Tweet
Swine flu claims second Jerseyan, a Somerset County boy, 15
WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 2009 16:22
State has 367 confirmed cases and 236 pending
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
A second New Jerseyan has died of symptoms related to swine flu, the state Department of Health and Senior Services announced Wednesday.
The individual is identified only as a 15-year-old Somerset County boy who died at home on June 8 after developing symptoms that included fever, vomiting, coughing and congestion. The state health lab confirmed the boy had H1N1 (swine flu) influenza.
Officials declined to identify the boy or provide his hometown or school.
A 49-year-old Essex County man who died on June 13 was considered the state's first swine flu victim but the teenager died five days earlier.
The boy was last in school on June 5 and had no symptoms. Local health officials have been monitoring for influenza-like illness in the school but as recently as today, Wednesday, have found nothing unusual.
Because the boy died at home, an autopsy was required. The state Medical Examiner's office is looking for possible contributing factors, officials said.
"This death is tragic,'' said Health Commissioner Heather Howard. "I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the young man's family and friends. Influenza is a serious illness that can unfortunately lead to death. We continue to monitor this novel H1N1 influenza to watch for any change. We urge New Jersey residents to remain vigilant and take proper precautions to protect themselves and their families.''
To date, New Jersey has 367 confirmed swine flu cases in 19 counties. There are also 236 probable cases pending confirmation by the health lab.
Nationally, there have been 44 deaths and 17,855 confirmed and probable cases in the 50 states. At least 74 countries have confirmed cases.
As of Tuesday, Passaic County had the highest number of cases, 42, followed by Essex, 40, Hudson, 35, Monmouth, 32, Morris, 29, Bergen, 29, Middlesex, 29, Mercer, 22, Somerset, 18, Union, 18, Burlington, 18, Camden, 15, Warren, 13, Ocean, 10, Sussex, 5, Hunterdon, 3, Atlantic, 3, Cumberland, 3 and Gloucester, 3. No cases have been reported in Cape May and Salem.
"The department will continue to monitor the H1N1 outbreak,'' Howard said. "We have also posted guidance for summer residential camps to help decrease the spread of H1N1 influenza and other infectious diseases.''
Howard continues to urge people to take preventive measures, including washing hands frequently and thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home from work and school when sick.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular flu and include, fever, cough, soar throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
( WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 2009 16:33 )
WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 2009 16:22
State has 367 confirmed cases and 236 pending
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
A second New Jerseyan has died of symptoms related to swine flu, the state Department of Health and Senior Services announced Wednesday.
The individual is identified only as a 15-year-old Somerset County boy who died at home on June 8 after developing symptoms that included fever, vomiting, coughing and congestion. The state health lab confirmed the boy had H1N1 (swine flu) influenza.
Officials declined to identify the boy or provide his hometown or school.
A 49-year-old Essex County man who died on June 13 was considered the state's first swine flu victim but the teenager died five days earlier.
The boy was last in school on June 5 and had no symptoms. Local health officials have been monitoring for influenza-like illness in the school but as recently as today, Wednesday, have found nothing unusual.
Because the boy died at home, an autopsy was required. The state Medical Examiner's office is looking for possible contributing factors, officials said.
"This death is tragic,'' said Health Commissioner Heather Howard. "I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the young man's family and friends. Influenza is a serious illness that can unfortunately lead to death. We continue to monitor this novel H1N1 influenza to watch for any change. We urge New Jersey residents to remain vigilant and take proper precautions to protect themselves and their families.''
To date, New Jersey has 367 confirmed swine flu cases in 19 counties. There are also 236 probable cases pending confirmation by the health lab.
Nationally, there have been 44 deaths and 17,855 confirmed and probable cases in the 50 states. At least 74 countries have confirmed cases.
As of Tuesday, Passaic County had the highest number of cases, 42, followed by Essex, 40, Hudson, 35, Monmouth, 32, Morris, 29, Bergen, 29, Middlesex, 29, Mercer, 22, Somerset, 18, Union, 18, Burlington, 18, Camden, 15, Warren, 13, Ocean, 10, Sussex, 5, Hunterdon, 3, Atlantic, 3, Cumberland, 3 and Gloucester, 3. No cases have been reported in Cape May and Salem.
"The department will continue to monitor the H1N1 outbreak,'' Howard said. "We have also posted guidance for summer residential camps to help decrease the spread of H1N1 influenza and other infectious diseases.''
Howard continues to urge people to take preventive measures, including washing hands frequently and thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home from work and school when sick.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular flu and include, fever, cough, soar throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
( WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 2009 16:33 )
Comment