Schools to Close This Fall if Large Numbers of Students Have Swine Flu

The government said Friday that schools should only close this fall if large numbers of students have swine flu, and could allow their sick kids to return 24 hours after a fever is gone.

The decision on closing rests with local school officials, but they have been looking to the federal government for advice about the new flu strain that has caused a global epidemic , The Associated Press reports.

Finding a technological solution to swine flu _ technically, Influenza (A) H1N1 (swine flu) _ will be a key scientific advance, but vital questions of scarcity, fairness and safety loom large. The swine flu vaccine will almost certainly be scarce, with manufacturers unable to meet the huge global demand , The Australian reports.

"The potential benefits of preemptively dismissing students from school are often outweighed by negative consequences, including students being left home alone, health workers missing shifts when they must stay home with their children, students missing meals, and interruption of students' education," the guidelines read , Reuters reports.