Toms River - Swine Flu Information

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: August 21, 2009___
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES
HOSTS 2nd SERIES OF FLU SUMMITS

For the past two days, New Jersey health officials have convened to continue New
Jersey’s preparedness efforts in planning for H1N1 influenza. This past July, a summit was held
over two days addressing the essentials of New Jersey’s response to H1N1 influenza:
surveillance, community mitigation, vaccination planning and communications. These four key
areas have continued to be addressed during these past two days.

Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little stated, “The Ocean County Health Department has been represented at both summits. Our staff has learned and shared many best practices that they can incorporate into their H1N1 efforts. Yesterday’s summit was directed at Health Officers and how local health departments will deal with outbreaks, mass vaccination clinics in addition to their seasonal flu campaign. Ella Boyd, VMD, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator, attended this session. She stated, “Any information gathered to help with our H1N1 planning is essential. Many things discussed today address the goal of reducing illness and death in addition to minimizing social disruption.”

In addition, a session was held yesterday on epidemiology and disease surveillance.
Reporting methods and updates and guidelines on surveillance and testing were discussed.
Jen Crawford, Supervising Field Representative, Communicable Disease, stressed not
only the importance of working closely with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services Communicable Disease Division, but added that the OCHD has an excellent working
relationship with the school nurses throughout Ocean County. She said, “By communicating
with our local school nurses in the manner we have over the past several months, we have an
idea of what types of illness are being seen in their individual schools and can keep a close eye
on H1N1 influenza.”

There was much discussion on the H1N1 vaccine which is in the process of being
produced. It is expected to be in a two-dose vaccine, which presents challenges in tracking
people who received the first injection and also setting up a second series of flu clinics for H1N1.
Also, the flow from seasonal flu shots into the two-part series of the H1N1 vaccine was
discussed at length.

There was also discussion on the priority populations to be immunized during the first
wave of vaccine received. Priority populations are pregnant women, children from six months to
24 years, parents and caregivers of children under six months, healthcare workers and emergency
response workers, and adults under the age of 65 that have underlying medical conditions.
Today’s summit focused on communications, continuity of operations, and pandemic
influenza planning challenges.

There was discussion on community mitigation using the key messages that we have
been using all along: cover your cough, wash your hands with soap and water, stay home when
sick, etc. Public Information staff needs to get out the message why it is important to get
vaccinated, staying home when sick and using preventive hygiene measures. Consistent
messages being distributed during these times are extremely important. There was also much
discussion on barriers to educating the public and medical staff on H1N1 influenza and how
these barriers can be overcome.

Next Tuesday, August 25th, the New Jersey Department of Education will be holding a
summit regarding the H1N1 response and schools. Dr. Bruce Greenfield, Ocean County
Executive Superintendent, along with several other Ocean County Superintendents will be
attending in addition to health officials from the Ocean County Health Department. They will
also be working along with other counties as we prepare Ocean County’s H1N1 response for our
schools.

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OCEAN COUNTY CONFIRMS SECOND H1N1-RELATED DEATH (7/14/09)
The Ocean County Health Department was notified today that a person who had received a laboratory-confirmed result for the H1N1 virus last week, died on July 10th. The Brick Township resident had significant, underlying medical conditions.

There are three additional laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 in Ocean County bringing the county’s total to 47. Two adults, one from Berkeley and one from Manchester, and a young child from Lakewood, are all recovering at home.

“At this time, the majority of municipalities have been affected by at least one confirmed case of H1N1, stated Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Health Department. “The Health Department has increased its surveillance of influenza-likeillness and is working closely with area hospitals and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.”
Leslie Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department Public Information Officer, said that H1N1 is a new, or novel, virus and most people have no immunity to it. She said, “Although we keep sending out the following information over and over, we do know that these behaviors can protect us and our loved ones from becoming ill.
• Wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased
hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the
tissue or cough or sneeze in your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are ill.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Wipe common household/workplace surfaces with disinfectants whose labels report
virus-killing properties.
• Stay informed about the situation as it evolves from credible sources such as the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) , the New Jersey Department of
Health and Senior Services (www.state.nj.us/heatlh/er/h1n1) or the Ocean County Health
Department (www.ochd.org ).

Information packets on H1N1 have been sent to Ocean County summer camps. For more
information or packets, please call Leslie Terjesen at 732-341-9700, ext. 7224 or at
Lterjesen@ochd.org.

