Maryland health officials said two new probable cases of swine flu have been reported, bringing the total in the state to eight.
One of the new probable cases is a 53-year-old male from Montgomery County. The other is a 40-year-old woman from Baltimore County.
The Montgomery County man had traveled to Mexico on business. He became ill on April 20 but has since recovered. He was not hospitalized, but rested at home. His family members have not contracted the illness, but the man is related to an employee of Montgomery County Public Schools, according to Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Ulder J. Tillman, so the county health department is working closely with the school system to take necessary precautions.
The Baltimore County woman also had what officials called a "positive" travel history. She was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms.
It was not immediately clear if the Montgomery County man is the same person who works at the World Bank who came down with a probable case of swine flu. Health officials would not comment on any connection between the two.
However, three people in the Montgomery County Public Schools system were asked to leave their schools early on Thursday because they had contact with the World Bank employee. Two students and a teacher were sent home from Takoma Park Elementary School, Westland Middle School and Einstein High School.
"There is no case, there is no symptoms, and the only thing that these three people had in common is that they were with somebody who has a probable -- not a confirmed -- case, but even so, with the abundance of caution, we're taking all the normal procedures, because again, this is a very emotional issue to deal with," Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast said.
The school system is prepared to act swiftly if a positive case is confirmed in the school system, Weast said, but at the moment, no schools are being closed or sanitized. Weast sent a letter home to parents alerting them to the situation.
The World Bank announced earlier Thursday that a staff member in the District has been preliminarily diagnosed with swine flu. The infection is believed to have resulted from exposure while on business travel in Mexico between April 13-18, before Mexican health authorities and the World Health Organization recognized and announced the epidemic. The preliminary diagnosis was made Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is performing a second test in order to confirm the diagnosis.
The World Bank said its staff member was treated by his physician when he returned from Mexico and has made a full recovery.
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The employee was in the D.C. office for part of the day on April 20. As a precaution, all co-workers who came into contact with him are being asked to work from home until the World Bank gets direction from the D.C. Department of Health on next steps, including being tested for the virus.
The World Bank is also informing Mexico office staff who may have been in contact with the staffer to determine whether testing is warranted.
Previous Cases Not Confirmed Yet
None of the six probable cases announced Wednesday were confirmed Thursday, as tests were still being conducted.
Three of the original six cases are located in Baltimore County and three are in Anne Arundel County.
Two of the Baltimore County cases are related. A family member had traveled to Mexico, officials said.
The third Baltimore County case involves someone who traveled to the Caribbean.
In Anne Arundel County, all three cases involve one family. They did not travel to an infected area of the world, but another family member did -- to Mexico.
Two of the cases involve students. One attended Folger McKinsey Elementary School in Anne Arundel County and the other attended Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore County.
Area health departments have set up phone numbers that people can call to get information about the swine flu and answer any questions that residents may have:
- Maryland: (240) 777-4200
- Virginia: (877) ASK-VDH3 (275-8343)
- D.C.: 311
