One confirmed, nine probable of A/H1N1 flu in Alabama

Special Report:
World Tackles A/H1N1
Flu

HOUSTON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
on Saturday confirmed the first case of A/H1N1 flu in the State of Alabama.

The patient is a kindergartener at Heritage Elementary School in the city
of Madison, local public health officials said late in the evening.

Meanwhile, six new probable cases of A/H1N1 flu are identified on Saturday
in the state, including five students. That brings to 10 the number of confirmed
and probable cases so far in the state -- one in Jefferson County, one in
Montgomery and eight in the city of Madison.

Local public health officials were notified late Saturday afternoon that
the Jefferson County, the largest in Alabama, has detected its first probable
case of A/H1N1 flu. The patient is an adult man with a type of virus that is 95
percent likely to be A/H1N1 flu.

Other five probable cases identified on Saturday in Madison were all from
students, but increased from one to four the number of schools affected.
Officials said all the elementary schools in the city of Madison remain closed
until May 14.

Alabama has been identifying probable cases that it then sent to CDC for
confirmation. Officials say starting next week the state will be able to confirm
its own cases.