Members of the Kansas Pork Association on Wednesday provided free pork sandwiches on the southside of the Capitol to emphasize that the new strain of influenza — H1N1 — cannot be transmitted by food, and that eating pork is safe. Officials have confirmed seven cases of swine flu in Kansas.

Topeka ? Kansas now has nine confirmed cases of swine flu.

State health officials on Wednesday announced two more cases in Johnson County. Earlier in the day, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed two new cases in neighboring Wyandotte County.

Six of the nine confirmed cases are on the Kansas site of the Kansas City metropolitan area, three each in Johnson and Wyandotte counties.

KDHE also reports one probable case of swine flu in Johnson County. The agency is awaiting test results from the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

The sample was sent Friday. Health department spokeswoman Maggie Thompson said her agency may be able to test a sample using new test kits sent by the federal labs, which would expedite the confirmation process if necessary.

The health department did not provide additional details about the residents or how the contracted the virus. The agency said investigations and interviews are being conducted.

The new cases bring the number of confirmed cases in the Kansas City area to 12 — six in Kansas and six in Missouri. An additional six probable cases of swine flu in Missouri are in the Kansas City area.

Kansas also has two confirmed cases in Dickinson County.

Meanwhile, Gov. Mark Parkinson and legislators tried to reassure Kansans that pork is safe to eat by participating in an event outside the Statehouse at which the Kansas Pork Association provided free sandwiches for lunch.

Health officials have stated repeatedly that swine flu cannot be transmitted by eating or handling pork products and poses no threat to the nation’s food supply.

The strain of influenza is a mix of pig, human and bird viruses. The pork industry has argued against referring to the disease as swine flu, and the U.S. government and the World Health Organization have complied, calling it “H1N1.”

Prompted by the reporters present, Parkinson took a bit of a sandwich, declared it “awesome” and gave a thumbs-up sign.

At Wichita State University, concerns about the flu have led officials to alter graduation ceremonies. The Wichita Eagle reported Wednesday that new graduates won’t be receiving handshakes from the school’s president or deans at commencement ceremonies May 15 and 16.

Students will receive diplomas and have their pictures taken as they cross the stage, Provost Gary Miller said, but the most they can expect from administrators will be a smile and possibly a pat on the back.