MONTPELIER, Vt.—At least five Vermont schools have closed because of student absences caused by the swine flu.
Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis says that like 47 other states, the flu is still widespread in the state and on the rise.
Four schools that have closed for periods of time are Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, the Lyndon Institute, the Isle La Motte School and the Websterville Baptist Church and Christian School.
A fifth school, The St. Johnsbury Academy, is closed Friday because of faculty and student illness.
Davis says the general recommendation is to keep schools open if possible because studies show that closing a school does not reduce transmission, but the call on whether to close should be made locally.
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