Swine Flu Update

posted: Friday, June 5, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Joanne Cocchiola
Mayor
Township of Nutley, Dept. of Public Affairs
149 Chestnut Street
Nutley, NJ 07110
US
Office #: (973) 284-4972
Fax #: (973) 661-9411
mayorcocchiola@nutleynj.org
Swine Flu Update

The New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services has provided the following information:

“Although we have seen a slowing of confirmed and probable cases in New Jersey, we all need to stay vigilant as we go through the summer months and prepare for the fall flu season,” said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard. “New Jersey residents should stay informed and continue to monitor their own health and the health of their families.”

“It is also a good time for families to review and update their family emergency plans. The Department will continue to update its website with valuable information to help all New Jersey residents stay apprised of the latest information regarding the H1N1 outbreak.”

Commissioner Howard continues to urge all New Jersey residents to take preventive measures to avoid getting sick. These include:

• Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Staying home from work or school if you are sick

H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that cause regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine influenza, but human infections can and do happen.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been associated with swine flu in people, especially in Mexico for reasons that are still not known. Like seasonal flu, swine flu might cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

For more information, visit the following websites;

http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
www.nj.gov/health.