AUGUSTA – Just one day after anti-viral drugs and protective equipment arrived in Maine from the nation’s stockpile and was distributed to the state’s nine regional medical centers, officials with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a seventh case of Swine Flu in York County.

Sunday’s confirmation brought the number of cases of the H1N1 influenza in the state’s southernmost county to four – including three adults and one youth. Additionally, two adults in Kennebec County and one youth in Penobscot County have also contracted the potentially deadly virus.

Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine CDC, said in a news release Sunday afternoon that none of the seven people have been hospitalized and all are currently recovering.

“We are continuing to examine the specific facts around these cases,” Mills said. “Our goal remains to slow the spread of H1N1 influenza and to protect public health.”

According to its news release, some cases of H1N1 have been called “confirmed” or “probable,” which means that tests performed by the Maine CDC confirm that an individual has H1N1. But those cases are then sent to the U.S. CDC for final confirmation.

The state received 50,000 treatment courses of the anti-viral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu on Saturday. The treatments are intended to treat only individuals considered seriously ill and who are hospitalized.

There is currently no vaccine for the H1N1 influenza, but the U.S. CDC reports that one is being produced and could be available as early as this fall. The anti-viral drugs do not create immunity or cure the disease, but do slow the spread of the disease and lessen symptoms.

Mills reminded the public to stay informed and prepared, but most importantly, to practice proper respiratory hygiene.