More Possbile CMU Swine Flu Cases Reported Before Start Of Classes

Carnegie Mellon University has reported another eight cases of possible swine flu, bringing the total number of sick students to 26.

CMU's director of student health services Anita Barkin said students began contacting health services with flu-like symptoms just days before classes officially begin on Monday.

Freshmen arrived Aug. 16 for orientation.

Barkin said classes have not been canceled. She said that could change if there are more severe cases of the flu, causing a high rate of absenteeism among students and faculty.

The ill students have been placed in isolation in an on-campus facility with round-the-clock nurses. An extra nurse has been hired to staff the area.

Previous Stories: August 25, 2009: CMU Takes Action To Prevent Possible Swine Flu Outbreak