Gov. Perry issues disaster declaration over swine flu
Confirmed swine flu cases in Texas jump to 16
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 16 cases of swine flu in Texas, and Gov. Rick Perry has issued a disaster declaration for the entire state.
Perry's disaster declaration, which he announced Wednesday, will allow officials to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government.
Perry also said the CDC has approved his request for additional courses of antiviral medication. He says Texas has 850,000 more courses coming; the state already has 840,000.
"My office, along with the Department of State Health Services and other state, local and federal partners have a plan in place to protect Texans should there be a pandemic flu outbreak or other health emergency," Perry said in a statement that his office issued.
The number of confirmed cases in Texas has climbed to 16 and one death. In total, 91 cases have been confirmed in the U.S.
In the city, Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr. said that he is considering opening the Emergency Command Center and contacting the Brownsville Independent School District to see if it would consider closing schools.
(The Associated Press has contributed to this report.)
