Department of Health and Senior Services Continues to Monitor State for Swine Cases

As of today, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has no new updates on cases of swine flu in New Jersey.

Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard and Department officials continued outreach to health care providers and county and local health departments on the evolving swine flu outbreak in the U.S. and Mexico. As of this afternoon, the CDC has confirmed 64 cases in the U.S. in five states – New York (45), Ohio (1), Kansas (2), Texas (6), and California (10).

The Department also distributed a statewide situational update to all of its partners.

The Department is awaiting test results from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On Monday, the Department identified five probably cases of swine flu. All five individuals have mild forms of the flu and are recovering at home. None were hospitalized. Four of the five probable cases had traveled recently to Mexico and fifth had traveled to California. The patients include residents from various counties throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey continues to take steps to prepare if the outbreak widens. The Department increased its surveillance system to identify potential cases of swine fly, particularly in individuals who have travelled to infected areas in California and Mexico or have had contact with those who have travelled.

“We cannot emphasize enough that there are effective methods of prevention that everyone should continue to follow,” said Commissioner Howard. “Good hygiene habits such as washing your hands frequently and thoroughly will greatly reduce the chance of getting sick. Also, people should be covering coughs and sneezes. Most important, if you are sick, stay home from work or school.”

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, 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 associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may causes worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

For more information on swine flu, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.nj.gov/health.