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2 Probable Cases at Washington & Lee Univ.

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  • 2 Probable Cases at Washington & Lee Univ.



    Two students at Washington and Lee University have "probable cases" of swine flu, State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Remley said Friday.

    "Both students had mild illnesses, both are recovering well," Remley said in a Virginia Department of Health news release. Both were "appropriately treated," she said.

    "Neither student had traveled outside the country, but both had visited other states recently. None of the states visited were known to have confirmed cases," of swine flu, Remley said.

    The announcement came after two swine flu cases were confirmed in Virginia on Thursday. State officials identified one patient as a man in the Three Rivers Health District, which covers the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck areas in eastern Virginia. The other is a woman in the Chesterfield Health District, which covers Chesterfield and Powhatan counties and the city of Colonial Heights

    Both suffered minor illnesses after traveling to Mexico and recovered without having to be hospitalized.

    Two students -- freshman female roommates -- at George Washington University in Washington were also reported as "probable cases" of swine flu, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said. Fenty said one of the young women had traveled to an affected area, but did not say where.

    "Given the fact that college and university students tend to travel frequently and are involved in many social activities, cases on a college campus are not unexpected," Remley said. "However, the appearance of two probable cases on the same campus increases the possibility that transmission has occurred locally and prompted me to release this information in an abundance of caution," she said, referring to the W&L cases.

    W&L President Kenneth Ruscio said he was pleased with the university's response, praising the school's "exceptional student health center."

    "We are working very closely with the Department of Health to make sure our students stay healthy so they can continue to focus on their studies," Ruscio said.

    Earlier Friday, Virginia health officials were working with college presidents to make sure that campuses are prepared to deal with cases of swine flu and are taking steps to help prevent spreading of the virus.

    "We want to make sure they understand, as young adults, potential risks they may have and how they can help stop the spread of disease to themselves and their friends," Remley said at a news conference.

    Remley said college administrators should review their plans for dealing with public health emergencies and call attention to the "everyday preventive actions that we've been talking about for the last week."

    "Our plan is to work with the presidents of those colleges and universities to send this information out in whatever way they feel is most appropriate," Remley said.

    Officials also are working with the Department of Education to make sure information gets to parents of school-age children.

    "The messages are still the same," Remley said. "If you're sick, stay home and call your doctor. If your child is sick, stay home and call your doctor."

    The Virginia Department of Health has established an information line at (877) 275-8343 for anyone with concerns or questions about swine flu. The hotline is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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