California has "rigorous" flu plan: Schwarzenegger

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California has made a "rigorous and thorough" response to a new strain of flu that has killed up to 60 people in Mexico and infected eight in the United States, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Friday.

California, home to six of the U.S. cases, was coordinating with federal and international health experts on its plan, which includes surveillance of patients with flu-like illness, Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

Other steps the state has taken include requesting extra flu experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and expanding lab testing and veterinary activities, he said.

California has also activated its Joint Emergency Operations Center with the Department of Public Health and been in communication with officials in Mexico.

The governor advised Californians to take "common-sense" steps to avoid contracting the flu, including covering the nose and mouth when sneezing, washing hands with soap and water often and avoiding close contact with others.

Four of Mexico's suspected cases have been reported in Mexicali, which shares a border with California.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb[ Editing by John O'Callaghan)