Disease

October 2, 2009 -- Officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the White House Office for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships began distributing a new flu-response guide for community and faith-based organizations this week in an effort to reach out and educate Americans about the dangers of the new H1N1 and seasonal flu, and to reach populations who may not have access to this public health information in other ways.

The document, entitled H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-Based Organizations, provides information about 2009 H1N1 flu and current response activities that are relevant to communities.    » read more »

October 05, 2009 -- "The story we learned about over the weekend is unacceptable and tragic. We all know we can and should do more to protect the safety of the American people and the story in this weekend's paper will continue to spur our efforts to reduce the incidence of E. coli O157:H7. Over the last eight months since President Obama took office, USDA has been aggressive in its efforts to improve food safety, and has been an active partner in establishing and contributing to President Obama's Food Safety Working Group.    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- Many people who have died from 2009 H1N1 influenza in the United States had co-infections with a common bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus) which likely contributed to their death, according to a report published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention′s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. CDC is reminding people of the importance of being vaccinated against this common bacterium.    » read more »

Governor, public health officials take part in administration’s statewide flu summit

WORCESTER – September 30, 2009 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the state has placed its first order for H1N1 vaccine with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to their vital public health role, the initial small shipment, set to arrive next week, will be used for health care workers only.

Additional vaccine shipments will arrive weekly through the end of the flu season and, in about six to eight weeks, the Commonwealth will have enough vaccine in the state to make available to the general public.    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today renewed a Proclamation of Civil Emergency Due to a Highly Infectious Agent, which was originally signed on Sept. 1. The proclamation enables the State to continue to better respond to the potential dangers of H1N1 flu and to facilitate a statewide vaccination campaign.

“Continued vigilance is necessary as we address the seasonal and H1N1 flu,” said Governor Baldacci. “We have built a sustained and proactive outreach effort and need to retain the flexibility by which we can pursue a responsible and aggressive vaccination and public education campaign.”    » read more »

Initiative to increase public awareness to help prevent spread of H1N1 and seasonal flu

Sep 30, 2009 --
LAFAYETTE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal joined Department of Health and Hospitals’ (DHH) Secretary Alan Levine to get their seasonal flu shots and launch the “Fight the Flu” campaign in Lafayette at the Teche Drug Store. Aimed at keeping Louisianians healthy during flu season, the campaign will promote immunizations and hygiene in order to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus.    » read more »

Scripps Research scientists correct gene defect in mice that causes lethal symptoms in children

LA JOLLA, CA, September 17, 2009—A recent study by Scripps Research Institute scientists offers good news for families of children afflicted with the rare genetic disorder, cystinosis. In research that holds out hope for one day developing a potential therapy to treat the fatal disorder, the study shows that the genetic defect in mice can be corrected with stem cell transplantation.    » read more »

Variability Observed By Area, Race/Ethnicity, and Poverty Status; Survey provides first estimates of coverage at the state level and for selected local areas

September 17, 2009 -- Vaccine coverage rates for the nation’s preteens and teens are increasing, but nationally, rates remain low for the vaccines specifically recommended for preteens, according to 2008 estimates released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- Today, President Obama announced the United States will continue to act aggressively to stop the global spread of the pandemic 2009-H1N1 influenza virus and is prepared to make 10 percent of its H1N1 vaccine supply available to other countries through the World Health Organization (WHO).

In recognition that diseases know no borders and that the health of the American people is inseparable from the health of people around the world, the United States is taking this action in concert with Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- In a statewide conference call today, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell updated local health and chief elected officials on the state’s efforts in monitoring the growing number of mosquitoes carrying the potentially deadly Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus.

The virus has been identified in mosquitoes trapped in a number of towns, mostly in rural eastern Connecticut. The Governor was joined on the call by her state commissioners of Environmental Protection, Public Health, Agriculture, Emergency Management and Homeland Security and experts from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.    » read more »

September 1, 2009 -- Rose Garden -- THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Before I say a few words about the meeting we just had I'd like to mention some good news that came out today about our economy. For the first time in 18 months, our manufacturing sector has expanded, and the statistics used to measure manufacturing output is the highest it's been in over two years.

This means greater production of transportation equipment like cars, and electronic equipment like computers and appliances, and it means these companies are starting to invest more and produce more, and it is a sign that we're on the path to economic recovery.    » read more »

September 1, 2009 -- The health and safety of the American people is the first priority of President Barack Obama. Since the novel 2009-H1N1 flu virus emerged in the United States during the third week of April, the President has received regular briefi'ngs and asked his Cabinet to spare no effort in addressing this national security challenge.    » read more »

First company to join the pool since creation in March 2009

8 July 2009, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London UK -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY) announced today that Alnylam will contribute more than 1500 issued or pending patents on its RNA interference (RNAi) technology patent estate to the patent pool established by GSK earlier this year.    » read more »

Receives Fast Track Designation from FDA for PEGylated Interferon Beta-1a for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jul 08, 2009 -- Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted PEGylated interferon beta-1a (BIIB017) Fast Track designation for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Biogen Idec is currently enrolling patients in a global Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of either bi-weekly or once-monthly injections of PEGylated interferon beta-1a in this patient population.    » read more »

Investment will help to develop New York’s new economy; Requests for applications for stem cell research released

July 8, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the availability of $21.5 million in State funding for stem cell research in New York State through the release of two Requests for Applications (RFAs). This latest investment underscores New York’s commitment to stem cell research and its potential to strengthen the State’s position as a national leader in biomedical research.    » read more »