Baguio City - Two big schools in this mountain resort city suspended classes starting Wednesday due to suspected infection of a number of students by the dreaded A(H1N1) virus.

The Saint Louis University (SLU) suspended classes on all levels in its campuses in the city on July 8-19, 2009 as a precautionary measure to protect the over 40, 000 students from the disease.

Work in the different SLU campuses was also suspended, but non-teaching personnel were ordered to return to work on July 18 to prepare the school for the resumption of classes.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Baguio (UB) also suspended classes on the elementary and secondary levels for five days within which it will sanitize its facilities in a bid to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus.

The two schools advised students experiencing flu symptoms to visit the nearest clinic or hospital so that they could be diagnosed to find out what sickness they are suffering from.

Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, regional director of the Center for Health Development (CHD) in the Cordillera, said the decision of the two schools to suspend classes is considered precautionary and preventive due to the reported increase in the number of students with flu-like symptoms.

She said it is now the prerogative of the school administration to suspend classes even if there is no confirmed A(H1N1) case in its campus to ensure that the students are spared by the disease.