Sunday, April 26, 2009

NY state health dept monitors probable swine flu

NEW YORK – New York Gov. David Paterson has directed the state Department of Health to monitor and respond to probable cases of swine flu.

Paterson directed the department on Saturday to mobilize its infectious-disease, epidemiology, laboratory and disaster preparedness workers after New York City health officials reported at least eight high school students were likely sickened by swine flu.

City health officials have said they don't know whether the students have the same strain of the virus that has killed people in Mexico.

Paterson says 1,500 treatment courses of the antiviral Tamiflu have been sent to New York City.

Eleven cases of swine flu are confirmed in Kansas, Texas and California.