An estimated 1,600 people in Sussex could die from swine flu over the next few months, according to health bosses.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson has warned health services to be prepared for as many as 65,000 deaths across the UK as the virus spreads.

However he said this was a predicted worst case scenario and the vast majority of flu sufferers are showing mild symptoms.

Public health chiefs say using antiviral medication like Tamiflu and the planned introduction of a vaccine later this summer is expected to reduce the impact.

The revelation comes as Ringmer Community College near Lewes ended term three days early yesterday after several students and staff fell ill.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Kathryn Stonier said: “As you know we have now had a number of confirmed cases of swine flu among students and families.

“A large number of staff and students are also absent with normal flu symptoms or have been advised by GPs to take extra precautions because of underlying health problems.

“The governing body, on balance, decided that we should take this measure in order to reduce the risk of transmission and on further grounds of health and safety due to a significant number of teaching and support staff being absent.

“We are only closing because we are very nearly at the end of term and we feel that education will not be severely affected.”

Ms Stonier said the school and sixth form would be open for business as normal in September and only students and staff who are confirmed cases will be allowed to stay off.

Other recent cases to emerge include four students at Christ's Hospital School near Horsham and five pupils and a teacher at the Sacred Heart Primary School in Hastings.

Health bosses are urging people not to visit hospital A&E departments or GP surgeries if they are showing signs of flu.

Brighton and Hove director of public health Tom Scanlon said: “If you think you have flu please stay at home.

“If you experience a sudden fever, cough or shortness of breath or have a headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite you may have swine flu.

"For most people this is a mild illness and you should start to feel better after a few days without needing to go to your GP or A&E.

"Help yourself and others by not spreading the virus.

"The best thing you can do is stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter flu remedies to help relieve the symptoms.

"It is important that you talk to your doctor if you think you have swine flu and are pregnant, over 65, or have long-term conditions such as asthma or diabetes, or if you think a very young child has swine flu."

A national phone and internet service will start from the end of next week which will allow people to get Tamiflu without seeing their GP.

For regular swine flu updates, don’t miss the dedicated section on our website.

Go to theargus.co.uk/news/swine_flu for regular updates on schools that have been affected plus the latest stories as they come in alongside previous swine flu articles.

There is also a map of Sussex showing where the outbreaks are happening.

The site has links to several websites including the Health Protection Agency, the county’s Primary Care Trusts and the World Health Organisation.

Helpline numbers, an NHS symptoms checker and information for businesses on how to prepare for swine flu are also available.