SAN DIEGO, CA and CHICAGO, IL—In California, San Diego is reporting some of the highest numbers of confirmed cases of swine flu at 5, with 3 more unconfirmed cases.

In a press conference, Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County’s Public Health Officer, said cases include, “A 10 year old boy, a 54 year old father and 16 year old daughter, a 7 year old boy, and a 20 year old male reported yesterday.”  The county is awaiting confirmation of the 3 suspected swine flu cases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The outbreak is hitting neighboring Mexico the hardest.  While there is increased surveillance at the border, there are no plans to close it.  Here in San Diego near Tijuana, people are on alert to protect themselves.

“I have kids on the Mexican side (of the border),” one father who did not identify himself confided.  “I’m afraid they can contract the virus, and this is pretty scary right now.”

The 7 year old Dr. Wooten confirmed as a positive swine flu case attended Christ the Cornerstone Academy in heavily-Filipino populated Mira Mesa neighborhood.  The school was closed earlier this week.  6 teachers reported flu-like symptoms. 

“We thought it was prudent to obtain specimens on individuals who reported illness, and close the school until we got the (results),” Wooten said.  “We are happy today that the tests came back negative and the school will be allowed to reopen.”

Health officials are urging the public to take necessary measures to slow the spread of the outbreak. Dr. Wooten says if you feel mild symptoms stay home from work and school, and also for family members to be careful not to infect the outer community.

While in Chicago, a probable case of swine flu prompted the closure of a Northside Chicago elementary school for at least two days.

Kilmer Elementary School is located in a neighborhood with a large Filipino-American population. School officials noted an unusually high absentee rate at the school in the last few days.  Because of this, officials closed the school even before one of its students was discovered to have a probable case of swine flu.

While there are no confirmed swine flu cases in Illinois at this time, some Chicagoans are not taking risks.  They are going around in facemasks.