Confirmed cases of the swine flu in Colorado climbed to 10 today, including a second baggage handler at Denver International Airport.
The 10 confirmed cases include:
None of the 10 was in the hospital, and all are recovering, state health authorities said.
The newest four include an elementary school student and a college student from Adams County, an elementary student in Jefferson County and a woman in her 30s from Fremont County.
Health authorities said those with flu symptoms should stay home for seven days. Excel Academy in Arvada is closed until Thursday because a student contracted the H1N1 virus. Aurora Public Schools is closing Park Lane Elementary School “until further notice,” the district said today.
Denver Health Medical Center announced this morning that it was investigating a second case involving a baggage handler at DIA to determine whether there is a link between the two.
The first baggage handler was a Douglas County man in his 40s who works for United Airlines.
“This is a typical investigation that is conducted whenever multiple illnesses are reported within a geographically contained area,” said Dr. Chris Urbina, director of Denver Public Health.
Epidemiologists from Denver Public Health, Denver Environmental Health, Tri-County Health and the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment are working together to determine whether “commonalities” exist between the two cases, said Urbina.
Investigators will evaluate the physical environment; interview co-workers and others in the immediate area, and develop hypotheses on the possible source of the illness and whether there is a possibility for future spread.
The first baggage handler infected said he became extremely ill after contracting the flu and spent several days in the hospital.
Late Monday, the University of Colorado at Boulder said it believed three students there may have the flu. One of the students lives in a residence hall — CU officials declined to say which one — and was isolated from other students. The other suspected victims live off campus.
Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com
