The Barbados Union of Teachers has urged authorities not to dismiss ongoing health concerns at Hillaby Turner’s Hall Primary School, warning that reports of illness among students and staff warrant sustained scrutiny despite official assurances that there is no scarlet fever outbreak.

The experiences of parents, students and staff deserved continued attention, said vice-president and chairman of the BUT occupational safety and health committee, Julian Pierre, even as authorities maintain there is no need to close the school.

“The concerns raised by parents and staff over recent weeks should not be dismissed simply because the current findings do not point to an outbreak,” Pierre told Barbados TODAY. “The experiences of those directly affected warrant careful consideration and ongoing investigation to ensure that no contributing environmental or public health factors are overlooked.”