Local hospitals and health agencies began gearing up for the possibility that a swine flu outbreak could become pandemic.

There were no confirmed cases of swine flu in Indiana on Monday, and state health officials continued to monitor the situation.

Officials with the Indiana State Department of Health awaited test results from two suspected swine flu samples sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week.

"This is a very fluid, very dynamic situation," said Daniel Netluch, director of emergency services at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point.

"What we're doing right now is screening," Netluch said. "We're looking for patients with fever, a cough, a recent exposure that may have been in Mexico."

Patients who meet that criteria will be tested, Netluch said.

Nationwide, at least 40 cases of swine flu have been confirmed, and the administration of President Barack Obama said it was responding aggressively as if the outbreak would spread into a full pandemic.

Officials urged Americans against most travel to Mexico as the virus that began there has spread to the United States and beyond.

Local officials said they're keeping close watch.

"What we're doing is we are monitoring the situation carefully," said Gene Diamond, regional CEO of Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc., which includes St. Anthony hospitals in Crown Point and Michigan City and St. Margaret Mercy hospitals in Dyer and Hammond.

"We will be taking our lead from the CDC," Diamond said.

Hospitals in the Community Healthcare System are working with the state to identify patients who may be positive for swine flu, spokeswoman Mylinda Cane said.

A few patients have requested testing for swine flu at emergency rooms in the hospital system, which includes Community in Munster, St. Catherine in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Cane said.

"At this point we've see only a few cases of the flu and have no confirmed cases of swine influenza," she said.

The Methodist Hospitals system in Gary and Merrillville is following the development of the outbreak and getting frequent updates from the CDC and the state health department, spokeswoman Evelyn Morrison said.

"Leadership and all employees are receiving information on the facts as they are currently known to allow for prompt and safe handling of any suspect cases that may present to either campus," Morrison said.

The Porter County Health Department reminded residents to follow good hygiene to help prevent spread of the disease, including frequent hand washing and coughing or sneezing into a tissue.

"Remember if you or your children are ill, stay home," the department said in a prepared release. "This will keep illnesses or disease from spreading at work or school."

Because the swine flu strain is a new one, there is no vaccine, the health department said.

The Porter hospital system in Porter County was reinforcing flu precautions Monday with its medical team, spokeswoman Kelly Credit said.

"Our hospitals, like others in the country, have processes in place to address infectious conditions," Credit said.

The Red Cross of Northwest Indiana was preparing for the potential impact on its operation, CEO Gordon Johnson said.

"We have a plan, and we're reviewing that plan," Johnson said. "We're beginning to collaborate with external organizations and other Red Cross chapters."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.