Swine Flu cases rise but none known in Genesee County

UPDATE: After this was posted, we did receive an e-mail from the County indicating a possible and a suspected case of 'Swine Flu' had been found in Genesee County. More here.

People need to be on high alert for Swine Flu, but not panicky, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

No cases are known to exist in Genesee County. There's one suspected case in Monroe County and another Chautauqua.

We called the Genesee County Health Department for an update on any local information and were told that the department has been inundated with media inquires. A staff member said an e-mail would be sent to media outlets this afternoon with an update, but as of 5 p.m. none was received.

The status of the illness is Phase 5, meaning it spreads easily from person to person but a health crisis is not imminent. Phase 6 is the highest alert.

According to a spokesman for the New York State Department of Health today there are 89 cases of suspected H1N1 virus statewide not including New York City.

Suspected cases have flu-like symptoms but have not been tested. Probable cases are lab tested with results pending and actual cases have been confirmed by the lab.

Of these 89 suspected cases, eight specimens tested probable for the virus, but none thus far have been confirmed. Yesterday, there were only three probable cases in New York outside New York City -- those in Suffolk and Cortland counties. Today there are five new probable cases, consisting of one case in five different counties -- Monroe, Chautauqua, Orange, Suffolk and Nausau. Again, none confirmed as yet.

Commonsense precautions are being advised. Avoid confined spaces with lots of people. Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your face. Dispose of used tissues in a covered container. If you're sick, stay home. Follow doctors' orders.