Children diagnosed with new swine fluHEALTH & MEDICINE

ATLANTA -- Health officials alerted doctors Tuesday to a unique type of swine flu diagnosed in two California children, but it's unclear whether many people will be susceptible to the infection.

The children were diagnosed last week. One was a 10-year-old boy in San Diego County. The other was a 9-year-old girl in neighboring Imperial County. Both recovered.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the new flu contains a unique combination of gene segments not seen in swine or human flu viruses before. CDC officials said the public doesn't need to take unusual measures against it, however.

Health officials have long feared the emergence of a deadly form of flu but have not noted a spike in flu cases or a rash of severe illnesses.

They are continuing to investigate the genetics of the virus and track down and test people in contact with the children.

Both children became sick in late March and experienced fever and cough. The boy also vomited. The two had not been in contact with each other.

The boy's mother and brother also had a flu-like illness recently, as did a brother and a cousin of the girl. None of those relatives were tested for flu at the time of their illness.

The boy and his 8-year-old brother flew from California to Dallas in early April and are with relatives in Texas.

Health officials are trying to contact the plane's crew and two children who sat near the boys.