SPRINGFIELD - As H1N1 flu spread into central and far-northern Illinois, face masks and hand sanitizer became hot sellers and the state's top doctor assured the public that flu medicine is readily available statewide. | Latest numbers | National update | Mass modified

State health officials announced Saturday that Sangamon and Winnebago counties each has a probable case of the new flu strain, the first Illinois counties affected outside the Chicago metropolitan area. More than half the state's cases are in Chicago and Cook County suburbs.

Sangamon County, in central Illinois, includes the state's capital, Springfield. Winnebago County is in northern Illinois and includes Rockford.

"We anticipated seeing cases of the H1N1 flu virus across Illinois and we expect to see more," said Dr. Damon Arnold in a statement Saturday. "However, there is no need to be alarmed."

Arnold, who heads the Illinois Department of Public Health, said antiviral medications have been distributed to hospitals and health departments. The state has enough flu drugs on hand to treat more than 1 million people. The pills cut the duration of illness by about one day, compared with no treatment, but they work only if started within 48 hours of the first symptoms.

The IDPH said the state now has three confirmed and 85 probable cases of the new flu strain. The cases include a 4-year-old child from Skokie and a 53-year-old man who was admitted in stable condition to Stroger Hospital in Chicago with pneumonia.

As Illinois health officials encourage a less aggressive stance on testing, the state's tally of H1N1 flu cases will begin to show just the most serious cases. The state on Friday recommended testing only hospitalized patients with severe symptoms. The recommendation is aimed at using resources more cautiously and easing a backlog of test specimens.

In central Illinois, some jails began restricting visitors and screening newly booked inmates for flu symptoms. In Peoria, a medical supplier created a $32 H1N1 flu kit - 50 face masks, 100 vinyl gloves and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

"We've sold thousands of masks and gloves," said Heather Monroe of Family Medical Equipment & Supply. "I think some businesses are going through their safety procedures…. We just put the items together that they were looking for."

In Kane County, health officials said new probable cases of H1N1 flu there include a student at Larkin High School in Elgin, and that the school will close through May 7.

Kane County has 11 probable H1N1 flu cases, including three new cases announced Saturday. The new cases are a 15-year-old and a 22-year-old, both of Elgin, and an 18-month-old who lives in Aurora.

Health Department Executive Director Paul Kuehnert said the goal of the school closure is to protect Larkin High School students, teachers and staff from getting sick.

Health officials encouraged students to avoid congregating while their school is closed.

The U.S. Education Department said Friday that more than 430 schools had closed because of H1N1 flu, affecting about 245,000 children in 18 states.

On the Net:

http://www.Ready.Illinois.gov