Swine Flu-Nassau and Suffolk NY

2 probable swine flu cases in Nassau; 1 in Suffolk

BY RIDGELY OCHS AND SOPHIA CHANG

newsday.com/news/local/ny-liswin3012711078apr29,0,5545158.story

5:03 PM EDT, April 29, 2009

Two Nassau County residents probably have swine flu - one a part-time worker and the other a student at a Queens parochial school where there are 45 confirmed cases of the virus, health officials said Wednesday.

The worker at St. Francis Preparatory School lives in Oceanside, and the student lives in Rockville Centre, said Mary Ellen Laurain, a spokeswoman for the Nassau County Health Department.

Both have exhibited mild symptoms and are at home, Laurain said.

Another student who lives in Great Neck was previously identified as one of the 45 confirmed cases.

A third probable case of swine flu on Long Island involves a 10-year-old Deer Park girl who attended a track meet in Astoria, according to Suffolk County health officials.

Dr. Richard Daines, the state's health commissioner, said he did not know whether the Suffolk case had a clear connection to Mexico, where the virus has its roots.

The Geneva-based World Trade Organization on Wednesday raised its alert level for the fast-spreading swine flu to its next-to-highest notch, signaling a global pandemic could be imminent.

The move came after the virus spread to at least 10 U.S. states from coast to coast and swept deeper into Europe.

Fifty-one cases of swine flu have been confirmed in New York State, most at the Fresh Meadows high school, the CDC says.

"We are urging all residents to be prepared, not scared," County Executive Thomas Suozzi said in a statement.

Suozzi and the Health Department urged residents to protect themselves and prevent the spread of illness by washing your hands; covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze; avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth; avoiding close contact with sick people; and staying home from work or school if you get sick.