One Lincoln high school has been hit hard by illness and health officials say swine flu or H1N1 is to blame in some of the cases.

Officials at Pius X High School reported 232 students were out on Wednesday, including several girls on the softball team. The number of ill students is way above average.

"In the flu seasons in the past we might get over 100, but certainly not this early in the year and I don’t even know that we've ever had 180 people calling in with flu-like symptoms like we’ve had today,” said principal Tom Korta.

About a dozen cases have been confirmed as swine flu. Officials say any students who complain of being ill are being moved to a separate room to reduce the chance that the bug will spread. So far no other schools in Lincoln have had a similar outbreak.

Officials have reported three swine-flu deaths in Nebraska. The H1N1 flu is present statewide, but outbreaks have been reported in Omaha, Crete, Chadron and Loup City.