Mississippi still doesn’t have any cases of swine flu, but public health officials say they’ll soon be able to detect the virus without sending specimens to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Mary Currier said the state will have the ability to confirm any cases by next week after receiving the reagents needed for the tests.

Currier, during Thursday’s briefing, said once a case is confirmed, the person with swine flu will be asked to stay home to avoid transmitting it to others. Anyone else who lives in the home will be asked to take precautions.

She said health officials won’t ask others to quit going to work unless there’s an indication they also were getting sick.