KANDY - The temporary closure of schools of the Central Province for fear of spread of swine fever Influenza H1N1 will be effective till Friday (27) from Monday (23) today.

Any extension of the closure of schools will be announced following the report of the Special Committee appointed to investigate the swine fever situation of the Central Province, Chief Minister CP, Sarath Ekanayake said yesterday (22).

The special committee will arrive in Kandy on Wednesday 25, according to the Chief Minister.

The decision to close the schools of the Central Province was taken by the provincial authorities last week as a temporary measure in view of the spread of swine fever in the province at a high rate. A large number of patients of fever suspected of H1N1 were admitted to Kandy and Peradeniya hospitals.

A school boy of Kandy died following swine fever which was a positive case according MRI reports, while at least ten others, inclusive of two expectant mothers, have died suspected of the same sickness.

Sources said that 24 patients at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital and 14 at the Kandy General Hospital are undergoing treatment for H1N1 infection.