Washington D.C. -  A public health emergency has been declared to deal with the emerging new swine flu.  It's a precaution and doesn't signal a greater threat  but the declaration allows the federal and state governments easier access to flu tests and medications.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napilotano says roughly twelve million doses of the drug Tamiflu are being released from a federal stockpile so that states can get it if needed.

Napilotano said at a White House news conference Sunday that the emergency declaration is standard operating procedure, threats were also recently declared for the inauguration and for flooding.

Douglas County Health Director Adi Pour tells Action 3 News there is no reason to panic, health experts are watching the spread of the flu and taking appropraite precautions.

The Nebraska Health Department is also monitoring the threat, "This is a situation where we must all be on the alert," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer and Director of the DHHS Division of Public Health.  "We have ramped up surveillance and we're telling doctors that since the flu season is waning, if they see patients with a high fever and a cough or sore throat, they should collect a specimen for testing."

Dr. Schaefer said DHHS has activated it's response plan, "Increasing surveillance, alerting doctors and working with the local health departments are all part of the plan. 
 
Schaefer provided these recommendations:

• As always, people with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
• People experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

Dr. Schaefer says Nebraska is receiving frequent updates from the CDC, and is working with local health departments to monitor the situation and immediately follow up on any suspected cases.  The CDC has created a Webpage with information at www.cdc.gov/swineflu .
 
"Public health is ready to respond to an outbreak if necessary," Dr. Schaefer said.  "We have plans in place for this kind of emergency."

There are at least eleven confirmed cases of the flu in California, Texas and Kansas. There are also up to 100 students at a New York City High School that have flu-like symtoms and are being tested  for the dangerous and often deadly flu.  New York Governor David Paterson has ordered the state Department of Health to keep an eye out for and respond to probable cases of swine flu. The state has already mobilized disaster workers and infectious disease procedures.

The World Health Organization is already warning this flu strain could lead to a worldwide pandemic. 

In Mexico, the apparent source of the outbreak, everything from concerts to sports matches and church services have been cancelled in Mexico City today.  Mexican soldiers and health workers are patrolling airports and bus stations, looking for people showing symptoms. Markets and restaurants have been nearly empty and hospitals are crowded with people who display symptoms.

Reported by Carrie Murphy, cmurphy@action3news.com