North Bergen student dies of flu-like symptoms

A student from North Bergen died from flu-like symptoms, according to a Monday school announcement.

"Today is a sad day in the North Bergen School District as we have lost one of our own," the superintendent posted on the district's Facebook page. "I would like to express on behalf of the entire North Bergen School District our deepest sympathies for the family of our student, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you during this difficult time."

The student's name, age, gender and date of death were not specified by the district.

North Bergen Superintendent George J. Solter Jr.'s statement said the district was taking precautions to stop the spread of the flu.

"During the last three weeks each desk in our schools have been disinfected with bleach," according to the statement, "in addition, our custodians have been spraying disinfectant on doorknobs, handles, toilets, sinks and other surfaces to help prevent the virus from spreading."

Parents were urged not to send their children to school if they're sick. The North Bergen Health Department was offering free vaccines to township residents.

An email sent to Solter was not immediately returned.

The flu has wreaked havoc through New Jersey. Hudson County alone has had more than 900 cases since Oct. 7, 2017, the start of "flu season."

The death of a 4-year-old girl from Central Jersey was believed to be the state's first flu death this season in December.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children 6 months and older get a seasonal influenza vaccine each year. It's "the single best way to protect against seasonal flu and its potential severe complications," according to the CDC.

The following preventive actions are encouraged by the CDC:

Stay home when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

If you or your child gets sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces or objects at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.

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. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

According to a CDC preventive action document the flu spreads from person to person through droplets from coughing, sneezing and talking. Flu viruses also may spread through touch.

People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick, the CDC says.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com

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