THE manager of a Fenland pre-school says people should chill out a bit with fears about swine flu, after two suspected cases at her centre. It has been so hyped up on the television it has made people scared, said Amber Abbs, manager of the Maple Grov

THE manager of a Fenland pre-school today said people should "chill out a bit" with fears about swine flu, after two suspected cases at her centre.

"It has been so hyped up on the television it has made people scared," said Amber Abbs, manager of the Maple Grove Pre-School in March.

"I think we all have got to chill out a bit over it. It is no longer a pandemic and GPs are treating it like any other virus."

Mrs Abbs' plea came after this newspaper received several reports of confirmed swine flu cases at the pre-school, and parents not taking their children to school so they don't risk catching the virus.

She strongly denied these reports, adding that there have been two reports of children showing flu-like symptoms such as achy joints and a sore throat.

Mrs Abbs said: "These cases might not even be swine flu. GPs are only speaking to patients over the phone and tests are no longer carried out."

She added: "We have had no fewer children attend the centre over the last 48 hours. Parents have been pretty sensible about it.

"It is now spreading like any other flu and it is no longer considered as a pandemic. At the moment the strain only lasts a couple of days."

• A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire NHS said people should still take simple measures to prevent infection - such as covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands regularly.

Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms should go home and contact their GP by telephone, or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.