It was just a week ago when reports of a new strain of influenza called swine flu started trickling in. Now there are at least 433 schools closed in the United States because of the H1N1 swine flu virus. MSNBC reports that the government has issued new guidelines for schools recommending that they close for at least 14 days if they have a confirmed case. The government says children can remain contagious for as long as 10 days.
The government issued new guidance for schools with confirmed cases, saying they should close for at least 14 days because children can be contagious for seven to 10 days from when they get sick. That means parents can expect to have children at home for longer than previously thought.
The Education Department said that 433 schools had closed, affecting 245,000 children in 17 states. That was about 100 more schools reported closed than reported on Thursday.
Major U.S. airlines, meanwhile, announced plans to curtail flights into flu-ravaged Mexico.
There have been some reports that this novel strain of flu may be milder and less deadly than originally feared. That would certainly be a relief if it turns out to be the case. WHO and CDC officials are still treating the flu with extreme caution. Experts warn that influenza is unpredictable and a week or two from now the picture could look much different than today.
You can find links to swine flu resources - including all state health departments - here on healthnewsblog.com.
