ROCKVILLE, Md. - A second Maryland school was closed Friday because of a probable case of swine flu, adding to already heightened concerned by many in the community about the risk of the disease's spread.

Though most Maryland schools with probable or suspected cases of swine flu are keeping their doors open, Prince George's County schools announced Friday that Montpelier Elementary School in Laurel will be closed for at least two weeks because a student there has a probable case of swine flu.

Unlike most cases across the nation, there is no evidence the eight-year-old student or anyone close to him traveled outside of the country.

"This thing is throwing me for a loop. I never thought it would hit this close to home," said Carole Jones, a parent.

It's the second local school to shut down. Montgomery County (web | news) Schools announced late Thursday that, on the orders of state and county health officials, Rockville High School would be closed on Friday due to a probable case of swine flu, or H1N1 influenza.

At a news conference Friday with Gov. Martin O'Malley, Superintendent Jerry Weast and state and local health officials, everyone stressed the closing was necessary.

"Schools are very good vehicles for education, certainly, but they're also good for transmission" [of disease], said Dr. Fran Phillips, Maryland's deputy secretary for public health.

All weekend events at Rockville High School will also be canceled due to concerns about the flu. Officials are also exploring ways to hold SAT testing this weekend for students.

The Rockville high and Montpelier students would be at least the ninth and tenth people in Maryland preliminarily diagnosed with swine flu. The highly contagious virus has killed more than 150 people in Mexico and one young child in the United States.

The concern at Rockville high is heightened by several factors, Maryland health officials say. The suspected swine flu sufferer is a special needs student, and there is concern the student doesn't have the ability to cover sneezes and keep his hands washed.

That prompted the officials to close the school and warn other students who may have been infected to stay away from each other for a while.

"As much as possible, students, please do not go to the malls and congregate. Please try to stay home," county Health Officer Dr. Ulder Tillman admonished students.

But some students are not heeding the warning. ABC 7's Brad Bell caught up with some Rockville high first-year students at a shopping center on Friday. They'd heard the advice to stay home but didn't consider themselves a risk to anyone.

"I don't know about any of them but I'm not showing any symptoms so I don't think I should be restricted to staying at home all day," said Elliott Byrnie, a first-year student.

In the middle of Brad's conversation with the students, something remarkable happened. A woman who runs a Rockville business appeared and lectured the students.

"You're not supposed to be in public. You have a confirmed case at your school and you could be carrying," Nancy Mancuso said. "You're bouncing a basketball and touching -- it's for your protection and everybody in the community."

The students say they understand the concern, but resent the sense in the community that they're spreading a disease.

"It's not like I'm a carrier right now," said Marshall Childs.

Ross Apter added, "I feel it's kind of ridiculous that people are telling us to go away, don't come here and people are coming up to us -- it's getting awkward."

Another cause for some concern is that the Rockville student has not been to Mexico or, as far as is known, had contact with anyone who has, suggesting that his case may not be isolated.

"The fact that this student does not have a family member -- the student has not individually traveled to one of those affected areas indicates to us that there is community-acquired disease now," Dr. Phillips explained.

Now cleaning crews are working on the best way to disinfect the school. It is still uncertain how long Rockville high will remain closed.

The news that the school was closed did not reach everyone early enough, and some teachers showed up Friday morning expecting a normal school day.

"Snow days are great, but you don't want to be closed for something like this," noted one teacher.

Staff members say that they are glad health officials are taking the necessary steps to keep students, faculty and staff safe. "It's good that they're taking precautions, that they're being proactive," said Robert Hallen, a school staff member.

Maryland officials are keeping a close eye on several schools in the area.

The wife of a World Bank employee suspected of having the disease teaches at Takoma Park Elementary; while she has not exhibited any symptoms, her exposure to the highly contagious virus means her condition is being closely monitored.

The same goes for the couple's two children, who attend Westland Middle School in Bethesda and Albert Einstein High School in Kensington. All three family members are staying home from school for a few days.

Wednesday, President Obama urged schools where cases had been reported to close briefly, but two schools in Maryland, one in Anne Arundel County and one in Baltimore County, elected to remain open despite reported flu cases.

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