While no cases have been reported here, superintendents in Breckenridge and Wahpeton districts said they'll follow recommendations by their respective states, which are responsible for notifying local authorities of any danger and typically asks schools to shutdown.
"In the meantime, all we can do is emphasize basic disease prevention," said Wahpeton Superintendent Mike Connell. In the event of long term closure, he said teachers would attempt some form of online education courses.
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Many families in the Breckenridge district have traveled to Mexico throughout the school year. High School Principal Dan Bettin said he's forwarded information regarding students absent with the flu for a possible screening.
"I think it's a concern that we've had one confirmed [in Minnesota]," he said. "I hope that people take it seriously."
On Thursday, a student attending Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring, Minn., was determined to have the H1N1 virus after causing two schools to shutdown in precaution. At a press conference that morning, Rocori Superintendent Scott Staska said concern over the virus is limited to the middle school. It was the only confirmed case out of more than 100 tested by the state health department.
Sanne Magnan, state health commissioner, said they have 50 more specimens to check on and will continue to investigate the source of the virus.
"Based on what we know, it will be likely that there will be more cases," she said.
Health officials continue to stress the public should prevent the spread of disease by washing their hands and staying at home if they're sick. And while the state continues to stock up on antiviral medication, Magnan cautioned residents against overuse.
"We really need to think carefully about how we use the stockpile that we have, if we can use it for a longer period of time," she said.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the state has spent the last decade preparing for such an epidemic and the virus is not necessarily lethal.
"Based on what we know now, the cases in the U.S. are for the most part like seasonal flu," he said.
Deb Jacobs, director of Wilkin County Public Health, said residents who believe they have symptoms of H1N1 flu should first call the clinic or the public health department in either counties.
"We do have a screening process that can help determine whether you really need to go in or not," she said.
The Minnesota Department of Public Health information line can be reached at 1-800-657-3903.
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