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WASHINGTON - Health authorities confirmed two cases of swine flu in the central US state of Kansas on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to at least ten.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said two adults were carrying the virus, adding that one of the victims was still ill and another had recovered.
"One of the patients had recently traveled to Mexico," a statement said, "both persons ... became ill with the same unique (H1N1) strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, California and Texas."
It is the latest confirmed case of the virus which has killed as many as 68 people in Mexico.
Kansas officials said they are interviewing and testing people who came into contact with the pair, who lived at the same residence.
Earlier on Saturday New York officials said eight to nine students at a New York City school were suspected of having swine flu, although test results are still pending.
Tests were ordered after dozens of students from the St. Francis preparatory school in Queens showed flu-like symptoms on Thursday, New York Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said.
Results of tests to confirm the presence of the virus in the United States' largest city will not be known until Sunday, when a statement is expected.
"We are concerned by more widespread transmission," said Frieden.
"The city is very well prepared, the hospitals are prepared, we are even prepared for the worst cases," he added.
US federal authorities have warned they expect to find more cases in the United States.
"With infections in many different communities as we're seeing, we don't think that containment is feasible," said Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of the disease are similar to seasonal flu, with high temperatures accompanying body aches and a sore throat.
Prior to this outbreak, the United States had seen 12 cases of the human form of swine influenza since 2005.
- AFP /ls
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