DHEC: At least two 'probable' cases of swine flu at Newberry school

Tools

NEWBERRY, S.C. (WIS) - Officials at the Department of Health and Environmental Control say they have confirmed two "probable" cases of swine flu in Newberry and another two cases still uncertain.

DHEC released a statement to make the announcement:

"Of the viruses sampled, two were type A, unsubtypable. That means, because this is a novel virus, we will assume that these two cases that were tested at the lab do have the new swine flu virus and these will now be considered ‘probable cases,' so they are being sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further evaluation and testing," said Jerry Gibson, M.D., chief of DHEC's Bureau of Disease Control.

"We can go on the working assumption that we've got two cases of the novel, so-called swine flu virus," said Dr. Gibson in a press conference.

Newberry Academy Headmaster Robert Dawkins says DHEC is visiting the home of the girl who tested probable to get more information. He adds that parents of students at the school are being asked to get Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, for their kids.

The school is expected to be sanitized on Tuesday to avoid further spreading of the virus.

The story began when thirteen Newberry Academy students and three adults went on a trip to Cancun, Mexico and returned with flu-like symptoms last Monday.

The virus has killed more than 100 people in Mexico and infected dozens in the U.S.

Newberry Academy has been closed since Monday as a precaution.

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of NBC Augusta 26 | news, weather, sports, community, entertainment, shopping for Augusta, Georgia. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Wednesday, Apr 29 at 12:59 PM Go back to using bleach wrote ...

in the schools. I know it has been stopped. Bleach is the only way to kill this flu. Start now, also stop the blaming. It has happened now lets all fix it. We have falt polio and other illnesses. Clean and wash hands and if you have to wear a mask. Don't panick. HELP. We can fight this. Together.

20572042
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Tuesday, Apr 28 at 4:50 PM concern wrote ...

WE KNOW THIS SWINE FLU IS COMING FROM SO WHY ALLOW PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL THERE TO RETURN HERE? THE SWINE FLU WILL SPREAD LIKE IT IS NOW, SO WHY ADD MORE FUEL TO THE FIRE? IT IS SENSELESS

20362103
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Tuesday, Apr 28 at 4:37 PM jsc wrote ...

Seriously, why don't we just go ahead and shut schools down nationwide for sanitation or just close early for summer break. Almost any teacher will tell you the last 2 weeks of school are pretty much useless anyways cause the kids are already anticipating vacation and its mostly admin work.

20361317
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

WAGT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. Comments are posted on site immediately and without station moderation. If you feel a comment is inappropriate you may flag it for review. For guidelines on flagging comments see our Terms & Conditions. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

More Good Stuff

Advertisement

WAGT Weather

Click here for 7 Day Forecast
Icon
Current Temp 50.0 °F
Light Rain Fog/Mist
More Weather

WAGT Weather

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

NBC Augusta 26 RSS FeedsNBC Augusta 26 Twitter Feed NBC Augusta 26 Facebook Page NBC Full Shows Online

Viewer Poll

What do you think about Tiger's return to golf for the Masters Tournament?

  • Too soon, he should focus on his family
  • He's apologized, it's time for him to return to the game