First probable case of Swine Flu in WNY closes one area school

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Chautauqua County health department has confirmed WNY's first probable case of Swine Flu. The actual confirmation must come from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. That information is expected to come Friday afternoon.

An adult and a youth both associated with recent travel to Mexico have tested positive. They are both associated with the Bemus Point schools so all Bemus Points schools, Bemus Point Elementary School, and Maple Junior and Senior High School are being closed as of 2 pm Thursday, and all activities cancelled at least through the weekend.

Officials will decide over the weekend whether to re-open schools on Monday. Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg will provide live reports on all newscasts Thursday night and on wivb.com.

As a precautionary measure, the Bemus Point School system will sanitize all aspects of the school buildings and buses, and anything in which students and staff might have come in direct contact.

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The World Health Organization said that the growing swine flu outbreak is one step away from becoming a full-scale pandemic.

There are now 94 confirmed cases across the U.S., including 48 in New York. In California, an entire military base is under quarantine after a U.S. Marine tested positive for the virus.

Vice President Biden said Thursday morning the administration is not considering closing the border with Mexico where the Government is now advising citizens to stay home.
 
Two of five probable cases of Swine Flu have now been classified in Chautauqua and Cortland Counties, according to Governor David Paterson. These  cases  must still be cleared through the Center for Disease Control.

New York Governor David Paterson said, "Probable cases of H1 N1 virus outside the City of New York for the first time."

A Syracuse area school, Fabius Pompey High School is closed, tied to a suspected case of Swine Flu. "A student who is a resident of Cortland, visited while attending the school, was diagnosed with the H1 N1 virus and that school will be closed for the rest of the week."

The Buffalo School District has issued a letter to parents discussing Swine Flu Protective Measures, including reminders that there are 6,200 hand sanitizers in every school and building, nurses in all schools, and 16 school-based health centers.

The letter lists hygiene reminders: Wash hands often, stay home if sick, and clean all shared space, including phones and keyboards.

It also urges parents to watch for symptoms, including fever, sore throat, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

On a world-wide bases: "All Countries should immediately now activate their pandemic preparedness plans," said World Health Org. Director-General Margaret Chan.

The World Health Organization raised its threat level Wednesday to a level five, as the virus pushed deeper into Europe and spread from coast to coast in the U.S.

"Every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations," said President Obama.

The Federal Government is urging schools with confirmed or suspected cases to temporarily shut down.   More than a hundred schools nation-wide have done that.