Swine Flu Case At Notre Dame, Chicago Flooded With Reports

CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois still has no confirmed cases of swine flu, but Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Terry Mason predicted on Tuesday that may not be the case for much longer.

"We expect that to change given what we've seen elsewhere, including information of a case of swine flu in northern Indiana," Mason said. Indiana officials announced Tuesday their first confirmed case was a student at the University of Notre Dame.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has tested several suspect cases but none turned out to be swine flu.

Nationwide, more than 60 confirmed cases have been reported across five states, but more illnesses that may be linked to the virus were being reported. Swine flu is suspected to have killed more than 150 people in Mexico and sickened others.

There were no probable cases in Illinois as of Tuesday, said IDPH spokeswoman Melaney Arnold. Officials will send any cases they think are probable incidents of swine flu to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.

Despite the threat of the sometimes fatal virus, officials do not plan to cancel any large-scale events, like Friday's immigration reform rally in Chicago or school assemblies.

There has been an "outbreak of awareness" about the flu and how to prevent its spread with such basic measures as hand washing and covering sneezes and coughs, Mason said.

"Now, right now, is the time for all Chicagoans to think prevention and think preparedness," Mason said.

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The city of Chicago is trying to get word out about the flu.

"People shouldn't be scared. People should be prepared and people should be educated," said Ray Orozco, executive director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman said the district sent a letter to parents about the flu. The school system is on the look out for any pattern of illnesses that could suggest an outbreak and an internal hot line has been set up so school principals can report suspicious cases for referral to health officials. School events are going on as planned.

Organizers gearing up for Chicago's May 1 immigrant rights march had few concerns Tuesday related to swine flu and the Friday event that will begin in a West Side park and end in a downtown plaza.

"We don't believe that anything will happen," said rally organizer Jorge Mujica.

Chicago traditionally has had the largest turnout among marches nationwide, but attendance has dropped drastically since more than 400,000 people took to the streets in 2006.

Last year about 15,000 marched through the city's downtown streets and organizers expect a similar crowd this year.

Immigrant rights advocates and rally organizers said if a local outbreak of cases occurred before Friday's march, they might re-evaluate plans.

"If we hear evidence of swine flu, then we have to look at the march and decide whether it makes sense to continue on," said Tim Bell, executive director of the Chicago Workers Collaborative. "At this point, we don't see that kind of a health threat."

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Associated Press Writers Lindsey Tanner and Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comments

[Ginger5]

The toddler was from mexico and traveled to brownsville, texas to seek medical attention and was then sent to houston where the toddler unfortunately died. We do not know where in Mexico the child resided. There have been scant reports of swine flu along the texas - mexican border. The Hospitals here are fairly empty.

[Gladys1963]

Hey, Michelle Bachman--Indiana has a confirmed case of swine flu, and President Obama's going to give the commencement address at Notre Dame. Coincidence?

[HeevenSteven]

This whole thing was caused by putting lipstick on pigs.

[Halfwit]

I think it is inappropriate to use a picture of pigs for this story.
It is also inappropriate to even call it swine flu.