Seattle Lutheran closes with suspected case of swine flu

Seattle Lutheran High School closed at noon today as a precaution against the H1N1 virus, now commonly known as swine flu.

One of the school's students reported having come in contact with a student from outside the school who has been confirmed to have swine flu. However, no students from Seattle Lutheran High School are known to have the virus at this time.

All students are currently dismissed from school as a precaution. Seattle Lutheran High School is scheduled to open again on June 1.

Parents can contact Seattle Lutheran High School if they have any concerns at (206) 937-7722.

As of today, the King County Health Department reports that there are 414 confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza A.

H1N1 influenza is a virus that can spread from people who are infected to others through coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread germs through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch. H1N1 virus is not transmitted from pigs to humans or from eating pork products.

Confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus have been reported in multiple states. Internationally, there are reported outbreaks in Mexico, Canada and other countries around the world. Although most cases of the H1N1 human swine flu infection have been mild, health officials are closely monitoring and responding aggressively to the outbreaks in an ongoing effort to reduce the spread and severity of illness.