Northwest Indiana School Closed After Swine Flu Diagnosis

Associated Press

Image of the H1N1 influenza virus.
*CDC Influenza Laboratory*

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Officials have decided to keep a Catholic high school in northwestern Indiana closed until next week after two students became sick with a potentially dangerous flu strain.

Andrean High School president Harry Vande Velde says professional cleaning crews were continuing to disinfect the Merrillville school on Tuesday. He tells The Times of Munster the school will remain closed Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday break.

Officials closed the 550-student school on Monday after two students, who are brothers, were diagnosed over the weekend with swine flu, also known as H1N1. Swine flu has a history of being particularly dangerous among younger adults.

Vande Velde says the school is continuing to sell tickets for Andrean's game on Saturday against Tri-West in Indianapolis for the Class 3A football championship.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

'Beat the Chef' contest encourages School 54 kids to cook healthy food

On the near east side of Indianapolis, Brookside School 54 students squared off in a competition against a chef on Thursday to see who could make the tastiest nutritious snack. It’s part of a partnership between the Indianapolis Public Schools district and insurance company Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to provide cooking and nutrition education.

Health / April 26, 2024

The Checkup: Ozempic babies? Explaining unexpected pregnancies on GLP-1 drugs

The way Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs that spur weight loss work and interact with birth control may be behind some unexpected pregnancies.

Health / April 25, 2024

How will the FTC’s ban on noncompete agreements impact doctors and nurses?

The Federal Trade Commission's ban on noncompetes would impact the health care industry when and if it goes into effect. Some in the industry are applauding the rule, while others are voicing their dismay and vowing to sue.