MIDDLESEX COUNTY—Three cases of H1N1 flu have been confirmed in Middlesex County, according to the Middlesex County Public Health Department.
Two of the cases, one from Highland Park and one from Edison, are from an influenza cluster in students from a private parochial school in Piscataway. A cluster is defined as two or more individuals with symptom onset within seven days of each other who have common exposure, i.e. school.
The private school has been closed since Friday, May 22, and will remain closed until Monday, June 1. County health officer David A. Papi said, “We have been working closely with the school, local physicians, parents, and all local health departments in the county, particularly Piscataway and Edison health departments.”
A third confirmed case involves an adult male from North Brunswick and is not related to the cases from the Piscataway school, officials said.
Papi added, “We will continue to provide residents with information about this situation and advise them of any steps necessary to protect their health. What is important for parents and residents to do now is:
• Know the symptoms of flu
• Report illness to your school nurse
• Call your doctor if you have symptoms of the flu
• Practice respiratory hygiene practices”
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal flu and include fever, lack of appetite, muscle aches, chills, coughing and fatigue. Some people have also reported having a sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Papi said, “Our department continues surveillance of influenza activity in an effort to identify cases of H1N1 flu in the community.” At this time residents are being encouraged to follow recommended respiratory hygiene practices
Respiratory hygiene practices include:
• Covering coughs and sneezes with tissues and disposing of tissues properly, or by coughing and sneezing into you upper sleeve.
• Washing your hands with soap and water often.
• Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• Staying home if you are sick.
• Contacting your doctor if you have symptoms of the flu.
Other healthy habits residents can do to help prevent the getting the flu include: eating a well balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting rest.
The Public Health Department’s Division of Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness, and the Nursing Division are continuing to work with county hospitals, healthcare providers, local and state health departments, schools, childcare centers and other departments and agencies to ensure quick identification of influenza cases in Middlesex County.
Papi recommends that schools and childcare settings increase education on respiratory hygiene and monitor attendees for acute febrile respiratory illness. School or childcare participants with acute febrile respiratory illness should be sent home according to facilities-established procedures with instructions to stay at home until 24-48 hours after their symptoms resolve, or for seven days if they are diagnosed with influenza.
H1N1 flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur. You cannot get swine flu from eating properly handled and properly cooked pork or pork products.
Information can be obtained by visiting the Middlesex County Public Health Department web site at http://co.middlesex.nj.us/publichealth/. The site contains facts sheets, phone numbers, websites, guidance documents, links to podcasts, mental health services, and resources for schools.
