State officials prep for swine flu

ALBUQERQUE (KRQE) - With cases of swine flu popping up around the country, state health officials are gearing up for the arrival of the infection.

Symptoms of swine flu include fever, sore throat, lethargy, nausea, vomiting and coughing.

The New Mexico Department of Health is preparing for a significant public health emergency, according to Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Landen.

"We've had several years of planning emergency response plans our department of health department of homeland security working very hard to prepare for something like this," Landen said.

So far, there have been no positive cases of swine flu infection in New Mexico.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has listed at cases in Texas, California, Kansas, New York City and Ohio.

"We don't know if this will become a pandemic. We just have to remain vigilant and take this very seriously and track the possibility of influenza cases in New Mexico and work with the healthcare providers in New Mexico to make sure we are ready to deal with this if it should develop here," Landen said.

The CDC reported 12 human infections of swine flu from December 2005 through February 2009. Those were not passed from human to human, but developed after direct contact with pigs.

Health officials are still wondering how fast the infection could spread from human to human.

New Mexico health officials are working closely with the CDC, and are asking anyone with symptoms to call the swine flu hotline at 1-866-850-5893.