The H1N1 flu has spread across Illinois at an alarming pace with 225 confirmed cases being reported in the state by public health officials as compared to just three less than a week ago.     

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 225 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu and 20 probable cases in Illinois. Only three confirmed and 51 probable cases were reported in the state on May 1.     

Before this week, only the CDC lab in Atlanta could definitively identify swine flu cases in the US. While the new testing capabilities have reduced a backlog of suspected flu samples, Illinois may have reported more cases since Chicago is a transportation hub with a high population, Jakubek said.     

Chicago had 102 of all Illinois cases. Meanwhile, issuing updated guidelines on school closures, the state recommended that schools with students who have swine flu can stay open unless there is a high rate of illness.     

Sick students however should stay home for a week until they are no longer contagious.The CDC no longer recommends school closures based solely upon a confirmed or suspected case of H1N1 influenza.     

"Unnecessary school closures could have a negative socioeconomic impact on communities. Therefore it is important for school and health officials to work together to decide what is in the best interest of the individual school," IDPH Director Damon Arnold said in a statement.     

Since it was first reported in Mexico in the last week of April, the H1N1 flu has claimed two people in US while the number of confirmed cases stands at 642.According to the World Health Organisation, the number of confirmed cases of swine flu has reached 1,893 across 23 countries.

Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak, has 942 confirmed cases, including 29 deaths, the health agency said.

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