Confirmed case of H1N1 flu virus in McHenry East High School student

One student from McHenry East High School in McHenry has contracted the H1N1 virus, and three students from Westmont High School in DuPage County have symptoms that could be attributed to the viral outbreak, school officials said Thursday.

Both districts made the announcements on their Internet Web sites, and both sent information home to parents describing the situation. Neither would release the grade level nor the gender of the students involved.

Westmont High School Principal Steven Baule said two of the three students showing H1N1 symptoms tested positive for Type A influenza, though tests are still being done to determine if the strain could be H1N1. He could not say whether the third student has been tested, he said.

However, Baule said, all three students have shown symptoms associated with H1N1 and, therefore, they are at home until cleared to return to school.

"It's not uncommon to have the flu go around at this time of the year," he said. "We are working with the health department and following their regulations, checking students who either show symptoms, or return to school after being sick."

Health officials recommend anyone with the flu should stay home and out of the public until at least 24 hours after the fever subsides.

Leslie Piotrowski, spokeswoman for the Lake County Health Department, said the H1N1 vaccine is expected to be rolled out in Illinois in October.

Health officials throughout the state have been working with dozens of schools, doctors' offices, hospitals and clinics to provide the anticipated two-shot immunization later this year.

The immunization - still undergoing clinical trials - could soften the blow of the flu virus that could infect 40 percent of Americans, hospitalize up to 2 million and kill as many as 90,000, a federal panel recently warned.

Target groups for the H1N1 shots include those 6 months to 24 years old, health care and emergency medical services employees, and anyone 24 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said frequent hand washing and staying home if you are sick and sneezing are among the common-sense, flu-prevention tips.

Besides making immunizations available, officials said they are devising plans to educate the public about the virus and how to avoid it, tracking its spread through the county and coordinating a medical response.