Possible swine flu case detected in RI

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - Governor Donald Carcieri confirmed Wednesday a student from North Kingstown High School is being monitored and tested for a possible case of swine flu.

In an abundance in caution, North Kingstown school officials have suspended classes, including all sports and after-school activities, until the state receives the test results from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

If the case is confirmed, Carcieri said the school will follow CDC protocol and close the school for seven calendar days.

The Health Dept. has tested a little more than a dozen samples Tuesday, and this sample is the only one that didn't come back as regular flu.

"This is not a confirmed case of swine flu. This is one we're suspicious of," said Dr. David Gifford from the RI Health Department.

Carcieri said the student visited Mexico during school vacation week, which was April 10 to April 17, and upon return the student experienced flu-like symptoms. The student's doctor prompted the test after news broke over the weekend about the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico.

The student did go back to school after having the flu symptom, though officials could not say how many days the student attended class. However, at this time, no family members or classmates have symptoms or feel ill, Gifford said. Officials are closing the schools to minimize any spread of the illness.

Gifford said health officials are not concerned with other schools in North Kingstown or Rhode Island as a whole.

"It's only a matter of time before we get a confirmed case in Rhode Island," Gifford said.

He urged people to cover their sneezes with their elbow, wash their hands frequently, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and stay home from school or work when sick.