WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama today said school authorities with confirmed cases of swine flu should consider closing.

The president said Americans "should know" the government is doing all it can to contain the emerging health menace.

Giving a flu update at an event welcoming Sen. Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party, Obama also said he wanted to convey "my thoughts and prayers" to the family of a 23-month-old child in Texas who has died from the flu.

As for schools, he said closures in some instances might be necessary, especially in cases of confirmed infections.

Obama said it is the recommendation of public health officials "that schools with confirmed cases ... should consider closing if the situation becomes more serious."