Ed. Note: The Cherokee Phoenix has removed any references to the closure of the Sequoyah Schools and has removed references to the BIE memo regarding school closures. The BIE has since contacted Indianz.Com about the school closure. Indianz.Com is awaiting a response from the BIE about the issue.

The Bureau of Indian Education is forcing schools with cases of H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, to close for three days, The Cherokee Phoenix reports.

Sequoyah Schools on the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma closed after a case was confirmed on campus. "We have to close for a mandatory three days to sanitize the facility," spokesperson Tera Shows told the paper.

The World Health Organization issued guidance last Friday that said school closures appear to be the most effective way to stop the spread of the virus. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently does not recommend closures.

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation officials prepare for H1N1 virus (The Cherokee Phoenix 9/15)

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