BERNARDS TOWNSHIP HEALTH DEPARTMENT              

262 South Finley Avenue Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920 (908) 204-3070 Fax (908) 204-3075

 

Contact: Lucy A. Forgione, MA, CHES

Health Officer / Health Director

(908) 204-3067

e-mail: lforgione@bernards.org

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 May 2, 2009

 

                       Bernards Township Resident Recovered from

A (H1N1) Influenza

 

BERNARDS TOWNSHIP (May 2, 2009)

 

On Friday, May 1st, the Bernards Township Health Department received notification from the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services confirming one case of H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Type A in a Bernards Township resident. The illness began on Saturday, April 25, 2009  upon returning home from vacation to the Midwest with a connecting flight from Houston, Texas. Flu like symptoms fever, sore throat, headache and vomiting began later that evening. This individual was tested by a local physician and confined at home for the duration of the illness. No other family member became ill with influenza type symptoms or the A H1N1 Influenza. This individual received medical clearance to resume normal activities. “  We are glad that this resident has recovered with no exposure to others. The family was very cooperative and followed all public health directives,” said Lucy Forgione, Health Officer for Bernards Township.

 

The Bernards Township Health Department continues to work closely with the county and state health departments and the Center for Disease Control to monitor the current A (H1N1) Influenza. 

 

 The Health Department encourages all residents to follow these recommendations :

 

Practice Social Distancing

Decrease contact between the healthy and the ill:

  • Avoid Handshakes.
  • Avoid the Lunchroom rush, eat early or late.
  • Substitute telephone or email for face-to-face meetings.
  • Use larger conference rooms to have more room to spread out.
  • Avoid using others’ pens and pencils.
  • Use a pencil or tissue when using common keyboards, touch pads or phones.
  • Shift work hours when possible to avoid commuter rush hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Influenza Precautions:

  • Cover coughs and sneezes in your elbow, not with your hands.
  • If you cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
  • Alcohol cleaners and hand sanitizers are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  • Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly for at least 20 seconds after each contact with the ill person.

 

 

Residents with questions about the A (H1N1) Influenza may call the State of New Jersey 24 hotline, at 1-866-321-9571. 

 

Further information is available at:

Bernards Township Health Department  (908) 204-2520

www.bernardshealth.org/flu

 

New Jersey State Health Department

www.state.nj.us/health

 

Center for Disease Control

www.cdc.gov  (information available in English/Spanish)

 

 

The Bernards Township Health Department is a Contractual Health Agency for Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Chester Borough, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Long Hill Township and Peapack & Gladstone Borough

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