U.S. stays on guard as flu cases grow

The number of confirmed U.S. cases of swine flu is rising, but no cases have been reported in Florida even as some concerned people are stocking up on masks and medicine.

BY FRED TASKER AND ANDRES VIGLUCCI

The number of confirmed U.S. swine flu cases rose from 45 to 66 on Tuesday as health officials warned that at least some American fatalities are likely.

None of the confirmed cases was in Florida, and the number of U.S. cases remains small compared with the outbreak's epicenter, Mexico, where about 150 people are reported to have died from the new, highly contagious viral strain.

Still, some worried South Floridians carried out a run on prescription anti-viral drugs, surgical masks, gloves and even gowns at medical supply shops and pharmacies.

Three cruise lines, including Miami-based Carnival, canceled stops at popular ports in Mexico over swine flu concerns, though some competitors said there is little reason for concern because their ships are carefully sanitized.

And President Obama asked Congress on Tuesday to add $1.5 billion to his 2009 supplemental budget request to help fight the outbreak.

U.S. public health officials stressed there is no need to take drastic measures, such as avoiding crowds, but advised people to undertake common-sense precautions, especially frequent handwashing and covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

NO IMMUNITY

They did stress that swine flu was certain to spread because people have no immunity to the novel strain and no vaccine as yet exists.

''This is something people should keep an eye on and keep informed,'' said Dr. Vincent Conte, chief physician for the Miami-Dade Health Department. ``Right now, it hasn't reached a panic stage where you should avoid neighbors, public events, shopping malls.''

At least seven people with swine flu were hospitalized in the United States, including two in New York City, where 44 of the nation's confirmed cases are concentrated -- most at a Catholic school where some students recently returned from a spring break trip to Mexico. The city's health commissioner said ''hundreds'' more schoolchildren were ill with what was likely swine flu.

Some U.S. fatalities are probably inevitable, a top federal health official said Tuesday.

''As we continue to investigate cases here, I expect that we will see deaths in this country,'' said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during a Washington, D.C., news conference.

GROWING THREAT

Besser's prediction reflects the growing threat posed by the virus and the inability of health officials both here and abroad to contain its spread around the world. At least seven countries have confirmed cases of swine flu and officials in Israel, New Zealand, Spain and Canada announced new infections on Tuesday as the virus continues to migrate across Europe and parts of the Middle East.

''No single action that somebody takes, whether it be the government, a community, a family or an individual, will halt this. But the combined actions that we all take together will reduce the impact on our communities and on our health,'' Besser said.

In a letter to Congress, President Barack Obama said the money he requested could be used to help boost stockpiles of antiviral medications, develop a swine flu vaccine or assist international efforts to stem the outbreak.

Some in South Florida weren't waiting, however.

At Surgical World, a medical supplies store in Hollywood, manager Alicia Hubbard reported brisk sales of surgical masks, latex gloves and even a few operating-room isolation gowns of the type worn by surgeons.