Superintendent update on H1N1 flu virus
H1N1 Influenza Update: Testing by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the illness of a Minnesota resident was caused by the H1N1 novel influenza virus. A lab specimen was submitted to CDC for testing after preliminary tests by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) identified the patient's illness as a "probable" infection with the new influenza strain.

Additional testing by CDC was needed to determine if the patient had the unusual new strain of influenza.

The person who became ill with the unusual virus has ties to Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring. Both the Middle School and St. Boniface Elementary which shares some facilities with the Middle School have been closed since the illness was identified by MDH as probable H1N1 flu on Tuesday night.

According to information currently available on the CDC website, 91 Laboratory confirmed cases of the illness have occurred to date in the United States, in addition to the case just confirmed in Minnesota.