cHeroKee
07-15-2009, 07:42 PM
4 more New Jerseyans die from swine flu (http://www.northjersey.com/news/health/4_more_New_Jerseyans_die_from_swine_flu.html)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
<!-- These are links to email the story, printer-friendly version and comment anchor. --> BY LINDY WASHBURN
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER
Four New Jersey women in their 50s died from the H1N1 influenza virus last week, the state reported Wednesday, bringing the state?s pandemic death toll to 14.
Three of the women had underlying health conditions, and additional information is awaited to determine if the fourth did, said Donna Leusner, director of communications for the state Department of Health.
The latest New Jersey casualties from the epidemic, which began in Mexico in March, were a Monmouth County women, 53, and a Middlesex County woman, 54, who died last Tuesday, a Union County woman, 55, who died on Wednesday, and an Ocean County woman, 56, who died on Friday. All were hospitalized at the time of death.
In all, the state has reported 895 cases of swine flu, as confirmed by laboratory testing, and 455 probable cases, on whom test results are pending. Only patients with severe cases, or who are part of a suspected new cluster, are tested.
Overall, the United States has recorded more than 37,000 confirmed cases, with 211 deaths. New Jersey?s figures are updated each Wednesday, when they are submitted to the federal Centers for Disease Control.
Experts believe that more than 1 million people have been infected with the virus, but not tested. In most cases, symptoms are mild. Most of the people who died had underlying health conditions such as obesity or asthma or were pregnant.
A vaccine is being developed and may be recommended for high-risk groups in the fall. Until then, federal guidelines call for people who are sick with a fever over 100 and a cough or cold to stay home for seven days or until their symptoms have cleared for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Other preventive measures include frequent hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
<!-- These are links to email the story, printer-friendly version and comment anchor. --> BY LINDY WASHBURN
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER
Four New Jersey women in their 50s died from the H1N1 influenza virus last week, the state reported Wednesday, bringing the state?s pandemic death toll to 14.
Three of the women had underlying health conditions, and additional information is awaited to determine if the fourth did, said Donna Leusner, director of communications for the state Department of Health.
The latest New Jersey casualties from the epidemic, which began in Mexico in March, were a Monmouth County women, 53, and a Middlesex County woman, 54, who died last Tuesday, a Union County woman, 55, who died on Wednesday, and an Ocean County woman, 56, who died on Friday. All were hospitalized at the time of death.
In all, the state has reported 895 cases of swine flu, as confirmed by laboratory testing, and 455 probable cases, on whom test results are pending. Only patients with severe cases, or who are part of a suspected new cluster, are tested.
Overall, the United States has recorded more than 37,000 confirmed cases, with 211 deaths. New Jersey?s figures are updated each Wednesday, when they are submitted to the federal Centers for Disease Control.
Experts believe that more than 1 million people have been infected with the virus, but not tested. In most cases, symptoms are mild. Most of the people who died had underlying health conditions such as obesity or asthma or were pregnant.
A vaccine is being developed and may be recommended for high-risk groups in the fall. Until then, federal guidelines call for people who are sick with a fever over 100 and a cough or cold to stay home for seven days or until their symptoms have cleared for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Other preventive measures include frequent hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes.