Associated Press - October 6, 2009 12:54 PM ET

HUACHUCA CITY, Ariz. (AP) - Illness has brought school to a halt in Huachuca City.

For the next four days Huachuca City Elementary will be closed and crews will be disinfecting everything that children put their hands on.

On Monday, 36% of the student body at the southern Arizona school was absent.

Cochise County Health Director Vaira Harik said the vast majority of flu circulating in the Sierra Vista area is the H1N1 virus known as swine flu.

School officials said 171 students of the 475 who attend stayed home Monday as well as ten staffers.

Superintendent Karl Uterhardt says there were 140 absences Friday.

Huachuca City Elementary will remain closed today through Saturday.

After that, fall break kicks in. So, while students are away, the entire school will be disinfected including door knobs, desks, restrooms, and the cafeteria.

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