Students at four schools in Martin County have tested positive for swine flu, health officials said confirmed today.

One student from each of the schools has the H1N1 virus.

“We’re just continuing to encourage residents to practice good hygiene,” said Renay Rouse, a spokeswoman for the Martin County Health Department.

The schools with confirmed cases include: Port Salerno Elementary, Murray Middle School and Pinewood Elementary, all in Stuart, and Hidden Oaks Middle School in Palm City.

The cases are not linked, she said.
School, which closes Friday, remained open today. School officials, in handling the flu, are following guidelines from the health department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials are treating swine flu as they do the regional flu, Rouse said, because it is now considered a mild strain. They plan to make announcements only if an outbreak occurs, not for individual cases, she said.

“We do expect that cases will crop up,” she said.

They ask that people wash their hands often, check with their doctor if they develop flu-like symptoms and stay home for seven days if sick.

That period should be honored even if the person begins to feel better, she said.

Tags: Martin County, Schools, swine flu

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