Union County Office of Health Management
Monitoring Swine Flu
Elizabeth –The Union County Office of Health Management is
closely monitoring the outbreak of swine flu that began in Mexico and now
includes several U.S. states (NY, CA, TX, KS,OH). The Office of Health
Management is urging healthcare providers, schools and others to watch
for cases of swine influenza. There are no confirmed cases of swine flu
in New Jersey at this time.
In the United Sates, illness has been relatively mild so far compared
to the severe illness reported in Mexico. New Jersey residents should
stay informed as well as take precautions to prevent from getting ill.
The CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading
from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how
easily the virus spreads between people. The symptoms of swine flu are
similar to seasonal flu and include fever, lack of appetite, coughing and
fatigue. Some people have also reported having a sore throat,
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Residents can take the following actions to protect themselves from
the respiratory illness and avoid spreading it to others:
Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and dispose of the tissue properly.
Frequently wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick.
Contact your family physician if you feel ill. That's particularly important for anyone who recently visited Mexico and has flu-like symptoms.
The Union County Office of Health Management is in regular contact
with local hospitals, health departments and schools and is monitoring
the county for potential cases. UCOHM has mobilized its epidemiology and
disaster preparedness staff.
