Rumored cases of swine flu are travelling seemingly faster than the actual cases themselves, and health officials said it's hard for residents to separate fact from fiction.

They've been calling the health department's Dona Ana office in Las Cruces saying they heard an officer or deputy had confirmed there was a case of swine flu here in the county.

The Health Department said while several agencies are working together, only one agency can in fact confirm whether swine flu exists in the state and in the county. That agency is the state health department.

Nearly 30 samples are being tested in New Mexico, and only two probable cases are being sent to the Center for Disease Control’s lab for confirmatory testing.

As far as rumors go, the Health Department said if you hear about a case, make sure the information is backed by the health department or the CDC.

“If they are hearing it from other agencies or other folks or if they are getting a text message or an email forward and they are hearing hearsay about swine flu cases in New Mexico, unless it comes from the New Mexico Department of Health that's not a confirmed case,” said Chris Minnick, spokesman for the Department of Health.

Minnick said the department will notify the public the minute it knows about confirmed cases in New Mexico.

Dona Ana county officials, including law enforcement said no one employed by the county will answer questions about swine flu at all. Instead their policy is to direct all questions about swine flu to the health department so there's no confusion.

The state has set up a swine flu hotline to answer all the questions residents may have.

The English swine flu number is 866-850-5893, the Spanish speaking swine flu line is 800-784-0394 and those who have flu-like symptoms can call the state’s nurse advice line at 877-725-2552.