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ADDITIONAL CASES OF H1N1 REPORTED (7/8/09)
“Two more cases of laboratory confirmed H1N1 cases have been reported in Ocean
County; both are children, one in Jackson and one in Barnegat. This brings the total number of
confirmed cases in Ocean County to 42.
“At this time, the majority of municipalities have been affected by at least one confirmed
case of H1N1, stated Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County
Health Department. “The Health Department has increased its surveillance of influenza-likeillness
and is working closely with area hospitals and the New Jersey Department of Health and
Senior Services.”

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NUMBER OF H1N1 CASES CONTINUES TO RISE IN OCEAN COUNTY (7/6/09)
“Presently, there are 40 laboratory-confirmed cases of the novel H1N1 in Ocean County,”
said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “The
Communicable Disease staff at the Ocean County Health Department continues to closely
monitor influenza-like activity within Ocean County.”

Jen Crawford, Ocean County Health Department Supervising Field Representative-
Disease Control, pointed out that the confirmed cases are from Toms River (an adult and child),
Tuckerton (a young child); Jackson (an adult and child), and Lakewood (an adult). All 6 have
fully recovered or are recovering.

Leslie Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department Public Information Officer, said that
H1N1 is a new, or novel, virus and most people have no immunity to it. She said, “Although we
keep sending out the following information over and over, we do know that the following
behaviors can protect us and our loved ones from becoming ill:

• Wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased
hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the
tissue or cough or sneeze in your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are ill.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Wipe common household/workplace surfaces with disinfectants whose labels report
virus-killing properties.
• Stay informed about the situation as it evolves from credible sources such as the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) , the New Jersey Department of
Health and Senior Services (www.state.nj.us/heatlh/er/h1n1) or the Ocean County Health
Department (www.ochd.org ).

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OCEAN COUNTY CONFIRMS FIRST H1N1-RELATED DEATH (July 1, 2009)

The Ocean County Health Department today announced its first death of a county
resident, who was confirmed by the State Public Health Laboratory yesterday, with the novel
H1N1 virus. In addition, the young child had other underlying medical conditions.
The individual, a child from Jackson Township, was admitted to the hospital on June 25th
and died on June 27th.

Ella Boyd, VMD, Public Health Coordinator , said that residents of Ocean County need to
continue taking proper precautions to protect themselves and their families, including:
• Wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased
hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the
tissue or cough or sneeze in your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are ill.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Wipe common household/workplace surfaces with disinfectants whose labels report
virus-killing properties.
• Stay informed about the situation as it evolves from credible sources such as the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) , the New Jersey Department of
Health and Senior Services (www.state.nj.us/heatlh/er/h1n1) or the Ocean County Health
Department (www.ochd.org ).

Leslie Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department Public Information Officer, said, “If
you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, or
greater), body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should contact
your health care provider.”
At this time, most people who have become ill with novel H1N1 virus in the United
States have experienced typical flu symptoms and have recovered without complications.

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NUMBER OF H1N1 CASES RISE IN OCEAN COUNTY (June 26, 2009)

“Presently, there are 33 laboratory-confirmed cases of the novel H1N1 in Ocean County,”
said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “At this time, all
are recovering or completely recovered. The Communicable Disease staff at the Ocean County
Health Department continues to closely monitor influenza-like activity within Ocean County.”
Jen Crawford, Ocean County Health Department Supervising Field Representative-
Disease Control, pointed out that 10 of those affected are over the age of 18, 7 are adolescents
and 16 under the age of 13. Areas of Ocean County that have been affected are Barnegat,
Beachwood, Brick, Eagleswood, Jackson, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester,
Ocean, Plumsted, Stafford, Toms River and Tuckerton.

“The Health Department has sent out information to all of the camps in Ocean County
with pertinent information on what camp administrators and staff need to know about H1N1.
Health Department staff from the Communicable Disease Division is available to answer
questions for camps regarding staff and campers with influenza-like illness.” stated Leslie
Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department Public Information Officer.
Terjesen said that H1N1 is a new, or novel, virus and most people have no immunity to it.
She said, “Although we keep sending out the following information over and over, we do know
that these behaviors can protect us and our loved ones from becoming ill. This information was
also included in all the packets to our camps:
• Wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased
hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the
tissue or cough or sneeze in your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are ill.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Wipe common household/workplace surfaces with disinfectants whose labels report
virus-killing properties.
• Stay informed about the situation as it evolves from credible sources such as the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) , the New Jersey Department of
Health and Senior Services (www.state.nj.us/heatlh/er/h1n1) or the Ocean County Health
Department (www.ochd.org ).

