3 cases of swine flu at Riverside High

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Three students at one Buffalo high school have confirmed cases of the Swine Flu, and there could be many more.

Riverside High School was closed Friday and will remain closed Monday.

Crews are thoroughly sanitizing both campuses after 19 students were sent home with flu-like symptoms.

Erie County health officials tested three students and confirm all three have Swine Flu.

Erie County Health Commissioner Doctor Anthony Billittier said, "We strategically selected some of the children from this group to get a sampling, and we can probably assume that the rest of them or at least the vast majority of the rest of the children in the school have the same illness, probably have the same illness."

Most of the sick students are ninth and tenth graders who attend Riverside's School 51 on Hertel Avenue.

Eleventh and twelfth graders attend Riverside's Ontario Street campus.

Both campuses will re-open on Tuesday.

Buffalo Public School officials are reminding parents from all schools to keep their kids home if they're sick.

BPS Health Related Services Director Assunta Ventresca said, "I'm asking them, imploring parents to please work with us, have your children stay home if they're not well. If they have a fever, a sore throat or a cough, please stay home."

The district is serious. Students who show up to school sick will be sent home immediately. Younger students' parents will be asked to pick them up. High school students will be sent home by bus.

Buffalo Public School parent Marcus Austin said, "Until they can figure out what's going on, I think it's a great idea."

Healthy students have access to hand sanitizers in all schools.

School officials remind them to practice proper hygiene.

Ventresca said, "It's not just our school, it's a community issue. So if they're sick, please don't send them to school and then we won't have to worry about closing schools or spreading the infection."

School leaders say a student should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before they'll be admitted back to school.

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Buffalo Public School officials have confirmed three cases of the swine flu at Riverside High School. Nineteen students were sent home Wednesday and Thursday with flu like symptoms.

Erie County Health officials tested three students for the N1H1 virus. Although only three students were tested for the virus it is likely that 19 students have the swine flu.

Buffalo School leaders announced on Thursday that both campuses for the high school would remain closed until Monday, June 8th and will re-open Tuesday, June 9th.