EL PASO, Texas -- Responding to rumors that a Las Cruces child had died from swine flu, Doña Ana County Manager Brian Haines issued a statement late Wednesday.

Haines wrote, "... we have zero evidence or test results that would lead us to speculate that this tragedy is part of the media-fed frenzy surrounding this unfolding world health story."

Haines said there are no confirmed cases in Doña Ana County, or in the entire state of New Mexico. A medical examination of the unidentified child had been ordered to determine the cause of death.

Haines wrote, "The death of a child is a tragedy in itself. To compound it through viral speculation or community panic would only make a sad situation even worse for our community.”

To see Brian Haines' complete statement, click here.