Teachers and health bosses are bracing themselves for a sharp rise in swine flu cases as schools return for the start of the new term.

Dozens of students and staff fell ill in the run up to the summer holidays with some schools across the county closing early as a result.

This has sparked concerns from some parents that going back into the school environment will put their children at risk of infection again.

The number of reported cases of swine flu among adults and children has dipped over the last two months while people have been on holiday.

But a second wave of cases is widely expected later this year, despite the planned introduction of a vaccine against the virus.

Health bosses are now urging parents not to be concerned and claiming it will be business as usual for schools.

West Sussex Primary Care Trust acting director of public health, Peter Hayward, said: “We have been closely monitoring the spread and severity of swine flu over the school holidays and are assured there is very no benefit of closing individual schools at this time to stop the spread of the disease.

“We continue to work closely with all schools in Sussex, and our local authority partners, to ensure that schools have the latest information and advice, are prepared, and have taken all necessary steps to prevent the spread of viruses.

“While schools and early years settings remain open, we would strongly urge all parents to continue to send their children there, unless they have any symptoms of flu.

“If your child does start to become unwell with flu-like symptoms, you should keep them at home and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service website or telephone 0800 1513100for further advice.

“However, if your child has a serious underlying illness, is under one year old, or if their condition suddenly gets much worse, please contact your doctor directly.

“Parents and children can also help to reduce the risk of catching or spreading swine flu by maintaining good basic hygiene, such as always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, disposing of dirty tissues promptly, and carefully and regularly washing your hands.”

Parents and GPs are also being urged not to mistake meningitis for swine flu The two illnesses can be easily mixed up because they have similar symptoms, including aches and pains and cold hands and feet and cases of meningitis typically rise at this time of year.

At least two people are already known to have died from meningitis after mistakenly being diagnosed with swine flu.