A Scottsboro Elementary School student died Monday of what health officials say is likely swine flu, but local and state health and education officials say there is no cause for panic.

Alex Garcia, 12, died at Highlands Medical Center of what is, as yet, undetermined causes. Dr. Jim McVay, director of health promotion and chronic disease for the Alabama Department of Public Health, said Garcia was being treated for a flu-like viral illness -– possibly swine flu – but this has yet to be determined. He said the nature of the illness is still under investigation, and official reports won’t be returned until sometime today at the earliest.

If swine flu is confirmed, it would be the third swine flu-related death in Alabama, according to a statement released by Judy Smith with the state health department.

Ft.  Payne Times – Journal