Mon – Fri: 8:30 – 4:00
Mon – Fri: 8:30 – 4:00
Why Report
What to Report
How to Report
Report diseases that are required to be reported immediately (including newly identified or suspect outreacks) to the Ewing Health Department by phone.
The Ewing Health Department monitors and serves as a reporting agency for communicable diseases in Ewing Township, in order to keep our community safe by preventing further spread and assist patients, and their close contacts, with any questions or concerns.
For information about communicable disease and additional health topics, visit the New Jersey Department of Health's "A-Z" guide: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/.
If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to report an illness, please contact our Public Health Nurses at 609-883-2900 x7685 or 7686.
Measles is a contagious virus that causes spots on your skin and fever. Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus. It causes a widespread rash and flu-like symptoms. But measles isn’t just a rash. It can make you severely ill and lead to life-threatening complications like brain inflammation and pneumonia. It can also make you more likely to get sick with other infections. Before it was part of routine childhood immunizations, measles caused millions of deaths around the world. There are still cases in the U.S. every year. There’s no specific treatment or cure. Measles is also called rubeola, 10-day measles or red measles. It isn’t the same as German measles (rubella).
Measles Frequently Asked Questions
Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian influenza A viruses that naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide. These viruses can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses after close contact with infected birds or animals have occurred.
Rapid detection and reporting of human infections with novel influenza A viruses is important to facilitate prompt awareness and characterization of influenza A viruses with pandemic potential and accelerate the implementation of effective public health responses.
Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare but can occur, usually after close contact with infected birds. As a general precaution, people should avoid direct contact with wild birds or other animals infected with or suspected to be infected with bird flu and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Wild birds can be infected with bird flu viruses without appearing sick. If possible, avoid contact with sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals. Bird flu viruses have been detected in many other species. Avoid contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with animal feces, raw milk, litter, or materials contaminated by birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed bird flu virus infection.
The CDC has information about precautions to take with wild birds, poultry and other animals. As a reminder, it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry and poultry products in the United States. The proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including bird flu viruses. In addition, people should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw cheeses, from animals (for example, goats or cows) with suspected or confirmed bird flu virus infection.
New Jersey Update Jan 13, 2025
Avian influenza is suspected to have caused the deaths of multiple wild birds, predominantly snow geese, across the state this week. Preliminary in-state testing has reported presumptive positive results for H5 avian influenza from 7 snow geese, 2 Canada geese, and 2 hawks recovered from Warren, Middlesex, Morris, and Sussex Counties. Additional animals from multiple sites in southern New Jersey are currently being tested. Bordering states Delaware and Pennsylvania have also reported similar events and preliminary positive cases of H5 avian influenza. While results are not yet confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is expected to be the cause of death for these animals.
While HPAI can infect humans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared that the ongoing HPAI outbreak is primarily an animal health issue that poses low risk to the health of the general public. Waterfowl and gamebird hunters should take precautions while handling and dressing birds. Thoroughly cook all game to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming or feeding to pets. Falconers should avoid hunting waterfowl and other waterbirds until the apparent cessation of the active outbreak.
The NJDOH defines Influenza (flu) as a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza which can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for serious flu complications.
The Ewing Health Department offers free flu shots to Ewing residents at several convenient locations in the Township in October and November each year.
The Flu Vaccine is RECOMMENDED for ALL adults and children aged 6 months and older (with rare exceptions*), and REQUIRED for children attending nursery school and children in daycare who are 6 months to 5 years of age.
See our COVID-19 webpage.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by many types of germs (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses).
Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
People who are at increased risk for pneumonia are:
Immunizations and appropriate treatment (like antibiotics and antivirals) could prevent many deaths from pneumonia each year. Most of the people affected by pneumonia in the United States are adults. CDC data show more than 41,000 people died from pneumonia in the United States during 2022. (see Pneumonia Prevention and Control | Pneumonia | CDC)
The NJDOH required reporting within 24 hours of Diagnosis to the Local Health Department.
"Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever are collectively known as legionellosis, a disease caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionella is a type of bacterium found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems such as building premise plumbing and cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air-cooling systems for building or industrial processes). Legionella can continue to persist in the water system unless proper steps are taken to prevent the growth of bacteria.
People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria. People can breathe in small droplets of water by using a shower, hot tub, or sink. Other sources of aerosolized water include decorative fountains and cooling towers.
Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of drinking water containing Legionella. This happens when water accidentally goes into the lungs while drinking. People at increased risk of aspiration include those with swallowing difficulties."
Note: Home and car air-conditioning units do not use water to cool the air, so they are not a risk for Legionella growth.
Additional Resources
The NJ Department of Health defines RSV as "a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, runny nose, and decrease in appetite.
Infants/young children and older adults are most at risk for severe disease that may require hospitalization. RSV can also cause severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems or chronic heart and lung diseases."
RSV Vaccines are available and are recommended for adults aged 60 -74 who are at increased risk, adults aged 75+, and infants and young children.
Additional Resources
Rabies is an infectious disease caused by the rabies virus. Animals infected with rabies display strange behavior such as aggression, and signs of neurologic impairment including vocalization, circling, and paralysis.
People who are bitten by or have had contact with saliva from an animal should notify the local health department (LHD) having jurisdiction where the animal is located and seek medical care. (Directory of LHDs) LHDs can be also contacted through police departments in the event of an emergency. LHD staff will consult with the persons bitten or exposed to rabies and will make recommendations regarding rabies prophylaxis to their health care provider. If the suspect rabid animal is available, LHDs may also arrange for testing or confinement of animals.
If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to animal control. Small mammals are also carriers of the deer ticks that cause Lyme disease. If anyone comes across any wildlife that appears ill, do not try to handle it, but rather call Animal Control at 609-883-2900 ext. 7175 or the Police Department after hours.
Lyme disease is an illness caused by infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is carried by ticks. It is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. In New Jersey, the most commonly infected tick is the deer tick. Immature ticks become infected by feeding on infected white-footed mice and other small mammals, such as deer and meadow voles. This infection can cause a variety of symptoms and if left untreated can be severe.
Additional Resources
