Breaking News-White House Advance Person 'probable' flu victim

White House-During a daily press conference WH press sec Gibbs reveals that and WH staff person who was in Mexico during the recent Obama visit likely has come down with the  flu that is the subject of a level 5 status issued by the World Health Org, the highest rating in its history.

The staffer is reported to have not come within 6ft of the president during the state visit.

VP Biden has created a stir after being asked by the Today Show’s Matt Lauer what the VP advises the public ought best do to protect themselves Biden candidly reponded he advises his family to avoid confined spaces during travel.

The WH has issued  a clarification of the VP’s remarks to say that if you are already feeling ill that you should not travel and possibly pass the condition on to others.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            April 30th, 2009

Statement from Vice President Biden’s Spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander:

"On the Today Show this morning the Vice President was asked what he would tell a family member who was considering air travel to Mexico this week. The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the Administration is giving to all Americans:  that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico. If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways. This is the advice the Vice President has given family members who are traveling by commercial airline this week. As the President said just last night, every American should take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu:  keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you’re sick; and keep your children home from school if they’re sick."

Posted by Foon Rhee,

The swine flu outbreak could be hitting close to home for the Obama administration, spokesman Robert Gibbs disclosed this afternoon.

A member of the advance team for President Obama’s trip earlier this month to Mexico has flu-like symptoms, but others in the delegation are fine and without any symptoms.

The staffer never flew on Air Force One, and though he was at a working dinner attended by Obama, never came within six feet of the president, Gibbs said.

Gibbs said the security staffer for Energy Secretary Stephen Chu arrived in Mexico on April 13, began to feel ill on April 16, returned to the United States on April 18, and returned to work at the department on April 20.

Three family members have since come down with the flu, and tested probable for the new swine flu virus on April 28, Gibbs said. They "suffered mild to moderate symptoms, received no medication, were not hospitalized, and have recovered," he said.

The Centers for Disease Control is conducting further tests. Gibbs said the staffer did not test positive, but probably because so much time had elapsed. He has recovered and has been cleared by doctors to return to work, Gibbs said.

Neither Obama nor Chu has had any flu symptoms, Gibbs said. And given how much time has passed from the Mexico trip, it’s "highly, highly, highly unlikely" that anyone in the US delegation was infected, Gibbs said.

It’s the second flu scare from the Mexico trip. Earlier this week, the White House had to quell speculation because a Mexican official who shook hands with Obama died. The White House issued a statement from the Mexican embassy saying that the official did not die of swine flu.