A primary school has been temporarily closed after 150 pupils fell ill with norovirus in a day.
Around 14 staff have also caught the winter vomiting bug at Oxgangs Primary School in Edinburgh, forcing authorities to shut it until next week.
Health officials said the bug has been "circulating in the community" but that it is short-lived and children usually recover quickly.
A deep clean will be carried out at the school and nursery, which is due to reopen on Monday.
Andy Gray, head of schools and community services at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "The wellbeing of everyone at the school is paramount so we've taken the decision to send pupils and staff home on the advice of NHS Lothian's health protection team.
"A deep clean will now take place and the school will reopen on Monday. We realise that closing the school presents difficulties for parents but it is an essential course of action to deal with the outbreak."
Norovirus generally causes mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea but can be more serious among the elderly and people who are already unwell.
It is highly infectious and can still be spread up to two days after the symptoms disappear.
Dr Lorna Willocks, consultant in public health at NHS Lothian, said: "Due to the large number of children affected at Oxgangs Primary we have advised the school to close until Monday, in order to try to shorten the duration of the outbreak.
"Norovirus is highly infectious and can spread very easily. You can still be infectious up to 48 hours after your symptoms go, so although you may feel better you may still be passing on the bug to others during this time. So, it is very important that if you have had sickness and diarrhoea that you stay off school or work for at least 48 hours after your symptoms go away.
"The school will undergo a thorough deep clean and we are advising parents to ensure that all members of the family wash their hands frequently especially before meal times and after using the toilet.
"Oxgangs Primary School, the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian Health Protection Team will continue to monitor the situation."
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