CAMERON - Officials in Marshall County are working to determine whether recent illnesses at Cameron elementary and high schools are cases of the swine flu.

According to Marshall County Health Department Administrator Ronda Francis, there has been an increase in "flu-like" illnesses at the schools recently, prompting health officials to monitor fluctuations in student absences. She estimated 100 student absences have been reported between both schools since Monday.

"There are a number of kids reporting sick," she said, noting that some of the absences may be the result of parents keeping students home to avoid illness.

Francis said testing is being done through the West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services to determine if the illnesses are H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, or an early onset of the seasonal flu. She said if any of the cases are confirmed to be swine flu, those diagnosed would receive the same treatment as if they had the seasonal flu, as the symptoms are the same.

Francis said the health department will be going to all Marshall County schools over the next few weeks to offer swine flu immunizations as the vaccine becomes available, adding that parents or legal guardians must be present for students to receive flu shots. She said the department is working with the schools to advance infection control measures to control the spread of disease. Her department staff already had been meeting with school officials regarding the clinics prior to the Cameron illnesses. The department received its first swine flu immunizations this week - 300 doses.

"We're receiving vaccine shipments every week, and we will be going to the schools every week," Francis said, adding that by going to schools, the department is helping to cover the swine flu target age range of 6 months to 24 years old.

Dates for the clinics have not been scheduled, but Francis said letters will be sent out to parents notifying them of the clinics.