With 40 cases of swine flu confirmed in the United States, including two in Kansas and one in Ohio, local health departments are alerting doctors and citizens to be watchful.

“On a local level, while this situation remains critical, there is no need for panic or alarm,” the Cook County Department of Public Health said Saturday in a release.

According to the release, the department has “alerted healthcare providers of the need to consider the possibility of swine influenza infections as well as seasonal influenza in patients presenting with febrile respiratory illness.

“Testing is particularly advised for ill persons with a recent history of travel to Mexico and those who have been in contact with ill persons from California and Texas,” the release said.

The DuPage County Health Department activated its staff Sunday to monitor all developments on swine flu in the area.

The health department has distributed information on the disease — which has killed more than 20 people in Mexico — to local physicians, hospital emergency rooms, laboratories and infection control practitioners.

“We don’t have any cases within DuPage County, but this is the time for us to be very diligent,” said David Hass, public information officer for the DuPage County Health Department.

The swine flu outbreak is believed to have started in Mexico, where more than 1,600 cases have been reported.

With spring break ending recently at many area schools, the DuPage County Health Department is advising students who may have traveled to Mexico on break to take extra precaution.

“Our advice is, if you are ill, or feeling ill, you should contact your doctor,” Hass said.

In Kane County, Paul Kuehnert, executive director of the Kane County Health Department, said health officials there are also working with area schools to help get information out to parents.

School closings have taken place in certain areas of the United States that have been affected by the swine flu, but Kuehnert said there is no reason to close any local schools.

“We are working with schools and school nurses,” Kuehnert said. “We want to make sure that we get that information (out) and are able to help the schools.”

Other simple tips to prevent infection include: covering your mouth when coughing, staying home if you are sick, and washing your hands, Hass said.

State and local health department say they are keeping close watch of the situation as it continues to develop.

For more Illinois information go to www.idph.state.il.us. For updates from the Center for Disease Control go to www.cdc.gov/swineflu.