Topeka ? Kansas officials planning for the next wave of swine flu urged residents on Monday to take a common-sense approach to battling the virus: Wash your hands frequently, stay home if you’re sick and get flu shots.

Emergency management, health officials and other leaders from across the state were meeting in Topeka for a daylong flu summit, preparing for a possible outbreak that could put a strain on government.

“The assumption is that we are going to be in this ourselves,” Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, state adjutant general and head of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management said. “We have a team, and this is not new to us.”

Bunting said a worst-case scenario would mean some state services, such as inspections or license renewals, would have to be temporarily suspended while agencies deal with an outbreak.

The H1N1 virus has been confirmed in 50 of 105 Kansas counties, including one death.

“We have no idea who bad the H1N1 virus will be this fall,” Gov. Mark Parkinson said.

Worldwide, the virus has killed 1,400 people since being discovered earlier this year. Some health officials estimate up to 40 percent of the world’s population could catch the virus within the next two years.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke by telephone during the opening of the summit, telling the 300 people gathered that the key is getting the message out to schools and employers about the potential of the virus. She said those infected should stay home and not feel pressured to go to school or work.

“We think this is an all-hands-on-deck moment,” Sebelius said. “This clearly is a young virus.”

At Kansas University, the number of swine flu cases tripled over the weekend.

According to KU spokesman Todd Cohen, 47 of KU’s 27,000 students were presenting swine flu symptoms Monday.

KU officials are asking anyone who may have flu symptoms to stay home until their temperature is at a normal level for at least 24 hours. Students living in residence halls who may fall ill are asked to stay in and around their rooms and away from other students until the symptoms have disappeared.

Speaking from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Sebelius said a vaccine was being developed by five manufacturers and should be available in October. Earlier Monday, Sebelius and Education Secretary Arne Duncan said schools should consider alternative methods for educating sick students, including putting assignments online or on DVD, or printing out homework packets.

State health director Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips said it would take “many months” to vaccinate the 2.8 million Kansans, starting with pregnant women, children and critical health care workers. He also said good hygiene and keeping infected Kansans isolated will help contain the spread of the virus.

“Until we have a vaccine, that’s really our best approach,” Eberhart-Phillips said. “Parents should keep their kids home if they are sick.”

Of particular concern is Fort Riley and the surrounding area, which has seen the state’s largest outbreak of swine flu to date and a relatively high proportion of in children and young adults, said Dr. Paul Benne, chief of preventive medicine there. Also, Benne noted, pregnancies are more common on post than in other Kansas communities, and pregnant women are listed as a target group for swine flu vaccinations.

“The average age for this area of Kansas is much younger than any other community,” he said, pointing out that the post also is close to Kansas State University. “This particular virus means a lot to Fort Riley and our area.”

Eberhart-Phillips and Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger sent a letter Monday to 164 insurance companies asking them to provide resources and information to policyholders about the H1N1 vaccination.

The letter asks that companies review programs and policies to address coverage for the vaccine and other flu drugs.