40 Confirmed Swine Flu Cases In US, No Deaths; Texas Prepares

GENEVA (AP) – The World Health Organization says there are now 40 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States and that it “very concerned” about the disease’s spread.

WHO says none of the cases in the U.S. have been fatal. But the U.N. agency says it could decide in a matter of hours whether to raise its pandemic alert level as a result of the increasing number of confirmed swine flu cases in Mexico and elsewhere.

Spain confirmed the first swine flu case outside North America on Monday. WHO spokesman Paul Garwood said an emergency meeting is being led Monday by the agency’s chief Dr. Margaret Chan. He said in the Spanish case the disease was transmitted in Mexico and not passed among people in Spain.

Texas health officials have some advice today when it comes to a new strain of swine flu — to reduce your risk.

Texas Department of State Health Services spokesman Doug McBride says:

— If you’re sick, stay home

— Cover your coughs and sneezes

— Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

McBride told The Associated Press that Texas remains with just two confirmed cases of swine flu.

Also, Texas is suggesting “enhanced surveillance” by medical personnel — asking doctors, hospitals and others to check out anyone who comes in, calls in, with flu-like symptoms.

Gov. Rick Perry has asked federal health officials to provide 850,000 more courses of antiviral medication for Texas — as a precaution. Texas already has 840,000 courses of antiviral medication on hand.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)