Update: Over 60 Treated After Second Monmouth County Courthouse Evacuation
The cause of illness still has yet to be determined.
Photos
Monmouth County officials are not sure about what caused 65 people to fall ill at the county courthouse Monday afternoon.
"We have no idea what might have caused this," said William Heine, a representitive of Monmouth County.
Police and emergency responders rushed to the Monmouth County Courthouse after it was evacuated around 1 p.m. due to multiple employees falling ill. Workers evacuated the building for the second time in two business days. The building was evacuated on Friday, June 15. During that incident, 43 people were treated at the scene of the incident.
A hospital spokesperson told News 12 at least 25 people are being treated at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Monday, where a decontamination tent is set up for patients from the courthouse.
Heine said that they tested the building for volatile chemical compounds and all results came back negative. He said tonight they will be testing the whole building for pollen, dust and mold.
The employees reportedly experienced a variety of symptoms including shortness of breath, nausea, chest pain, heart palpitation, rash and dizziness. A total of 17 employees reported feeling ill while working on the first floor of the west wing on Friday according to a press release from the county, making a total of 82.
The office of emergency management and the Monmouth EMS Task force were on the scene with a first aid bus. Marlboro, Manalapan, Freehold, Howell, Farmingdale and Monoc first aids all responded to the scene of the hazmat incident.
The west wing of the building was cleaned over the weekend after Friday's incident, but according to Heine whatever is causing people to fall ill spread throughout the building.
"What we found today is that it wasn't just limited to one area of the building where the fresh cut flowers were. It was throughout the whole building," he said.
When asked about foul play during a press conference, Heine said he doesn't think that is the cause. "Everything is on the table, but I don’t think there is any indication of that," he said.
The building will be closed tomorrow and all court cases will be rescheduled.
Sal
3:43 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
The human mind works in strange ways when it is subjected to extreme inner fears.
One person says something toxic is in the air____ and they next thing you know one person after another is saying I feel sick. Fear alone___ that the building 'might' be toxic ___may be the cause.
JD
5:54 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Check the HVAC systems...
remember Philly's legionaires disease??
Mischa
9:45 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
That's the first thing I thought of as well. Those closed systems can harbor germs, mold and bacteria that rapidly multiply with the correct temperature and humidity.
Claudine Scozzari
11:38 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
For all you history buffs out there - the Philly legionnaires disease occurred in July 1976 with connections to an international convention. The main symptoms are pneumonia and high fevers (in Philly 107 degrees).
The symptoms are a little different.
NJ-EON1
6:37 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Just to point out the pictures with the orange chute--that has been there prior to this and it not in response to the incidents at the court house. Those are trypically used by contrcution workers to transport items that are to be disposed of from a certain floor, in this case the third floor such as the picture shows, directly down to a dumpster, the dumpster which is not shown in this picture has been there prior to this as well
cynicinmarlboro
7:44 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Between the 2 days I still haven't heard if anyone OTHER than an employee was taken ill. Can't see why it would only be employees getting sick.
Kaitlyn Anness
9:35 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
The contaminated areas are third floor offices, not in the courthouse. From what we have heard, it is employees that have gotten sick. There have been no reports other wise.
Mike
7:33 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
From what I know, people started getting sick last Tuesday in special civil on the first floor.
Peter Paul
8:10 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Blood pressure 210/120. That's not fear that's scary. A judge 2 sheriffs officers and multiple EMTs were treated at the hospital. There's more to it then they're saying.
a l
10:11 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
My vote is for legionaries'
Sal
6:24 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
treated at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Monday, where a decontamination tent is set up for patients from the courthouse.
Let's see___the County says they cannot find any cause___yet the hospital will not even allow the sick court house patients to enter the hospital building without going through a Decontamination process being conducted outside the hospital in a tent.. Decontamination for What? You cannot decontaminate Mass Hysteria.
Mike
7:31 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Come on. They're ripping apart the 3rd floor now where the DA used to be. Isn't it logical to see what they are throwing out and what toxins are entering the air ducts? Glad I have nothing before the court right now.
bud
2:48 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I would ban all politicians from entering the building to prevent further gas buildup!
Peter P
6:35 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Some employees are back at the hospital again.
Herky
7:29 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Is it true, no one was allowed to leave sick, UNTIL a JUDGE passed out !!?? Then it became a crises?? Shows what offficals think of the common people, let them die!!??
Plaidrock
4:27 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Still no answers? Contagious illness? Toxin? Mass hysteria?