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An 8-year-old Prince George's County student at Montpelier Elementary School in Laurel has been diagnosed with a probable case of swine flu, the first reported case in the county, state and county officials announced Friday afternoon.

Gov. Martin O'Malley's (D) newly formed swine flu advisory board said during a press conference in Baltimore that state officials ordered the school's closure Friday.

State health officials said the child tested positive for influenza but the strain has not been confirmed. Tests are due back Sunday to confirm whether the case is swine flu, said Erin Bradley, a spokeswoman for the Prince George's County Health Department.

John White, spokesman for Prince George's County Public Schools, said Friday afternoon parents whose children attend Montpelier Elementary had been notified of the closure. State regulations and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines require the school to be closed for two weeks.

State officials said residents should watch for symptoms that include cough, fever, sudden debilitating fatigue and other flu-like symptoms.

Ten other cases of probable swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, had been identified in Maryland as of Friday afternoon. All patients are recovering from their illness and none have been hospitalized.

On Friday, the department also opened a swine flu information line. Residents may call 301-583-3100 with questions about the H1N1 virus between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Residents may also call the county line toll-free at 866-952-7426 or the state's information line at 877-633-5848.

County health officials said earlier this week, before the probable case of swine flu was discovered, they were prepared if the virus infected county residents.

"At present, our most important task is arming the public with accurate information about the virus, its transmission and how to stop its spread," said Donald Shell, director of the Prince George's County Health Department, in a statement.

Shell, a medical doctor, said earlier this week that the state health department has enough doses of anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu to treat those exposed to the virus.

"If anyone is ill, they should self-separate," he said. "We say, stay home. After 48 to 72 hours, it's going to pass."

The state awaits definitive test results on the suspected cases of the illness in Maryland, found in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Charles and Montgomery counties, as well as the case reported in Prince George's.

Nationally, as of Friday afternoon there had been 141 confirmed cases and one fatality, a 23-month-old boy who died Monday in Texas, confirmed by the CDC.

On Thursday, O'Malley announced formation of an advisory board to assist him and the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on possible swine flu cases in Maryland.

Over the past week, hundreds of human cases of the influenza virus that normally affects pigs have been reported in Mexico, leading to more than 100 deaths there.

Unlike the regular strains of the disease, the latest outbreak has been shown to spread from person to person.

Local doctors, hospitals, police and fire officials have been notified to look out for people with symptoms, Shell said. Officials recommend regular hand washing and other basic hygiene to prevent contracting swine flu.