Nixon says state health officials taking necessary steps to deal with swine flu

Missouri health officials are taking significant steps to deal with a new strain of swine flu, Gov. Jay Nixon said today.

While no cases of the virus have been reported in the state, health officials and the medical community have been on high alert since last week. The Associated Press reported that 40 cases in the U.S., though none have resulted in death.

A news release from Nixon's office said that state health officials have stockpiled enough antiviral medications to treat more than 600,000 cases of swine flu. State officials have requested additional doses of medicine to treat additional cases.

The state has already begun putting into place plans and resources as a precautionary measure.

"Missourians should know that people, plans and protections are in place to do everything possible to prevent the spread of swine flu in our state," Nixon said.