College health officials have identified five "suspected" cases of swine flu involving Dartmouth students, according to Dartmouth director of Health Services John Turco.
A suspected case refers to an individual who presents a fever of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit in addition to other flu symptoms, Turco said. The definition does not require, as it had in the past, that the individual have close contact with communities where the flu is confirmed to be prevalent.
Three of the students are currently in isolation at Dick's House, one is in voluntary isolation at an off-campus house and another has returned home, Turco said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
All five students were seen at Dick's House and evaluated for flu-like symptoms. The three that are in isolation at Dick's House are being treated with antiviral medications, Turco said.
The students are presenting mild symptoms, Turco said. Samples from the students have been sent to a state laboratory for further analysis.
Earlier on Sunday, Gov. John Lynch, D-N.H., announced in a press conference that state health officials had identified two more "probable" cases of swine flu in New Hampshire. There are currently four "probable" cases and one confirmed case in the state.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Article first posted May 3, 2009, at 7:21 p.m.
