At this time, 109 cases of swine flu (now being called H1N1) in the United States have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Bergen County patient is being followed by a physician and is receiving appropriate treatment. This is the same swine flu that has been determined to have caused the ongoing outbreak in Mexico.
At the present there are 5 confirmed cases in New Jersey (NJ), including one in Bergen County. NJ continues to step up its statewide surveillance of influenza activity.
The cases of H1N1 in the United States to date have generally been mild.
There has been one death in the United States, a 23 month old in Texas, attributed to the swine (H1N1) flu.
The NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) is in contact with, and closely working, with the CDC and local health departments
Bergen County Department of Health Services has increased its influenza surveillance activity and is in communication with the area hospitals, local municipalities, other health departments and the NJDHSS.
The C.D.C. has advised Americans to avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico.
You can not catch H1N1 from eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.
There are steps you can take now to decrease your chances of catching the flu:
Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.
Avoid touching your face, nose and eyes.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues and dispose of them properly.
Cough into your sleeve, if a tissue is not available, not into your hands or the air.
Stay home if you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of the flu such as:
Fever greater than 100 degrees F.
Lack of appetite.
Cough.
Fatigue.
Headache and/or body aches.
Sore throat.
And sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Take this opportunity to review and update your family emergency plans
Updates are also available on the Bergen County Health and Information Line at 201-225-7000. For further information or questions call the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services Call Center at 1-866-321-9571.
