Apr 29, 2009 6:10 pm US/Central
Officials: Swine Flu Found In Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE (AP) ―
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An H1N1 strain of the swine flu virus, viewed through a microscope.
AP
Two probable swine flu cases have been found in Milwaukee, and four of the city's public schools have been ordered closed. A third probable case is reported in Adams County in central Wisconsin, officials said.
There's been no immediate confirmation from the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta of swine flu in Wisconsin.
"Local and state public health officials are investigating the circumstances of all three of these cases," State Health Officer Seth Foldy said at a news conference late Wednesday. "This should not be a surprise at this point. We've been anticipating and planning for something like this."
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker said the two probable cases involved one adult and one child. Officials said the adult and child are not related, but couldn't say whether the two had any contact with each other.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he didn't want to alarm residents, but he decided to go ahead and release limited details in the interest of public safety since a number of children had symptoms consistent with swine flu and were linked to the probable cases.
"Because I'm concerned about children being exposed to this, because we think there is a relationship between the children who has shown symptoms at these four schools, the prudent action is at least through the weekend, we've decided, the commissioner has decided, is these schools should be closed," Barrett said.
Foldy urged anyone feeling ill to stay home.
"Sick people should not be going to work or school. This includes people with respirtory problems," Foldy said.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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