June 2, 2009
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Over the last month the Morris County Office of Health Management and your local Health
Department have been monitoring the current H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) outbreak. As of June 2
the NJ Department of Health has confirmed 20 cases of H1N1 Influenza A in Morris County and 78
cases in New Jersey. Cases have been confirmed in 15 of New Jersey’s 21 counties. Based on the
information available we now believe that we can confirm community wide spread of H1N1 Influenza
A in Morris County.

Because it is easy to collect data on absenteeism, schools have played an important role in helping
public health officials monitor the spread of H1N1 Influenza A in New Jersey. As such, a number of
the cases in Morris County, as in other counties have been associated with schools. Now that we have
confirmed a community wide spread of the virus we will be suspending our sampling program. We will
no longer need to test for H1N1 Influenza A in Morris County. However, local health departments and
schools will continue to monitor for influenza like illness (fever with cough and/or sore throat).
The Morris County Office of Health Management along with our municipal health officers continue to
advise that schools do not need to close if cases of H1N1 Influenza A are identified in a school. The
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the NJ Department of Health have stated that in general,
closing schools for cases of H1N1 Influenza A is no longer effective as the virus spreads through the
community. The mild nature of the disease suggests it should be treated as we would treat any
other influenza.

Flu spreads easily from person to person and this being a new strain of flu, people do not have
immunity. While the total number of confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza A has remained small we are
seeing an increase in influenza like illness throughout the community. In order to reduce the spread of
influenza in your school and community the Morris County Office of Health Management and your
local health department have advised your school administration to exclude students and staff with
influenza-like symptoms (fever with cough and/or sore throat) from school for 7 days after illness
onset, or 24 hours after all symptoms disappear, whichever is longer. As a parent, you can help prevent
the spread of influenza by keeping your child at home for the 7 days and not have them participate in
group activities. When you report an absence to your school please be prepared to state the reason and
any symptoms your child has.

If your child’s doctor is diagnosing something other than influenza, please have the doctor
include the diagnosis in any note requesting the child return to school earlier than 7 days. If
the doctor can not make a conclusive diagnosis, they may note that they have ruled out
influenza. Should your doctor have any questions, they may contact your local health
department for more information.

While the symptoms of H1N1 Influenza A have been mild in most people, because there is
no vaccine the CDC advises that people who would have serious complications if they got
the flu, to consider their risk before attending public gatherings where H1N1 Influenza A is
circulating. Anyone who would be at high risk of complications if they got the flu (ex: people
with chronic medical conditions, person’s 65 and older, pregnant women) should consult
their doctor if they are concerned.

Good hygiene practice both at home and school will help reduce the risk of infection:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; put the used
  tissue in a waste basket and clean your hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your upper sleeve (not your hands) if you do not
  have a tissue and need to cough or sneeze.
• Clean your hands as soon as possible after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
  • Use soap and water and wash your hands for 15 - 20 seconds; or
  • Use alcohol-based hand wipes or alcohol-based (60-95% alcohol) gel hand
    sanitizers; rub these on the hands until the liquid or gel dries.

You are welcome to visit our Morris County Health Office website at www.morrishealth.org
for more information. Should you have any additional questions we encourage you to contact
your local Municipal Health Officer.

You may be confident that your School Administration and local Health Department are
working in unison with Morris County officials to minimize the risk to you and your
children.

Sincerely,
Peter Summers
Peter Summers
Morris County Health Officer
Office located 634 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Township New Jersey 07960
www.morrishealth.org

Download PDF from:
COUNTY OF MORRIS
DEPARTMENT OF LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY
OFFICE OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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

Swine Flu Information Number
1-973-691-0900 ext 7353

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States and internationally. Currently the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends taking the following steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid sharing of food utensils and cups/bottles.
• Avoid physical contact, such as friendly kiss type greeting.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Seek medical attention.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Monitoring of the conditions is ongoing and additional communications will occur based upon developing conditions. Your diligence of following the precautionary guidelines is greatly appreciated.