After more than 500 students fell sick due to seasonal flu-like illness and two confirmed H1N1 cases, Clarence High School in Bengaluru was closed from August 14 to 18. They have shifted their classes from offline to online.

In a letter addressed to civic authorities, Commodore Prem Reuben, Administrator, Clarence High School, stated, “There is a growing health crisis at Clarence High School, Richards Town, Bengaluru, that demands immediate intervention. Over the past several weeks, our school has witnessed a severe outbreak of seasonal flu-like illnesses.

“More than 500 students (20% of our 2,500-strong student body) and 21 staff members are absent due to fever, cold, cough, and body ache. We have at least two confirmed cases of H1N1, and one staff member is currently undergoing treatment in Bangalore Baptist Hospital.”

Initially, the school authorities had closed school on August 12 as a precautionary measure. The letter stated that, later, they decided to keep the school closed from August 14 to 18.

What school authorities say

A representative of Clarence High School administration told The Hindu, “As a precautionary measure, we have closed Montessori school while students of classes for 1 to 5 are going to school from today (August 18). Students are getting better. Hence, offline classes are being conducted. However, for students from class 6 to 10, classes are being held online. It is a case of common cold due to changes in the weather. Most students across various schools have the same problem now.”

School blames street vendors, GBA says no link

Mr. Reuben, in his letter, has blamed street vendors around the school for the breakout of flu-like symptoms among students. He also cited the condition of the surroundings of the school. “The area around the school is inevitably left dirty and unhygienic, contributing to the spread of illness and disease,” he wrote.

However, Dr. Siddapaji Gowda, Health Officer, GBA, Bengaluru North, denied the allegations. He said, “There is no link between street vendors selling food and hundreds of children falling sick in Clarence School.

“It is not an outbreak, but a common cold that is contagious, airborne and spreads from one person to another. It is not because of the food outside. Probably, it was not detected earlier in the school. The disease has spread among students. Only two students are detected with H1N1, a strain or influenza subtype.”

Dr. Gowda said that, as part of the Safe Footpath campaign, they will remove street vendors from the footpath, and ensure junk food is not sold within 50 metres radius of the school.

Published - August 18, 2026 01:34 pm IST