TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Florida's Surgeon General says the state has no confirmed cases of swine flu but authorities are ready to respond if one occurs.
The statement on Tuesday by Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros follows a report from Orlando of a confirmed case of the flu strain. Hospital officials there also said they have no confirmed cases.
Dr. Ros said that labs around the state are testing samples from sick individuals. She would not say how many, but said it's likely a swine flu case will eventually arise.
An initial test in Florida can take hours. If swine flu is suspected the sample will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Getting results back could take two days.
An Orlando news outlet reported it had obtained an email from an Adventist Heath System official confirming a case of the swine flu. Adventist operates Florida Hospital.
But during a Tuesday news conference called by Florida Hospital, a spokesman denied any confirmed cases exist.
The new flu strain has killed over 150 people in Mexico. 64 swine flu cases have been confirmed in the U.S., but no deaths have been reported.
