China has quarantined more than fifty UK schoolchildren and teachers after four British teens tested positive for swine flu in the country.

The four pupils in their mid-teens are being treated at a Bejing Hospital, along with four American children, who have also contracted the H1N1 virus.

A further 52 children and teachers from UK are now being quarantined at their hotel by the Chinese authorities for potentially coming into contact with them.

A similar number of Americans, who are part of the same trip have also been quarantined.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed the diagnosis and quarantine of the British citizens and warned travellers to the China that the country could introduce and change their ‘containment measures’ with little or no notice.

An FCO spokesman said: “The British Embassy in Beijing and the FCO are trying to establish contact with the organisers of the school groups visiting Beijing and their schools in the UK to ensure that full information is available to all those involved.”

The students were part of a 1,000-strong group of visitors to China from across the world learning about the country’s language and culture.

More than 500 Britons were understood to be on the trip organised by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the British Council and Chinese organisation Hanban.

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust arranged for 278 children and 49 teachers from all over the UK to travel to China.

The group flew out on July 13-14 and was due to return to the UK on July 27-28.

A spokeperson for the SSAT said those who being quarantined were thought have been in close contact with the four in hospital:

He added: “It’s a terrible shame for those students.What we are doing is making sure that the students who are able to, even if they are quarantined, are able to take part in their own cultural activities - for example by doing artwork - as much as possible.

“We are working with Hanban and the health authorities to make sure procedures are being followed.

“The students have also got direct lines into their rooms so they can contact their families.

“Every effort is being made to make sure they do not feel completely isolated but it’s obviously very daunting for those students.”

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