State and local health officials continue to watch new cases of swine flu, reporting 17 cases in Arizona, with no confirmed cases of the influenza in Cochise County. Thirteen of the state’s new cases were reported on Saturday.

Because this strain of H1N1 isn’t acting any differently than seasonal flu, some health officials are relaxing earlier recommendations about dismissing school when one confirmed case is reported in a school district.

Dr. Bob England, director of public health in Maricopa County, is advising that schools remain open, even when cases of H1N1 are reported.

“I have weighed this carefully and discussed the options with district school superintendents just (Saturday) morning and we are all in agreement that we must remain consistent in our public health recommendations,” England said. “If I dismissed schools every time we had an outbreak of seasonal influenza, I would be closing schools all winter long. Right now, there is no data to support that this H1N1 is any different, so we must defer to our standard of good ol’ fashioned public health messages that we give every year.”

Those recommendation include hand washing, staying home when sick and coughing into a sleeve or tissue to prevent germs from spreading. The state health department is keeping school districts updated about how to handle new cases. Schools are being advised to continue working with students on proper hygiene. In addition, schools are being asked to report absentee rates to public health officials.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Monday that swine flu is no more dangerous than the regular flu virus. As of Monday, the World Health Organization reported that this particular strain of influenza is being blamed for 26 deaths: 25 in Mexico and one in the United States.

Despite Napolitano’s somewhat optimistic outlook, she warns the flu causes about 35,000 fatalities each year in this country. And there are concerns that the virus could return in the fall as a much stronger strain.

As more swine flu cases are reported and the situation evolves, the state health department will continue to follow guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and make recommendations based on those guidelines.

In communities with known cases of swine flu, health officials are recommending that residents stay away from malls, theaters and other crowded places to help prevent the virus from spreading.

Linda Kamrowski, Sierra Vista Regional Health Center’s marketing and public relations manager, is urging people with questions and concerns to contact the CDC hotline at (800) 232-4636.

While those with serious flu symptoms are urged to see a health care provider, people with mild flu symptoms are being asked to stay home and take care of themselves.