AUGUSTA -- There are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Maine currently, but the state's top medical official said she expects to see the illness here eventually.

State health officials are taking precautions to minimize an outbreak, Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, said Monday. Mills said this strain of influenza virus arouses concern because of its hybrid nature.

"This is a very different type of swine flu," Mills said Monday. "This is (a subtype) of A/H1N1 from swine, human and avian -- bird influenza. The genetics of it is very unique. The genetic mixing has more tendency to change, and spreading is somewhat rapid."

Federal officials declared a public health emergency Sunday because of an outbreak of swine flu in the United States. The virus is suspected in more than 145 deaths in Mexico -- but none in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at midday Monday.

The federal government is releasing about 12 million doses of the anti-viral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, believed to be effective in treating severe cases of the flu, from a federal stockpile.

Maine is among seven states that did not purchase the antiviral drugs for use during a pandemic. Mills said the state didn't purchase the drugs because of budget constraints and because the state has access to the increased federal stockpiles.

"These are free of charge," she said. "They're ours to maintain (during an outbreak), and we do have a distribution plan."

Mills said the state is expecting 30,000 to 40,000 doses, and that 39 community hospitals will receive some of them.

She said state health officials have been working closely with the federal government and other public health officials in New England to detect and track the flu, and on potential responses. The state also has a pandemic influenza plan, she said.

"This is not a time to panic," Mills said. "State agencies have strategies that give us good guides on how we should act."

Mills said swine flu cases are likely to occur in Maine, especially now that children have returned from spring break.

She said families may have vacationed in Mexico or other outbreak areas and are back at school and their jobs. The virus also could arrive in Maine by way of Mexican migrant workers. The virus also has been detected in Nova Scotia.

Frances Miliano, of Farmingdale, returned Saturday from a weeklong cruise that stopped in Cozumel, a popular vacation area in Mexico, for a day.

"I went into town and did some shopping that particular day and had seen the news, but there was absolutely no indications that anything was wrong ... no one was wearing masks," Miliano said. "I didn't give it another thought."

Mills said everyone must be vigilant to keep the flu outbreak minimal in Maine.

She said people should cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, wash their hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners, try to avoid close contact with sick people, and stay home from work or school if sick. Travelers returning from areas with confirmed swine flu cases, such as Mexico, Southern California, southern Texas and other areas identified by CDC, should pay close attention to their health for a week, Mills said.

Swine flu symptoms are similar to regular human influenza symptoms. They include fever with cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

"If you become sick with the symptoms of swine flu during this period, you should call your health care provider with the information about your symptoms and where you traveled," Mills said.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com