Suspected Swine Flu Cases In Orlando, South Florida

MIAMI Published: Thursday, April 30, 2009 by The Ledger.Com

At least 20 suspected swine flu cases have been identified in South Florida, but officials stress that more testing is needed for any confirmation.

Miami-Dade County health officials announced Wednesday that 20 samples were sent to a state lab for testing. Cases in Broward County were also sent to the lab, but health officials would not give a number of cases.

The case of an Orlando tourist who recently visited a Disney theme park is also being tested. There are no confirmed cases in Florida.

Meanwhile, in Mauldin, S.C., a high school has closed after students returned from a band trip to Disney World with flu-like symptoms.
Greenville County School District spokesman Oby Lyles says officials decided to close Mauldin High School on Thursday as a precaution after 18 of 70 students returning from the trip reported illnesses.

Lyles says the district is waiting for test results from state health officials.
A Department of Health and Environmental Control spokesman said he could not immediately comment on the school closing.

DHEC has identified 17 "probable" cases of swine flu, all linked to students at a private school in Newberry who had been in Mexico in early April. The school has been closed this week.
DHEC is investigating dozens of "suspected" cases of swine flu.

The World Health Organization has issued a Phase 5 alert suggesting a worldwide pandemic could be imminent.