As University Park Elementary School closes its doors due to a possible case of swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, residents are being asked to closely monitor their own health to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The Prince George's County school system announced Saturday that the school would close for up to 14 days starting Monday after a teacher at the school was determined to have a "probable" case of the virus. Cases where the type of influenza cannot be determined through testing are listed as probable.

The suspected case is one of 15 in Maryland, none of which have been confirmed as H1N1, according to the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. University Park Elementary is one of five schools in the state now closed due to a suspected swine flu case.

One other school, Montpelier Elementary in Laurel, is in Prince George's County. There, a student was found to be probable for the virus.

"We continue to do our best to work with state and local officials to make decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of our students, their families, and our employees," county schools Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said in a press release. "The school district is encouraging frequent hand-washing and other preventative steps in all schools and offices."

The Center for Disease Control recommends that any school with a probable case close for up to 14 days. This is because carriers of the virus typically remain infectious for 7-10 days.

State health officials said the school itself is likely safe and it is only being closed to prevent the flu's spread among students and staff.

"It's not a question of the building being sick," said David Paulson, DHMH spokesman. "It's a question of human interaction."

Phone calls made Monday to University Park Elementary were not answered. All school activities and a University Park Town Council meeting scheduled for Monday night at the school have been cancelled.

E-mail David Hill at dhill@gazette.net.