Dr. Matthew Huddleston, Middlefield’s health director, has confirmed that an elementary school-aged child living in town has been identified as having a probable case of swine flu. The child is taking medication and improving. Whether or not this is an actual case of swine flu is being determined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

According to a news release put out by Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, the child reported recent travel to Mexico, as have the other two tentative cases reported in the state. Rell is holding conference calls with local officials around the state to update them on the steps the state has taken to deal with the illness, even though no cases have been confirmed by the CDC as yet.

Among the steps being taken by the state is the distribution of antiviral medication to Connecticut’s 31 acute care hospitals as well as the provision of “excellent information,” according to Dr. Huddleston, via handouts and websites such as www.ct.gov.

Because the child did not attend school this week, none of the experts consulted by Superintendent of Schools Susan Viccaro, including District 13’s medical advisor, Middlefield’s Department of Public Health and the state Department of Public Health, has recommended that local schools be closed. Exposure is assumed to be minimal because the child stayed home from school, which is exactly what public health experts recommend for those feeling ill.

“Common sense measures” and staying home with a fever are what Dr. Huddleston recommends as well.

Updates on this situation as it affects District 13 schools will be posted on the website (www.rsd13.org) as they are received and parents especially are urged to monitor this site.