Day care provider tested for swine flu

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Department of Health confirmed Thursday two more probable cases of swine flu have been detected in the state. Samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta for further testing.

During an afternoon news conference, Dr. David Gifford from the RI Department of Health said one of the potential cases is in Smithfield and the other is in Westerly.

"We know that this swine flu is everywhere in the country. It is spreading as we know influenza spreads," Gifford said.

The patients are adults between 25- and 45-years-old, and one of them is a home day care provider with three children.

Gifford said all of the parents of the children in that person's care have been notified and the department has recommended anti-virals for two of the three children. However, he said the children have not become ill.

Gifford described the potential cases as mild and said he expects the test results back from the CDC in 24 to 48 hours.

"This just emphasizes the need for people to take appropriate precautions of washing their hands, coughing into their elbow, using alcohol hand gels, and staying home when they're sick," Gifford said.

These additional cases bring the total possible cases of the disease to three for the state. Governor Donald Carcieri and health officials confirmed Wednesday, a student from North Kingstown High School was the first possible case.

As a result of the North Kingstown case, school officials closed down the high school for the remainder of the week until test results come back from the CDC.

None of the cases are confirmed definitively as swine flu at this time.

Gifford urged anyone with questions about swine flu to contact the Health Department's special hotline at 401-222-8022.