No cases of swine flu reported in state, health officials say

No cases of swine flu have been reported in Washington state, health officials said today.

State epidemiologist Tony Marfin said the state is stepping up its disease surveillance at clinics, hospitals and other testing sites to see whether the strain of virus associated with about 86 deaths in Mexico has reached Washington state.

The state also will increase to daily the frequency of its surveillance reports to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Normally, the state reports such results weekly, Marfin said.

The increased diligence, Marfin said, stems from the lack of knowledge about the virus, which was first identified April 15.

The U.S. declared a public-health emergency Sunday, reporting 20 cases of mild illness in five states. They do not yet know why the same strain has killed dozens of people in Mexico while causing only mild illness in the U.S. and Canada.

"People should be very reassured that the cases reported here [U.S.] have been mild," said Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, chief of communicable disease for Seattle and King County's public health department.

Still, he urged people to continue to pay attention as the situation is evolving, and the state's advice could change quickly if more serious illness is detected.

State health Secretary Mary Selecky said state officials just learned of the Vancouver, B.C., cases today. Canadian health officials told The Vancouver Province newspaper that the men, ages 25 and 35, contracted the virus while visiting Mexico. Both men are resting at home.

"We're on the watch for it," Selecky said. "It's evolving so quickly, it's hard to predict."

Selecky said people making travel plans should check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's Web site — cdc.gov for travel advisories, especially involving trips to Mexico.

"I think people should think about whether they want to travel right now," she said.

Officials at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport said they will change procedures if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that is warranted.

Selecky said people can help prevent the spread of all flu by washing their hands frequently or using anti-bacterial gel, and staying home if they're sick.

Public-health officials will brief the Metropolitan King County Council on the situation on Monday.