Galway Advertiser 2006/2006_02_09/GA_0902_E1_006.pdf 

Extracted text

6 N E W S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

February 9 2006

No more Kylemore -- Mumps School faces closure sufferers due to fall in vocations
BY MARY O'CONNOR Some 15 cases of mumps have been reported at NUI Galway since Christmas, according to college authorities. About six to eight are positive cases while the remainder are suspected. A spokesperson for the university said yesterday [Wednesday] that if more positive cases emerge the college will run special clinics. Students who fear they have contracted mumps are advised to contact their GP or the university's student health unit. Those who are diagnosed with the condition are requested to stay out of college for 10 days to prevent the spread of infection. Flatmates of those affected are urged to avail of the MMR [measles, mumps, rubella] vaccine. A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive West said there has been a nationwide increase in mumps among teenagers and young adults since November 2004. "The majority of cases have been in those who were never vaccinated or only received one dose of MMR. Some universities and third level colleges around the country have reported mumps outbreaks among their students since the end of 2004. It is because of this that a national campaign was introduced in 2005 to ensure that students entering college receive two doses of MMR vaccine if they have not already done so." She explained that the mumps infection in young adults may present with a number of complications hence the need to provide protection through vaccination. "Some of the complications may include orchitis (acute inflammation of the testicle in young men), oophoritis (inflammation of the ovary in young women), and possible meningitis and e n c e p h a l i t i s (inflammation of the brain tissue). College entrants under 25 years of age, in their first year of college, can receive MMR to protect against mumps infection and its complications. Mumps is an acute viral infection that is spread from person to person by

urged to stay out of college
coughing or sneezing and by direct contact with saliva or discharges from the nose and throat of infected people. It is a potentially serious disease for children and young adults and is very common in young children who have not been vaccinated against it. Its symptoms include fever, headache and malaise, and swollen, tender salivary glands. Mumps often gives the appearance of swollen cheeks or jaw. Sufferers are advised not to attend work, school, college, university or child-care during their infectious period Symptoms begin to appear 14 to 25 days (usually 15-18 ) after exposure in about 30-40 per cent of infected people. About 20 per cent of those will have no symptoms. An additional 40 to 50 per cent may have only non-specific or mainly respiratory symptoms. Symptoms tend to decrease after one week and are usually gone after 10 days. School-going children, teenagers, and young adults are the groups most likely to get mumps. However, older people may also contract the disease. It is more common in winter and spring.

Kylemore Abbey.

BY JULIE TIERNEY A decline in vocations is being blamed for the closure of internationally renowned Kylemore Abbey school. Run by the Benedictine Sisters the school, which is one of the most prestigious girls' secondary schools in the country, is to close in August 2010. In a letters to parents, staff, the Department of Education and Science, local primary schools, and representatives of the local community, Mother Abbess Magdalena FitzGibbon explained how the decline in vocations to the order had forced the

decision. "In common with other orders, many of our sisters have reached retirement age and with no new entrants, we no longer have the personnel necessary for the management and trusteeship of the school. We very much regret having to make this decision but having looked at the options, we are left with no alternative." The trustees are this week meeting with staff, parents, and local primary schools to explain plans for a phased closure that would allow current students to complete their secondary education in

the abbey. "We hope that by working together during this difficult period the process of closure will reflect the close relationships we all had during our time at Kylemore. We are anxious that the period between now and the closure should be ordered and well managed and should include a celebration of the history and significance of the school," the letter concluded. Operating as a boarding school since 1922 Kylemore has always catered for overseas

students as well as accepting day students from the local area. Currently there are 137 students enrolled , 49 of whom are boarding students and 34 of whom have come from outside Ireland. A total of 36 are employed in the school, 23 are teaching staff and only one is a member of the Benedictine community. Following the school's closure, the Benedictine Order will remain in residence at the abbey and the world famous Victorian gardens and house will remain open to the public.

Oranmore SOCIETY OF 091 739755 CLAREGALWAY Emperor Inn ST VINCENT DE PAUL Ph 792211 We require good quality useable Clothing, Toys, MOBILE SHOWROOM Household items, Bric-a-Brac, Books and
7 DAY DELIVERY Y
TEL

Chinaman DELIVERY

CHINESE TAKEAWAY

"I went from size 16 to size 12 in just 12 weeks"

Small Items of Furniture you no longer need. We can surely use them all.

3 FOR 2 OFFER

Regrettably the Society is unable to accept items of large furniture, electrical items, beds, soiled or damaged baby equipment or carpets.

Kitchens, wardrobes, flooring, doors, frames, skirting & architrave - supplied/supplied & fitted Registered company call 086 8356078 - 086 8370971 - 091 635813

Eglinton St Pharmacy (beside the GPO. Ph: 569090)
OPEN TIL 7.30PM 7 DAYS A WEEK

interior design with a difference
Goods can be left into

Visit our web site www.lamaisonchic.ie

THE CURIOSITY SHOP
on Merchants Road Tuesday to Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm Tel: 563233/562254
ORDER NOW TEL: 091

792 154

GIFT VOUCHERS
NOW AVAILABLE

HOME CONSULTATION

Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Closed Sundays