DHEC CONFIRMS 13 CASES IN STATE, 2 SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED

Fears surrounding a possible outbreak of the swine flu in South Carolina materialized Thursday as state officials confirmed thirteen cases of the deadly virus.

The Centers for Disease control disputed the number, putting it at 10 cases. But both the CDC and the Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed that dozens of South Carolinians were voluntarily isolating themselves in case they were infected.

DHEC chief Jerry Gibson told the Associated Press Thursday he expects the number of confirmed cases to continue to increase.

The news came after Mauldin High School in Greenville closed Thursday due to reports that up to 18 students may have been infected on a recent band trip to Disney World.

Earlier this week, the Newberry Academy became the first school to close it doors over swine flu fears. A number of students and adults returning from Cancun, Mexico reported experiencing flu-like symptoms.

The swine flu is blamed for more than 100 deaths worldwide, most of them in Mexico. Ten states in the U.S. have reported cases including one death in Texas.