May 5, 2009 2:13 pm US/Eastern
Sixth School Closes In Maryland
Reporting
Adam May
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) ―
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The swine flu virus is indeed here in Maryland. The state confirmed that four people suspected to have it are, in fact, sick.
Thomas Lohnes/AFP/Getty Images
The swine flu virus is indeed here in Maryland. The state confirms that four people suspected to have the virus are, in fact, sick with H1N1. Meanwhile, the state gets new specimens for testing.
Adam May reports the confirmed cases involve two children and two adults.
As more specimens from people concerned they may have the virus arrive at the state health department for testing, two more cases are put on the probable list. Eleven people are on that list, with two more people determined to have an unknown flu.
At least 32 other people are ill with tests pending, but no cases appear life threatening.
"Of course we have hospitalizations every year from seasonable influenza and deaths every year from seasonable influenza. Fortunately, we have not seen that at this point," said Dr. David Blythe, state epidemiologist.
Having a confirmed case in the neighborhood is not changing the attitude toward this virus.
"If the individuals don't have enough common sense to learn to wash their hands and stop the spread, then you know, can you get the message out?" said Dorothy Johnson.
"I think we should be a balance of the two. Be cautious. After you're cautious, also, don't panic," said Peter Ray.
Each of the four confirmed cases has a travel link to an affected country, either through their own trip or a trip by a family member, but there's evidence the virus is spreading person to person.
The approach about level of concern varies among health officials and parents.
"I have a four-year-old and an 18-month-old and I've been afraid to take them out," said Wendy Gaver.
Among the state's first four confirmed cases of the swine flu is a student at Milford Mill Academy. The school is one of the six in Maryland that is shut down. It doesn't plan to reopen until this Thursday.
But Milford Mill classmates and parents demand more details.
"She might have been in contact with her friends, and we need to know if they're contagious or not," said Brittany Riggina, student.
"I don't understand why the school was left open. It shouldn't have been left open," said Mark Carter, Milford Mill Academy parent.
Based on CDC recommendations, the state closed Folger McKinsey Elementary in Anne Arundel County, Milford Mill Academy, Rockville High in Montgomery County and Montpelier, Vansville and University Park elementary schools in Prince George's County.
There's word that Folger McKinsey Elementary in Anne Arundel County will be open Wednesday.
Vansville, the latest school to close, will be closed for up to 14 days after a student was diagnosed as "probable" for the swine flu virus.
The number of cases at Folger McKinsey grew from one to two. On Friday, the superintendent said if that happened, more school days could be at stake.
"If there were a second probable case in that intervening five days, we would discuss extending that five days closure to the 14," said Kevin Maxwell, Anne Arundel County superintendent.
The D.C. Department of Health and the Archdiocese of Washington say an elementary school is closing until next week after a staff member was identified as a probable case of swine flu.
D.C. health officials say Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene officials determined the staffer at Our Lady of Victory has a probable case of the illness.
D.C. health officials say the staffer was last at school with symptoms of the flu on Friday. Our Lady of Victory decided to close for the remainder of the week and will reopen on Monday. Health officials say there are currently no other reports of illness at the school.
Even though schools are closed, some parents worry about activities within the community where kids could be infecting each other.
"Athletics, community activities like church are continuing to go on, and there's no official quarantine," said Matt Myers, Folger McKinsey parent.
Health leaders say that's up to individuals to step up and take action.
"The extreme we want to avoid would be children congregating in mass at shopping malls because that would undermine the purpose of this action," said Dr. Edward Van Oeveren.
The strain that is spreading across the globe, with the most victims and deaths in Mexico, is not killing the Marylanders who catch it.
Hotlines across the state are answering questions. The state says preparing for an outbreak has been a top priority.
The state has opened a swine flu information line. The number is
1-877-633-5848 or 1-877-MDFLU4U. The service will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will also accept questions about swine flu by e-mail at
swineflu@dhmh.state.md.us.
Click here for more information about the swine flu from the state.
If you live in Baltimore County, you can call
410-887-2243 for more information.
The Anne Arundel County Health Department has set up an information hotline at 410-222-7343.
The hotline number for Montgomery County is 240-777-4200. The county has also activated its emergency operations center.
Stay with WJZ.COM for updates to this developing story.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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