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More swine flu cases reported at AF Academy

More than 100 Air Force Academy basic cadet trainees are in isolation after being diagnosed with swine flu or experiencing flu-like symptoms, officials said.

Over the weekend, 52 trainees received word they have the H1N1 virus, bringing the number of confirmed cases at the academy to 67, said John Van Winkle, an academy spokesman. Another 54 fell ill, coughing, running a fever and complaining of body aches. They’re awaiting test results to determine if they have the flu.

Tests have been sent to the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Epidemiology Lab at Brooks City Air Base, Texas, where 15 swine flu cases were confirmed July 10. Test results usually are available in 24 hours.

All ill trainees are being kept in a dormitory, away from their classmates; no one has been hospitalized, Van Winkle said. Five cadets have received treatment and are back with their units.

The 121 cadets represent 9 percent of the 1,341 incoming freshman who arrived at the academy June 25 for training before their first semester.

The cadets should still be able to finish their training, which is scheduled to end Aug. 1, Van Winkle said.

“Training will be adapted just as if they had the flu or a sprained ankle,” he said.

The entire cadet wing is scheduled to arrive at the academy Aug. 6. The academy has not considered changing the return date, said Capt. Corinne Jones, an academy spokeswoman.

“This is a serious matter and we are treating it as such. We understand friends and family are concerned about their loved ones and we will release updates as information becomes available, Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, the academy’s superintendent, said in a statement released July 10.

The swine flu outbreak forced officials to alter the long-held tradition of “Doolie Day Out,” the first day trainees can leave campus and head to nearby Colorado Springs, Col. Trainees, called doolies, still received a day off July 11 but had to stay on campus to prevent the virus’ spread.

Two other Air Force sites — Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska — also have reported confirmed cases of swine flu this summer.

The Air Force, however, has no plans for additional preventative measures other than isolating those with flu-like symptoms and instructing all airmen to wash their hands more often as recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Betty-Anne Mauger, an Air Force Surgeon General spokeswoman.

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