defender Mark Beeston, went on the same U.S. holiday and is recovering well at his Madeley home after being given anti-viral drugs.
It is understood the pair only found out they had been exposed to swine flu after another man from their party was diagnosed late last week and they were advised to have tests.
But by then, Mr Lennon, who lives in Trentham, had been back at school for several days. Apart from feeling tired, he had not shown any signs of being unwell.
He was sent home from work on Friday and tests at the weekend confirmed he had the virus. Mr Lennon, who is at home in quarantine, declined to comment to The Sentinel yesterday.
His fiancée Stephanie Brookes has also been given tablets as a precaution. The couple are due to marry in August.
Edensor Technology College has remained open and health officials stress pupils and other staff are not at significant risk of contracting swine flu.
Dr Judith Bell, public health director for NHS North Staffordshire, said: "After carefully balancing the risks and benefit, it was decided there was no reason to close the school.
"The decision was made by the Health Protection Agency in consultation with ourselves and the local education authority.
"But if any contacts of the confirmed case start to show symptoms, we will review that decision. There is no need for parents to panic.
"Meanwhile, it is vital that anyone at the school coming down with a heavy cold or flu should go home and stay at home. They should telephone their own GP surgery or NHS Direct."
No other member of Edensor staff is thought to have been on the week-long Vegas trip.
Nantwich Town's Head Coach Steve Davis said: "I spoke to Michael, who told me he's been to the doctors and been diagnosed with it. But he's on anti-viral tablets and feels OK, just bunged up and tired.
"There have been some serious cases in Mexico, so it was a relief when I spoke to him."
The players were due to start pre-season training this Thursday and the club are not expecting the pair to attend.
Mr Lennon first burst on to the non-league scene with Newcastle Town in 2001.
The native North Easterner, who also used to play for Kidsgrove Athletic, has earned a reputation as a goal scorer at Nantwich.
Staff quarantined to prevent swine flu
7 Comments
by lisa mansell, longton
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 4:21PM
“i would just like to pass on my best wishes to on mr lennon and hope he has a speedy recovery and hope he soon back to school teachin my son dean p.e”
by Alan, Staffordshire
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 11:09AM
“Gwendolen, I think Warren was on about the virtues of Viagra.”
by Gwendolen, Trentham
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 10:58AM
“I'm so glad you once got to extoll the virtues of Vagus, Warren. Most men don't even know where it is.”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 10:55AM
“Matt... or lost his shirt at one of the tabels, you can't half get carryed away out there you know. Jammies got nowt do with it anyway, it hardly costs the earth to travel to the US now, or indeed most places in the world. Anyway, the lads feeling much better I belive, and if he gets out again , can he put $25 on red 32 at the ruelett wheel, on health grownds it another year in dear old Blity for me.”
by Matt, Tunstall
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 9:27AM
“Hope your wedding goes off with out a hitch, you could do with some luck after this.”
by Matt, Tunstall
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 9:25AM
“I can't believe I read in previous days comments that this bloke should be sacked.
For contracting a virus. I'm guilty of that a couple of times a year, glad you lot aren't by boss.
As for having a jolly in vegas, I would of said he was jammy, if he didn't come down with a touch of the trotters.
Most employees have to have whats called holidays, so I imagine he's taken this trip using those holidays.
Get a grip Stoke, if there was cause for alarm, the entire school would be closed.”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 9:01AM
“Before all the mad people and people out of there mind with envy becouse they are never going to afford a few days in Vagus, may I remind you that this man went on holaday in his own time, payed for it with his own cash and has every right to do this. Good on him, hope he enjoyed himself and gets well soon. I went to Vagas a few years ago, brill place it is.”