Topeka ? Kansas officials issued new warnings Tuesday to individuals and families about swine flu as the state anticipates a wave of new cases arriving later this fall.

Gov. Mark Parkinson and top health and emergency preparedness officials said people should have enough food, water and other supplies to last from three to five days. Keeping their homes stocked could help residents who become ill stay at home as they recover. They also urged families to make plans for outbreaks closing schools or day care centers.

In recent years, state officials have used September’s designation as Emergency Preparedness Month to promote preparation for potential natural disasters such as tornadoes and winter storms. On Tuesday, they expanded their message to include tips about how residents should prepare in case they fall ill.

Parkinson and other officials displayed a pair of orange backpacks containing the type of emergency supply kits they hope Kansas families put together for natural disasters.

Public health officials believe that between 20 percent and 40 percent of the state’s population — from 560,000 people to 1.1 million Kansas residents — could become ill during the next two years.

“You need to be a classic, durable Kansan and be prepared to take care of your own business in your own home for three to five days,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the state adjutant general and its top emergency management official.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed swine flu cases in 53 of the state’s 105 counties since the first cases were reported in late April, but it has stopped counting individual cases. The department expects outbreaks to intensify as the normal fall-winter flu season continues.

State officials have said they expect vaccinations against H1N1, the virus commonly referred to as swine flu, to be available by mid-October.

Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, the state health director, said state officials aren’t sure whether a new wave of swine flu cases has started in Kansas. The department’s weekly reports on the disease showed cases tapering off in mid-August.

State officials already are publicizing commonsense steps people can take to help check the spread of the disease, such as frequent hand washing.

They’re also urging residents who have flulike symptoms to stay home — and to avoid seeing doctors or going to clinics and hospitals if their cases are mild and they don’t have chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart problems.

“If you are ill, you don’t want to have to want to go out into the community,” Eberhart-Phillips said. “You should have on hand what you need now to relieve your fever and look after yourself and your family.”