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State reports 28 have died from the virus in 2009
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Six New Jerseyans, two men and four women, died from health complications related to swine flu between Nov. 2 and 11, the state Department of Health and Senior Services revealed Wednesday.
The deaths include:
- A 24-year-old Passaic County male, Nov. 2
- A 30-year-old Passaic County male, Nov. 5
- A 36-year-old Burlington County female, Nov. 6
- A 42-year-old Somerset County female, Nov. 7
- A 42-year-old Burlington County female, Nov. 8
- A 33-year-old Ocean County female, Nov. 11
Including the six deaths, a total of 10 swine flu-related deaths have occurred in New Jersey since Sept. 1, bringing the statewide total this year to 28.
The people who died all had underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and obesity, said Deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Susan Walsh. Five of the six were hospitalized at the time of their deaths."The deaths are not an indication of an increase in the severity or prevalence of H1N1 (swine flu) in New Jersey but are a reminder that influenza is a serious disease and can cause serious complications," Walsh said. "It is important that everyone remember the public health measures that can reduce the chances of contracting the disease — get vaccinated against H1N1, wash your hands frequently, cover your cough and stay home when you're sick."
The state surveillance report also notes that New Jersey continues to have widespread flu activity.
The Health Department does not release more detailed information about patient deaths such as home town. Only pediatric influenza deaths are required to be reported to the state. However, the department has asked local and county health departments and hospitals to report any laboratory confirmed H1N1 deaths. That information is also reported to the federal Centers for Disease Control.
The Health Department has several tools available for New Jerseyans seeking an H1N1 flu shot.
Google Inc. has launched a flu shot finder to provide individuals with the locations of clinics that offer seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. This site can be accessed at http://nj.gov/health/flu/h1n1.shtml. It allows the public to search by town, county and zip code to find flu shots at locations such as major retail pharmacies and supermarkets. The site also includes the public health clinics that have been listed on the Health Department's "Find a Flu Shot" button. The website can also be accessed at www.google.com/flushot.
Individuals can contact their physician, community health center, local pharmacy, local or county health department, hospital or school. Some doctors, health clinics and schools are providing vaccine to their patients and students, while local health departments, pharmacies and some hospitals are offering clinics to the public.
Residents can find public health clinics by accessing the state's "Find a Flu Shot" button. The flu shot locator is at www.state.nj.us/health/flu/findflushot.shtml.
Residents can also call the state's H1N1 Information Hotline - 1-866-321-9571. Live operators are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The hotline has answered 20,000 calls since it opened on Oct. 6.
