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California Marines cleared of swine flu

Two of the three Marines at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., with confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus — better known as the swine flu — have been cleared because they’re no longer symptomatic and their seven-day isolation periods have expired, a base spokeswoman said.

Jennie Haskamp, public affairs officer, said the numbers are a moving target.

“One of these Marines was the case from last week, and another was quarantined awaiting test results,” Haskamp said. “By the time the results were available, his symptoms were gone and his seven days had expired.”

Haskamp said the base is following federal guidelines for prevention, detection and treatment of the H1N1 virus.

“Every action we’re taking is being led by science and every move we’re making is in the interest of public health,” Haskamp said. “We continue to monitor the situation and to emphasize basic community mitigation steps as outlined by public health officials, and our priority is and will remain the health and safety of our Marines, sailors, civilian employees and their families.”

Three Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., have been diagnosed with the virus, as well, and officials there have opened a flu clinic at the base naval hospital.