The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services today announced a third death of a New Jersey resident with novel H1N1 influenza.

 

The individual was a 10-year old Sussex County boy who died yesterday in Morristown Memorial Hospital. He became ill on June 12, was hospitalized two days later with cough and fever. He had underlying medical conditions. The child was last in school on June 11 and had no symptoms.

 

The state lab confirmed today that the boy had H1N1 influenza.

 

“I would like to extend my sympathies to the family,’’ said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard. “Influenza is a serious illness that can unfortunately lead to death. We continue to monitor this novel H1N1 influenza to watch for any change. We urge New Jersey residents to remain vigilant and take proper precautions to protect themselves and their families.”

 

To date, New Jersey has 415 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in 19 counties. There are also 252 probable cases pending confirmatory testing in the state lab.

 

Nationally, there are 17,855 confirmed and probable cases in 50 states.  There have been 167 deaths worldwide, including 44 deaths in the United States. Approximately 88 countries worldwide have confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza. 

 

“The Department will continue to monitor the H1N1 outbreak,” said Commissioner Howard. “We have also posted guidance for summer residential camps to help decrease the spread of H1N1 influenza and other infectious diseases.”

 

Commissioner Howard continues to urge all New Jersey residents to take preventive measures to avoid getting sick. These include:

 

•        Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly

•        Covering coughs and sneezes

•        Staying home from work or school if you are sick

 

The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been associated with H1N1 influenza, especially in Mexico for reasons that are not known. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 influenza might cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

 

For more information on H1N1 Influenza, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.nj.gov/health.