Spokane has second probable swine flu case

Health officials say a 5-year-old at Sheridan Elementary School is the second person in Spokane with a probable case of swine flu. The child, the son of Spokane man in his 40s who health authorities earlier this week said was the city’s first H1N1 virus, has been home and not attending school since last week, said Spokane health officer Dr. Joel McCullough. Schools remain open and teachers, staff and students have been asked to remain vigilant about washing hands and covering their nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, said Terren Roloff, spokeswoman for Spokane Public School District 81. Health officials believe the risk to other children in the school is minimal after an investigation. The Spokane Regional Health District will not staff its telephone information line over the weekend. The total number of probable swine flu cases in Washington state is now 16. There is one probable case of swine flu in Kootenai County.