The most recent information from Public Health – Seattle and King County reports seven more people are suspected to have the swine flue in the county.

The health agency stated in a press release 10 probable cases are in the county. Laboratory samples have been sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC.

According to the release the “flu strain (is) apparently no more severe than in a typical flu season.”

The release went on to state, “The five new probable (swine flu) H1N1 flu cases in King County include two children under 5 years of age; two children between 5-12 years, and a 22-year-old woman. In addition, two elementary school-aged children that are linked to a probable case were classified as suspect cases.

” Human cases of swine influenza virus infection also have been identified nationally and internationally.

Out of an abundance of caution, Public Health has worked jointly with Seattle Public Schools and Federal Way Schools to decide the best course of action is to close the schools involved for seven days. The schools include Madrona K-8, which was closed today and will open again on May 7. Seattle’s Aki Kurose Middle School and Stevens Elementary in Seattle and Woodmont Elementary in Federal Way will close tomorrow, and these schools are scheduled to re-open on May 8.

The Tahoma School District sent a letter home with students noting the district will likely close if swine flu cases are discovered in the schools.

” If we have confirmed swine flu cases among students or staff in our schools it is possible that a school or schools would close for a few days at a time to reduce exposure to the virus. That decision would be made after consulting with public health officials.

“We feel that the best advice for now is to be vigilant but not to panic. Please talk to your children about the importance of hygiene as we all work together to reduce the likelihood of catching this virus. Our school custodians will be cleaning certain areas more frequently and we are looking at other steps that can be taken to provide additional safeguards.”

Valley Medical Center is in the process of setting up “cough kiosks” according to spokesperson Kim Blakeley.

According to a release from Blakeley, “These kiosks will contain public information about the swine flu, and how to guard against contracting or spreading the virus, as well as masks, hand sanitizer, and tissues.”

Blakeley also wrote, “On our Web site, www.valleymed.org, there is a link to information from our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kathryn Beattie, titled: Swine Flu: What You Need To Know. It covers topics such as what is swine flu? How does it spread? When should you seek medical care? It also lists symptoms specific to adults and children, as well as links for more information.

Also at the top of The Reporter home page is a link to swine flu information.