Swine-flu outbreak in Cleveland suburb

The Plain Dealer/Ohio News Organization

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — A swine-flu outbreak has been confirmed in Shaker Heights schools, after tests showed two additional middle school students have the virus.

In all, three cases of H1N1 swine flu have been confirmed at the middle school.

The district said four new suspected cases at other schools also have been sent to the Ohio Department of Health for testing.

Officials had warned of an outbreak last week, after a middle school boy was confirmed with swine flu and several other sick children were suspected of having the H1N1 strain.

Besides the middle school, suspected cases have cropped up at the high school and Woodbury and Fernway elementary schools.

The swine-lu strain has caused mostly mild to moderate illnesses in Ohio, which has 44 confirmed cases since the virus was first detected in the United States in April.

Shaker schools break for summer recess Thursday, but chances are the virus will continue to spread.

“Not having kids in school eliminates a possible incubator for infection,” said Dr. Scott Frank, Shaker Heights health director. “But it would be wrong to become complacent.”

Frank said anybody with flu symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough and aches) should avoid public contact for seven days.