Flu Outbreak Closes 3 NJ Schools In One District

BRANCHBURG, NJ — The flu outbreak caused three schools in one district to close Monday.

The Branchburg Township School District reported that there is "a flu outbreak among essential personnel" causing Whiton Elementary School, Stony Brook School and Branchburg Centeral Middle School to close.

High School students from Branchburg do attend school in Somerville, which will remain open, the district announced.

This follows New Jersey's worst flu week reported yet. (See Related: NJ Flu Scare: Worst Week Yet; Who's At Risk?)

New Jersey had a staggering 2,582 new flu cases during the week of Jan. 20 through 27, the most since the flu season began on Oct. 7, according to the Department of Health. Since the season began, the state has had its highest number of emergency department visits in two years.

The total number of flu cases is nearly double what it was at this time last year: 7,332 in 2018 versus 4,228 in 2017, according to the DOH.

The virus was also found to be the cause of the state's first flu death — a 4-year-girl who lived in Central Jersey. The girl, who was not identified, died in December and was not vaccinated.

Dr. Marc Milano, the medical director of Robert Wood Johnson Somerset's Emergency Department. attributes to the increase to the flu being more of a "virulent strain." (See Related: RWJ Somerset Hospital Reports Increase In Flu Patients)

"The vaccine is only rated 30 percent and even those vaccinated previously and protected are coming to the hospital and still getting sick," Milano said.

But he still encourages locals to get the flu shot as there are times the shot will still help prevent someone from contracting the flu and also lessen the severity of the symptoms versus if they were not vaccinated.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, headaches and fatigue. The flu virus is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by touching something that someone with the virus has touched.

You can pass the flu to someone else both before and while you are sick. Adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and as many as five to seven days after becoming ill, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Some people, especially young children and those with weakened immune systems, may be able to infect others for an even longer time.

To treat the flu, use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms. Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids. If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you may be able to take an antiviral drug that will reduce the severity of symptoms and the length of illness.

Here are some additional tips:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face — your mouth, nose and eyes.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid others who are sick.
• Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.

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