May 1, 2009 11:49 pm US/Eastern
N.J. Health Officials Confirm Swine Flu Cases
Burlington County Family Releases Statement
N.J. Swine Flu Hotline: 866-321-9571
TRENTON (CBS3/AP) ―
-
-
Mark Ralston/Getty Images
New Jersey health officials have confirmed two more cases of swine flu in New Jersey and an additional probable case.
So far, seven people in New Jersey have been determined to have the virus. Tests on an eighth person have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services says all seven confirmed cases are mild forms of the flu and no one has been hospitalized.
In at least five of the seven confirmed cases, people traveled to California or Mexico.
Three were members of a family from Mt. Laurel, Burlington County -- a 47-year-old man, a 10-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy -- who recently traveled together to Mexico.
The family released the following statement Friday morning:
"We wanted to let the public know that my family and I are doing fine and we have all recovered. We want to stress to the public that our illness was very mild. The actual symptoms were fever of 99 to 101 degrees, dry cough, and slight body aches that lasted about 3 days, much milder than flu symptoms we have had in the past. We have been in constant contact with the health department and have been out of public places since we have been ill. We are releasing this statement to ease the fears people have of contracting this flu. My wife has spent every day with us since we became sick and did not contract the flu. Everyone should follow the Health Department recommendations, but try not to panic; it's only a mild flu virus."
"We are glad that all of the cases have recovered. The family has been very cooperative and has followed all of our public health directives," said Robert Gogats, Health Officer for Burlington County.
Another confirmed was a 22-year-old woman who had contact with the Mt. Laurel family.
The other confirmed cases involve unrelated adults, a 43-year-old Monmouth County woman and a 22-year-old woman from Bergen County, one of whom recently traveled to Mexico, the other to California.
Mexico is considered the epicenter of the swine flu outbreak, with more than 150 confirmed or suspected deaths and thousands of people showing symptoms.
The state has launched a stepped-up monitoring program involving doctors and hospitals.
Schools and day care centers also have been asked to be watchful for children with influenza-like symptoms and report them to their local health departments.
New Jersey has stockpiled some 1.1 million doses of Tamiflu and other antiviral medications.
"It's time to be cautious, but not alarmed," said Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who briefed Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about New Jersey's situation on Thursday. "This is a mild strain. It doesn't mean that it can't change. But we feel we're on a good track."
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, lack of appetite, coughing and fatigue.
The U.S. cases have appeared to be much milder than the Mexican cases, although federal officials on Tuesday said they expected to see U.S. deaths from the virus.
The New Jersey Health Department set up a toll free hotline to address questions and concerns. The number is:
866-321-9571.
More Information Online...
*
CDC Swine Flu Facts Sheet
*
CDC Emergency Updates Via Twitter
*
Swine Flu Twitter Live Search Results
*
David Burnia's Swine Flu Watch On Twitter
*
Google Map Of Suspected, Confirmed Cases
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Openly Gay Celebrities
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments