Gov. David Paterson announced Wednesday that there is a probable case of swine flu in Orange County.
The governor also said in addition to the probable Orange County case, there is a possible case in Suffolk County on Long Island and a possible case in Cortland County. Although they are not confirmed, the governor said the state government is assuming there will be cases outside of New York City.
Health Commissioner Richard Daines says the cases in Suffolk, Orange and Cortland counties are believed to be caused by the same virus that has proved deadly in Mexico and is spreading illness worldwide. But that won't be confirmed until federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tests are complete.
In the meantime, as many as 70 workers and residents at a long-term care facility in Orange County will be treated with the anti-viral agent Tamiflu because one of the suspected cases involves a health care worker there.
The CDC says 51 cases have been confirmed in New York, most at St. Francis Prep School in New York City.
A 23-month-old toddler in Texas has been confirmed as the first swine flu death in the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says there are currently 91 confirmed cases in the United States.
Associated Press wire reports contributed to this story.