Swine flu made it to the list of local emergency situations being declared by Kings County decision-makers this week.

The County Board of Supervisors is scheduled on Tuesday to officially declare a local emergency because of the threat of an epidemic of H1N1 Influenza A, commonly known as swine flu.

Although Kings County has yet to see any suspected case, two probable cases have been reported in Tulare County, raising the level of alert for local public health officials.

And it is considered only a matter of time that the virus makes its way to Kings County.

The county's action will have come five days after the World Health Organization heightened the level of the public health alert and said swine flu is now a genuine risk of a global pandemic.

The board will also consider:

-- adopting a resolution recognizing May 2009 as "National Bike Month" and the week of May 11-15 as "Ride Your Bike to Work Week" in Kings County.

-- adopting a resolution proclaiming May as "Water Awareness Month."

-- adopting a resolution proclaiming May as "Foster Care Awareness month."

The Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Board Chambers, 1400 Lacey Blvd., Hanford.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(May 4, 2009)