Mount Salus Christian School in Clinton has canceled classes for the rest of the week because at least a quarter of the schools 360 students are at home sick.

Headmaster John Mark Whitney himself was diagnosed with the flu on Tuesday but worked Wednesday because the school was so short-staffed. He said at least 25 percent of teachers and staff also are out sick.

Whitney said he and elementary school principal Mary Kenyon talked Tuesday and agreed to cancel classes Thursday and Friday if things weren't better by Wednesday.

Two Mississippi youths, from Madison and DeSoto counties, have died from the flu this year. Their names and ages have been withheld by the state Department of Health.