A deep clean had to be carried out a north-east school after pupils were struck down with a sickness bug sparking fears the infection could spread.
The council’s cleaning teams have been carrying out the operation at Fyvie School after a number of children fell ill with a combination of chickenpox and diarrhoea just before the October break.
It is unclear how many were exposed to the bug but the authority has taken the precaution to remove any residual germs.
Education bosses said they anticipated that the school would be open as normal for the return of pupils next week.
Councillor Alastair Forsyth, Turiff and District, said he was glad the council had taken the proper precuations.
He said: “This is routine and as a matter of policy and I’m sure the school will carry on as normal with a close eye on cleanliness.”
There are currently 149 P1-P7 youngsters attending the school, with 30 nursery pupils also on the rolls.
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A number of schools in the north-east have been forced to close due to public health concerns over the past 12 months.
In March, pupils at Tullos Primary in Aberdeen had to be quarantined because of an outbreak of a gastrointestinal infection.
The school was forced to take action after 36 youngsters fell ill with diarrhoea and vomiting.
This came after three Moray schools were forced to close because of vomiting bugs.
Aberlour, Burghead and Lossiemouth’s Hythehill Primary School all had to be closed within the space of a month due to infections.
The deep clean at Fyvie is expected to continue for the rest of the week and finish up on Friday.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “Fyvie Primary School is being given a deep clean as a precautionary measure following reports of illness at the end of term.”
A spokesman for NHS Grampian said: “We are aware of the cleaning being undertaken at Fyvie Primary School and are working closely with those involved, including Aberdeenshire Council.”
Councillor Gillian Owen, the council’s education chairwoman, said: “A deep clean is underway at Fyvie School due to reports of illness at the end of the last term.
“Thankfully the cleaning is occurring during the school holidays, meaning there is minimal disruption.
“I hope that those who have been ill make a speedy recovery and I wish everyone all the best for the upcoming session.”
