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Swine Flu Closes Three New York City Schools

U.S. records fourth death, 4,900 cases

May 15, 2009

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Three schools in New York City have closed for at least five days because of an outbreak of Swine Flu. An assistant principal at one of the schools is said to be critically ill.

The three schools will be closed beginning today, Friday, May 15th, and will remain closed for at least five school days.

Meanwhile, the nation recorded its fourth death from Swine Flu Thursday when a woman in Maricopa County, Arizona died. Health officials said she had already been suffering from a lung ailment.

At least 4,928 cases have been confirmed in 47 states. Worldwide, 34 countries have officially reported 7,520 cases.

Mexico has reported 2,446 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 60 deaths. Canada has reported 449 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

"We have been carefully monitoring the H1N1 virus, and we're taking this action today because there are unusually high levels of flu-like illnesses at three public schools," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "As we have said from the outset of the appearance of H1N1 in our City last month, we will share with New Yorkers what we know and not speculate on what we don't know."

The three schools are:

I.S. 238Q (the Susan B. Anthony School) in Jamaica: H1N1 has been documented in four students at I.S. 238Q as well as in a staff member who is critically ill, but more than 50 students have been sent home with flu-like symptoms since May 6th.

P.S. 16Q in Corona: 29 students from P.S. 16Q were documented with influenza-like symptoms in the nurse's room Thursday.

I.S. 5Q (the Walter Crowley Intermediate School) in Elmhurst: 241 students were reported absent from I.S. 5Q Thursday.

The Health Department said it has seen a general increase in flu activity in Queens. While the symptoms of H1N1 (SO) flu seem to resemble those of seasonal flu, the H1N1 virus appears to spread more extensively, at least in schools, warranting closures to slow transmission in the community.

Symptoms of H1N1 (SO) include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting as well.

The best way to prevent additional cases of flu in school is to ensure that people wash their hands frequently and cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing. For those who are ill, the recommendation is to stay home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

Find out everything you need to know about swine flu.

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