We received this release today from the campaign of Hoboken mayoral candidate (and 4th Ward Councilwoman) Dawn Zimmer regarding swine flu, and the threat to Hoboken.
Hoboken contains 38,000 people in a square mile. As of Sunday, eight cases of the disease had been reported in New York City.
For more on the disease, its spread and its symptoms, see the end of this report.
Zimmer’s release reads:
“City Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer called for City Hall to conduct an immediate Swine Flu Preparedness Briefing so the Hoboken community is fully informed on existing contingency plans and what additional preparation is underway given this specific emerging situation.
“Zimmer said: ‘Hoboken is a high density town, a major transportation hub with thousands of commuters coming and going every day, and an ‘international’ city with residents travelling all over the world. We need to assure the community that we have the “surge capacity” to quickly handle a large number of rapidly occurring cases.’
“While monitoring status reports and directives from the (Federal) Center for Disease Control and Department of Homeland Security and the State Department of Health, it is important that Hoboken residents – particularly seniors, schools, day care centers, and restaurants – have a local information source starting today so appropriate consistent evidenced-based decisions are made.”
According to the Centers for Disease control website, updated yesterday, there have been 8 confirmed cases of the flu in New York City, none in New Jersey, 7 in California, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Ohio and 2 in Texas.
They note: “Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
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.
What do you think? Are you concerned? Comment below!