College campuses across the country are taking extra precautions to prepare for outbreaks of the swine flu.

The Chicago Tribune reported there are new suspected cases of the swine flu at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Delaware and California State University at Long Beach and San Diego.

College health officials nationwide are keeping students, faculty and staff up to date with e-mails and health bulletins.

Dr. David E. Newman, director of student health services, sent out an Intercom announcement on Monday to the campus community and said there are no reported cases at Ithaca College or in the local community.

He said the medical staff is fully prepared to address patients' concerns related to flu-like symptoms, screen patients who might be at risk, assure prompt and appropriate medical care and implement precautions to protect others.

Colleges are taking these extra precautions because global health authorities are warning that swine flu is threatening to spread into a pandemic, according to the Associated Press. It was reported that the virus spread farther in Europe even as the outbreak appeared to stabilize at its epicenter.

Eight states closed schools today, affecting 53,000 students in Texas alone, and President Barack Obama said more school closings might be necessary to keep crowds from spreading the flu, according to the AP. Mexico has already closed schools nationwide until at least May 6 because in addition to the 160 deaths, the virus is believed to have sickened 2,498 people across the country.

The International Association of Emergency Managers has created a Google map of swine-flu cases reported on college campuses.