A local health department reported Tuesday that the area's swine flu cases are declining, but said the pandemic is far from over.

Officials at the Belmont County Health Department said they have boxes of the H1N1 vaccines still available. But they said they're concerned that many people will want or need the vaccines later, and by then the vaccines may be expired.

Rob Sproul of the health department said unseasonably warm weather may be the reason swine flu cases are down and the severity of the cases has been mild. However, he said that might change after the weather turns colder and during the holiday season.

"We are going to have a problem Thanksgiving. People are going to be traveling, being in confined areas, and the temperature is starting to drop so we're going to be inside more than outside, so there is a chance of things spreading," Sproul said.

He said the Belmont County Health Department is continuing to offer swine flu clinics for school-aged children in the area. Its next vaccination clinic will be held next week at Shadyside High School.

For more information, visit our special H1N1 question-and-answer section.