Number of H1N1 cases up in Ocean

"Presently, there are 33 laboratory-confirmed cases of the novel H1N1 (swine flu) in Ocean County," said Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health.

"At this time, all are recovering or completely recovered. The Communicable Disease staff at the Ocean County Health Department continues to closely monitor influenza like activity within Ocean County," Little said.

Jen Crawford, Ocean County Health Department Supervising Field Representative- Disease Control, pointed out that 10 of the individuals affected are over the age of 18, seven are adolescents and 16 are under the age of 13.

Areas of Ocean County that have been affected are Barnegat, Beachwood, Brick Township, Eagleswood, Jackson, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, Ocean, Plumsted, Stafford, Toms River and Tuckerton.

The health department has sent out information to all of the camps in Ocean County with pertinent information on what camp administrators and staff need to know about H1N1.

"Health department staff members from the Communicable Disease Division are available to answer questions for camps regarding staff and campers with influenzalike illness," said Leslie Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department public information officer.

Terjesen said H1N1 is a new, or novel, virus and most people have no immunity to it.

She said, "Although we keep sending out the following information over and over, we do know that these behaviors can protect us and our loved ones from becoming ill. This information was also included in all the packets to our camps:

• Wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the tissue or cough or sneeze in your sleeve.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Try to avoid contact with people who are ill.

• If you are sick, stay home.

• Wipe common household/workplace surfaces with disinfectants whose labels report virus-killing properties.

• Stay informed about the situation as it evolves from credible sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov), the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (www.state.nj.us/health/er/h1n1) or the Ocean County Health Department (www.ochd.org ).