Flu cases in Box Elder and elsewhere worry officials

A sickness that affected more than 100 Box Elder students and caused Box Elder Schools to close Tuesday and Wednesday is most likely the result of influenza virus, a health specialist with the state Department of Public Health and Human Services said.

"We have no reason to doubt this is influenza based on what other places (in Montana) have experienced this year," said Jim Murphy, the state communicable disease surveillance officer.

The flu virus is hitting the state earlier than normal this year, he said, and has been working its way east from western Montana.

The cases have officials increas...