HHS

Says Improving Quality is Key Component of Health Reform; Secretary Challenges Hospitals to Fight Healthcare Associated Infections, Makes Available $50 Million in Recovery Act Funding Available

May 6, 2009 -- At a speech before the AFSCME Nurses Conference Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today discussed two new HHS reports on the quality of health care in America and challenged hospitals to work to reduce health care associated infections. Published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the annual 2008 National Healthcare Quality Report and 2008 National Healthcare Disparities Report indicate that patient safety measures have worsened and that a substantial number of Americans do not receive recommended care.    » read more »

6 May 2009 -- As of 16:00 GMT, 6 May 2009, 23 countries have officially reported 1893 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 942 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 29 deaths. The United States has reported 642 laboratory confirmed human cases, including two deaths.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (165), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (5), Germany (9), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (5), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (2), Spain (73), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (28).    » read more »

Red Cross survey findings show people are following common sense practices to prevent the spread of flu - proper hand washing, visiting the doctor and staying home when sick.

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, May 06, 2009 — One in three Americans is worried about the swine flu (H1N1) outbreak, but more than half of the people are paying extra attention to good hygiene and preparedness as a way of protecting themselves from the virus, according to a new poll by the American Red Cross.

The survey of 1,004 U.S. adults, taken May 1-4, shows that four out of five of those surveyed reported that they are following the swine flu story very or fairly closely, and 36 percent said they were either very worried (8 percent) or somewhat worried (28 percent) about this flu virus.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 - New York Governor David A. Paterson today applauded U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for proposing to rescind regulations that would have restricted states’ flexibility to administer the Medicaid program, shifted costs from the federal government to states, and significantly reduced funding for critical Medicaid providers, including state agencies, school districts, critical health providers and beneficiaries.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention identified three new cases of the H1N1 influenza, bringing the total number of identified cases in the State to 10. Newly identified cases include a child in Cumberland County, and one adult in both York and Kennebec Counties.

Totals as of Wednesday, May 6, are as follows: five in York County (four adults, one child); three adults in Kennebec County; and one child each in Cumberland County and Penobscot County. Four of the five York County cases have been confirmed by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and half of the 10 people in Maine with H1N1 have a history of travel.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) today identified two new probable cases, and specimens have been sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory in Atlanta for confirmation. CDC confirmation is expected within the next two days.

The two cases are both adult O‘ahu residents and were discovered after an extensive review of statewide clinical commercial laboratory data by the DOH as part of enhanced influenza surveillance in the community. Investigation of the cases is underway, and the DOH will provide additional information when it becomes available.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2009 - Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today re-affirmed that all appropriate steps are being taken to protect public health and strengthen the pork industry in both countries.

Additional analysis conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of the H1N1 Influenza A has re-affirmed that the virus found in swine at a farm in Alberta, Canada, is the human strain. The CFIA has fully isolated and contained the situation on the Alberta farm.    » read more »

6 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 6 May 2009, 22 countries have officially reported 1516 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 822 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 29 deaths. The United States has reported 403 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (165), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (4), Germany (9), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (6), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (2), Spain (57), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (27).    » read more »

May 05, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today made the following remarks about the confirmation of Oklahoma’s first case of H1N1 influenza.

“We expected that eventually there would be a confirmed case of H1N1 flu in Oklahoma, so this is no surprise. The confirmation of a case in the state means citizens should be cautious, but not fearful.

"It simply means that Oklahomans should continue to take commonsense measures to avoid getting the virus, and to see a doctor if they experience flu-like symptoms. Oklahoma’s healthcare and public safety communities have the resources and personnel in place to handle any challenges posed by H1N1 flu.”

Source: Oklahoma Governor

Two More New York Schools Close

May 5, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that specimen testing performed Monday by the New York State Department of Health’s (DOH) Wadsworth Laboratories resulted in one new confirmed case of H1N1 (swine flu).

“At my request, DOH continues to coordinate a statewide response to the H1N1 outbreak,” said Governor Paterson. “Yesterday, DOH’s Wadsworth Laboratories tested 18 specimens from 18 patients, including one repeat from Sunday. One new confirmed case of H1N1 was identified in Queens.”    » read more »

May 5, 2009 -- HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) received laboratory confirmation today from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on three cases of novel H1N1 Influenza A (swine-origin flu). The three confirmed cases are O‘ahu residents; two are adults, one with recent travel to Texas and the other becoming ill after exposure to their spouse. The third separate case is a school-aged child with recent travel to California. All have recovered at home and are no longer contagious. At this time, there are no new probable cases.    » read more »

May 5, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the first two probable cases from two Fairfield University students have tested positive for novel H1N1, or swine, flu.

Results from the CDC confirm that two Fairfield University students are positive for novel H1N1 flu. DPH is still waiting for confirmation from the CDC on five other Fairfield University students who were deemed as “probable” cases this weekend. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of novel H1N1 flu to four. The CDC confirmed last week that an adult from Stratford and a Middlefield child tested positive with novel H1N1. Results on a Southbury adult require additional testing.    » read more »

Lab tests may begin in just weeks as a result of World Community Grid

GALVESTON, Texas - 05 May 2009 -- IBM and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) launched an effort using IBM's World Community Grid "virtual supercomputer" to allow laboratory tests on drug candidates for drug-resistant influenza strains and new strains, such as H1N1, in less than a month.    » read more »

May 4, 2009 -- Secretary Napolitano: First let me explain why we're at FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters]. It's not because of a disaster declaration with respect to the flu. We're here because I had meetings at the White House this afternoon, and in order to accommodate the press's need for time, it was easier to come down here where we had a press availability than to go all the way back up to the NAC [Nebraska Avenue Complex]. So don't read anything into the location other than it was convenient.    » read more »

May 5, 2009 -- Atlanta, Ga. -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Acting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Richard Besser announced new CDC guidance on closure of schools and child care facilities where there has been reported cases of the novel H1N1 flu virus.

The new guidance was developed in consultation with top scientists at the CDC and some of the top public health departments across the country.

Statement by HHS Secretary Sebelius and Acting CDC Director Besser:    » read more »