A PUBLIC health consultant has rejected claims that a viral epidemic may spread to Malvern's residents from children at boarding schools here.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a potentially lethal flu-like virus currently affecting people in the Far East and Asia.

A visitor to Malvern has expressed fears they could be at risk of catching the disease from students returning from affected areas after their Easter break. In a letter to the Malvern Gazette a visitor from Sheffield, Mrs C. Pettifer, called for public schools to be closed until the epidemic is contained.

Approximately 50 pupils at Malvern College come from areas affected by SARS, and four pupils at St James's.

David Kirrage, consultant in communicable diseases for the Worcestershire Health Authority said the chances anyone in Worcestershire would catch the SARS virus were very small, and no cases had been reported in the county.

"Any children returning to school from the Far East who are well and remain well pose no risk to staff, other pupils, or local residents," he said.

Dr Kirrage added there was no reason at all why boarding schools should close.

He said the health of pupils from the Far East and Asia should be carefully monitored, so that any symptoms could be dealt with swiftly.

Headteachers and medical staff from schools including Malvern College, St James's School and Malvern Girls College have met with Dr Kirrage and issued a joint statement saying they will carefully observe the health of pupils from countries with high levels of SARS infection.

The heads have suggested to parents that pupils from affected areas return to the UK ten days early to guarantee a safe quarantine period before the start of term.

To date six cases of SARS have been reported in the UK and 3,235 worldwide. The virus is believed to have caused the deaths of 154 people.