A U.S. health official said at least five people are hospitalized with swine flu in the United States and deaths are likely.

"I fully expect we will see deaths form this infection," as swine flu cases are investigated, said Richard Besser, acting director of the federal Centers for Disease Control.

The hospitalizations include three in California and two in Texas, he said.

Besser said the country has 64 confirmed cases acorss five states, with 45 in New York, one in Ohio, two in Kansas, six in Texas and 10 in Caloifornia. At least four other cases have been reported by states.

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The state's health director says 15 suspected cases of swine flu in North Carolina have tested negative for the virus, but there are still several cases left to study.

Dr. Jeff Engel said he was pleasantly surprised to find that investigators found no trace of the flu - even the seasonal flu - in all the suspected cases tested by Tuesday evening. He said there were about 10 to 20 more suspected cases that will be tested soon.

Engel said there are suspected but sporadic cases from around the state.


"We're behaving as if the disease is here," said Engel, noting that the state expects to soon receive an allotment of anti-viral medications and respirators that could help combat the spread.

Engel said two people traveling by plane through Charlotte have been hospitalized. He said one person arriving from Mexico did not feel well and was sent to the hospital.

"We are isolating that patient and will not allow that patient to continue to travel," Engel said, noting that the person was not a North Carolina resident but was being held in the state. He said a second traveler who sought medical attention was soon to go to the airport to return home in Texas.

Health officials have declined to say where the other suspected cases are or to say how many. Engel said he would wait until confirmations come in.

"The rule-ins and the rule-outs come and go," he said.

Engel said health officials do not feel it is necessary to quarantine patients and everyone who has had contact with them. But people with suspected cases have been ordered to stay home - involuntarily.

"This is a prudent step to stem the spread of this potentially pandemic disease," he said.

Authorities have reported 51 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States in New York City, California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and Indiana. In Mexico, the suspected number of deaths is now over 150, and officials believe nearly 2,000 people have been infected.

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Swine Flu Special Section

Full Transcript From Tuesday Web Chat With State Epidemiologist

Number of cases rise in the U.S.