Officials: No swine flu in Cameron, Hidalgo counties

No cases of swine flu have been confirm in Cameron County, according to Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos.

"I want to emphasize that we need to stay calm here," Cascos told county officials at a Monday afternoon meeting about the disease. "There are a lot of rumors flying around, but it takes 24 to 48 hours before symptoms can be confirmed."

The Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services is on "full alert," according to director Yvette Salinas. With reported cases as close as Matamoros, experts say there's a good chance swine flu will make its way to the Valley.

"I would not at all be surprised if we see some cases in the Valley," said Dr. Joseph McCormick, regional dean at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Brownsville and an infectious diseases expert.

There are also no cases of swine flu have been reported in Hidalgo County, nor have there been any suspected cases of the virus, local officials said.

Hidalgo County health department officials made the announcement at a Monday afternoon press conference.

Should any suspected cases of swine flu turn up locally, samples will be taken from patients and sent to state health officials in Austin for testing, said Eddie Olivarez, who heads the Hidalgo County Department of Health and Human Services.

Olivarez urged people to avoid shaking hands, frequently wash their hands and avoid large public gatherings.

Anyone with flu-like symptoms - including low-grade fever and body aches - should call their doctor for consultation rather than visit emergency rooms at area hospitals, Olivarez said.

The Monitor Reporter Sara Perkins contributed to this report.