MAY 19, 2009
FROM: NORTHWEST BERGEN REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION
H1N1 UPDATE
The numbers of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu will continue to increase
as more lab testing is done and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) catches up with the backlog of testing on some milder cases. Currently
there are no cases in Bergen County. The New Jersey Department and Health
and Senior Services will continue its statewide surveillance of flu activity.
According to the CDC, most new cases of H1N1 flu in the United States
are now being caused by person to person transmission and not related to
Mexico. The CDC has downgraded its Travel Health Warning regarding travel
to Mexico to a Travel Health Precaution. For further information on this,
go to www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu .
You cannot catch H1N1 flu from eating or handling pork or pork products.
It is thought that H1N1flu spreads in the same way as seasonal flu which
is through coughs and sneezes of people who are ill with the virus. Some
important differences from the seasonal flu are that about 25% of cases
of H1N1 flu are experiencing vomiting and diarrhea and most cases are occurring
in younger people between the ages of 5 and 24 years instead of the very
young and elderly. To date, most cases of H1N1 in the United States have
been mild.
Call your health provider if you have symptoms of the flu such as:
- Fever greater than 100°F
- Cough
- Severe sore throat
- Headache and/or body aches
- Lack of appetite
- Fatigue
There are steps you can take now to decrease your chances of catching
the flu:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often (at least six times a day) with
soap and water
- Avoid touching you 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.
To stay informed, visit the following websites for reliable and trustworthy
information.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/index.htm
www.nj.gov/Health