------------------------------

Update: June 9, 2009
OCEAN COUNTY CONFIRMS TWO ADDITIONAL CASES
OF H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS

“Additional cases of the novel H1N1 influenza virus have been laboratory-confirmed in
two adults with underlying health conditions, one in Toms River and one in Brick,” said
Freeholder Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Health Department. “Both have been
discharged from the hospital and are recovering at home. To date, there have been 5 laboratoryconfirmed cases of H1N1 in Ocean County.”

“The Ocean County Health Department has received numerous calls regarding H1N1
from school nurses and the general population with concerns about this virus. We have had
reports that individuals have received a rapid diagnostic test at his or her doctor’s office and have
tested positive for influenza A. A rapid diagnostic test that yields influenza A infection could
mean that the person has H1N1 or has the seasonal flu, which is still circulating, or the patient
yielded a false-positive test. Health care professionals use the rapid influenza diagnostic tests to
help diagnose and manage the treatment of patients,” stated Ella Boyd, VMD, and Ocean County
Health Department Public Health Coordinator.

Influenza-like illness, which may be H1N1, seasonal flu or other viral illness will be seen
and diagnosed by physicians throughout Ocean County. Not all cases of H1N1 will be definitely
laboratory-confirmed by testing as there is no need to do so. Both seasonal flu and H1N1 are
treated the same. Leslie Terjesen, Health Department Public Information Officer says, “The
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) have reviewed the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for laboratory testing of H1N1. NJDHSS has
recommended that only people who are hospitalized with influenza-like symptoms or people
who are part of a cluster of individuals with influenza-like illness be tested for H1N1. A cluster
is defined as 2 or more individuals with symptom onset within 7 days of each other residing in
the same household or associated with the same institution/activity/event (i.e., work, school,
travel).”

H1N1 is a new, or novel, virus and most people have no immunity to it. We do know
how we can protect ourselves and loved ones by continuing to do the following:
• Wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbases
hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the
tissue or cough or sneeze in your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are ill.
• If you are sick, stay home from school or work.
• Stay informed about the situation as it evolves from credible sources such as the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services or the Ocean County Health Department.

Dr. Boyd also stated, “Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day
before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick and children may be
contagious for a longer period of time. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to
someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. If you become ill with
influenza-like symptoms, including fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, or greater), body aches, runny
nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should contact your health care provider.”

---------------------

Update: May 20, 2009
OCEAN COUNTY CONFIRMS NOVEL H1N1 INFLUENZA IN
TWO RESIDENTS

The Ocean County Health Department confirmed the first two cases of the Novel H1N1 virus in Ocean County. Both men, aged 23, of the Borough of Lakehurst, experienced mild flu symptoms, are fully recovered and back to work. Currently, in New Jersey, there are 22 confirmed cases of the Novel H1N1 Influenza.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services will post daily H1N1
influenza summaries on its website http://nj.gov/health/er/h1n1. Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Health Department, stated, “Our staff at the Ocean County Health Department has increased their surveillance of influenzalike symptoms throughout Ocean County. Knowing the mobility of our county residents and also the fact that many of our residents commute to areas where there have been confirmed cases, we are not surprised that the H1N1 influenza virus has appeared in Ocean County.

Fortunately, to date, the virus does not seem to cause illness that is more severe than seasonal flu and while there is no vaccine presently available, there are actions that we can take to help prevent the spread of influenza germs, including:
* Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
* Alcohol-based hand cleaners containing at least 60% ethyl alcohol are also effective.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the tissue or cough or sneeze in your sleeve.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
*Try to avoid contact with people who are ill.
*If you are sick, stay home from work or school.

Ella Boyd, VMD, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator, stated, “Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. Children may be contagious for a longer period of time, both before and after symptoms. If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, or greater), body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea,
vomiting or diarrhea, you should contact your health care provider immediately.”
Leslie Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department Public Information Officer, offers these steps to prevent the spread of flu in your home if you have an infected household member.

These include:
* Keep the person who is ill away from other people as much as possible.
* Remind the sick person to cover coughs and sneezes and wash their hands with soap and water often.
*Have everyone in household wash hands often.
* Ask your health care provider about antiviral medications for household contacts of the sick person, particularly those contacts that may have chronic health conditions.
* Flu virus on surfaces can be killed by using household disinfectants.
Information on the H1N1 virus is available on the Ocean County website at
www.ochd.org or at http://nj.gov/health/er/h1n1.