15-year-old girl may be the vomiting bug's first victim

The winter bug responsible for closing many of Britain's schools, may have claimed its first victim. Teenager Jodie Mettrick from Wokingham, Berkshire took ill with the winter bug and within days of being kept off school was dead.

Although the hospital has yet to issue the findings of a post mortem, Jodie suffered sickness and chest pains, both symptoms of the current bug sweeping the nation. Teachers and other health workers are being warned to watch out for children displaying symptoms of the norovirus, often called the winter vomiting bug. Symptoms include aches and pains, high temperatures and nausea.

Dr Muhammad Abid, from the Health Protection Agency, said: 'At this stage the cause of death is not known but further tests are being carried out to establish the diagnosis."

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