An Onondaga County student attending a Cayuga County private school has a confirmed case of swine flu, the Cayuga County Department of Health said Thursday.

The student attends Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate, a parochial middle/high school on Clymer Street in Auburn.

This is the first confirmed case of swine flu tied to Cayuga County, the 18th in Onondaga County and 578th in the state to date. Onondaga County Department of Health Medical Director Quoc Nguyen said the H1N1 swine flu is widespread throughout that county, and the student could have been exposed to it in numerous ways.

The student has been recuperating at home since becoming ill, Cayuga County Department of Health Deputy Director of Health Services Kathleen Cuddy said. Tyburn students and their parents are aware of the situation and are monitoring themselves for symptoms.

In the meantime, Cuddy said, school officials are redoubling their efforts to disinfect facilities.

“All schools on the whole are very good at keeping the schools clean,” she said. “And I certainly know there is increased efforts at disinfection going on at the school. They certainly maintain a good level anyway, but they are providing increased effort in that area in particular.”

Tyburn Academy Principal Jeanne Hogan could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

The county health department and physicians are treating H1N1 swine flu like seasonal flu. As such, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Health and the state Department of Education are no longer advising schools with confirmed cases to close to prevent further exposure.

However, these entities are advising anyone who has mild flu-like symptoms to stay at home for at least seven days even if symptoms end sooner. Symptoms may include fever of more than 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and body aches.

Anyone sick for more than seven days should stay at home for an additional 24 hours after symptoms have resolved. Re-entry to school is permitted after that 24 hour period if students are fever-free and otherwise feel well.

Additionally, there are precautionary measures people can take to prevent the spread of swine flu or any other respiratory-like illness. The county Department of Health is reminding people to cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing. Tissues should be thrown in the garbage after use.

Wash hands with soap and water thoroughly, especially after sneezing or coughing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

To prevent the spread of germs, avoid touching noses and mouths, and stay at home if feeling ill.

For more information about swine flu, visit the county Department of Health's Web site at www.cayugacounty.us/hhs/doh. The county swine flu hot line number is 253-1157 and the state Department of Health's hot line number is (800) 808-1987.

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net