PHOENIX -- Some Arizona lawmakers are calling for federal officials to close the U.S.-Mexico border -- or at least consider it as an option -- to prevent the spread of swine flu.

• Watch: Rep. Franks: Close Border
• Special Section: Swine Flu

A spokesman for Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., said Wednesday night that Franks believes the border should be closed right now except in critical cases or situations involving emergency personnel.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said all options should be considered to end the crisis involving swine flu, “including closing the border if it would prevent further transmission of the deadly virus.”

In a twitter message early Wednesday, McCain wrote “I said to Napolitano, ‘We need to be prepared to close the border with Mexico if the swine flu outbreak escalates further.’”

McCain was referring to Homeland Security Secretary and former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday. McCain sits on that committee.

At that hearing, Napolitano was asked about the possibility of closing the border.

“Making such a closure right now has not been merited by the facts,” Napolitano said, “and would have very little marginal benefit in terms of containing the actual outbreak of virus within our own country.”

At a news conference Wednesday night, President Barack Obama echoed Napolitano’s sentiments, stating that his advisers did not believe it was a good idea.

“At this point, they have not recommended a border closing,” Obama said. “From that perspective, it would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out, because we already have cases here in the United States.”