Illinois reports first cases of probable swine flu

CHIAGO

Chicago school officials shut down an elementary school today after one child contracted a probable case of swine flu, and the Illinois Health Department said other cases are suspected in the state.

The likely cases are Illinois' first in a swine flu outbreak that has killed more than 150 in Mexico and spread across the U.S. and other parts of the world. The first U.S. swine flu death in the current outbreak was confirmed Wednesday, a 23-month-old child in Texas.

In Chicago, attendance dropped at the Joyce Kilmer Elementary School before the student was found to have a probable case of swine flu, school officials said.

Chicago Department of Health Director Terry Mason said the child is recovering at home.

"Parents should not be alarmed but they should be prepared," he said. "If children are sick, keep them home."

Chicago Public School officials said that for privacy reasons they aren't releasing any information about the student, including how the child may have contracted the illness.

CPS chief executive officer Ron Huberman said state health officials alerted him Tuesday night that a student at the North Side elementary school had a probable case of swine flu. He said the district alerted families through a phone system and closed the school.

"Probable" means state health officials' tests show swine flu is probable. Officials say the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make the final determination on whether Illinois' cases match the swine flu outbreak in Mexico.

Kilmer school's student body is majority Latino, but Mason cautioned against drawing conclusions or stereotyping.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

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