SEEKONK - The town's board of health reiterated Friday that there have been no confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in Seekonk, however the virus likely has arrived.

The statement came a day after the superintendent of schools issued a letter to parents saying there "are a few confirmed cases (of H1N1) in the Seekonk Public Schools."

Superintendent Madeline Meyer said Thursday that she sent the letter to inform parents and staff after two cases in which parents reported their doctors told them their children had the H1N1 flu.

Meyer said she did not talk directly to the doctors.

Health agent Beth Hallal said Thursday there had been no confirmed cases in the entire town. In a statement issued by the town's board of health Friday, the board said the letter from the superintendent "inaccurately stated that there are 'confirmed' cases of H1N1 influenza among some absent students. This is not true."

"As of October 23, 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed to us that there are NO confirmed cases of H1N1 illness in the Town of Seekonk," it said in Friday's statement.

However, the statement continued, while there are no confirmed cases, "there are many presumed cases."

The statement explained the distinction, saying that confirmation requires a laboratory test; a presumed case is a determination made by the treating physician and takes into account the symptoms of the child, the time of year and what similar illnesses are present within the community.

"With this distinction in mind, there are several presumed cases of H1N1 infection among the students who are absent from school. There is, therefore, every reason to believe that the H1N1 infection has arrived in Seekonk."

The health board stated that its office has been working with the school department to monitor absenteeism related to influenza in the schools since February.

"There are other illnesses that can produce similar symptoms to the H1N1 infection, including the seasonal influenza. The seasonal influenza season has not yet begun."

The statement reminds people that there are separate vaccines for each of the two types of influenza and that the seasonal flu vaccine will not be effective against the H1N1.

In the meantime, many public health offices locally are still waiting to receive batches of both of the vaccines because of a nationwide lag in production.