A swine flu scare among students here has led to a sudden fall in attendance in schools and colleges in this union territory.

Screening of students is done every morning by their class teachers and suspected cases are sent home. Over 500 students studying at various schools here were sent back after they exhibited flu-like symptoms.

So far, 675 suspected cases of swine flu have been reported in Chandigarh hospitals, of which over 115 tested positive. The positive cases included over 50 students.

Four private schools and two engineering colleges of Chandigarh, were closed down after their students reported flu-like symptoms.

'We have clearly directed the school authorities to check every child properly. We know that there is a fall in attendance but we cannot take any chances. We have also told the schools to postpone or reschedule the exams or unit tests for ailing students,' said an official of education department.

According to the guidelines issued to city schools, if three or more students test positive from different classes of the same school, then the authorities are to close down the premises for at least one week.

Meanwhile, two new cases of influenza A (H1N1) virus were reported here Saturday. They included a Class 7 student,

'We are keeping a close tab on the situation. Overall, the situation is under control and there is no need to panic. Our health officials are also well-equipped to tackle any emergency,' nodal officer for swine flu H.C. Gera told IANS.

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