Disease

Applications Based on Data from Nearly 1,500 Patients in Two of the Largest Studies Ever Conducted in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – May 19, 2009 – Genentech, Inc. and Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB) today announced that the companies submitted two supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLAs) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Rituxan® (rituximab) plus standard chemotherapy for people with previously untreated or treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The companies will request a priority review, and if granted, anticipate the FDA will make a decision within six months.    » read more »

New PSA Campaign Unveiled at the HHS/Department of Education Childcare Center

May 22, 2009 -- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is joining the Ad Council and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, to launch a national public service advertising campaign designed to encourage American families and children to take steps to protect themselves from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus and continue to practice healthy habits.    » read more »

Recovery Act Funds Will Be Used to Combat Fourth Leading Cause of Death, Illness and Disability in the United States

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet today announced that the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) will award a $153,259 grant to the University of Colorado Denver's School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the department will take important steps necessary to prepare for potential commercial-scale production of a candidate vaccine for the novel Influenza A ( H1N1). The Secretary is directing approximately $1 billion in existing funds that will be used for clinical studies that will take place over the summer and for commercial-scale production of two potential vaccine ingredients for the pre-pandemic influenza stockpile.    » read more »

25 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 25 May 2009, 46 countries have officially reported 12 515 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 91 deaths.

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the following table:

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005)    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- “The State Department of Health (DOH) and State Education Department have finalized a voluntary statewide system for monitoring illness and absenteeism in schools that will enhance monitoring that has been underway since the start of the outbreak. This additional monitoring is designed to identify situations that may warrant additional State level attention. It will supplement the data school districts already collect regarding absenteeism and support consistent and informed application of best practices on a statewide basis.    » read more »

The First In Albany And Greene Counties

May 21, 2009 -- “This morning, I was informed by the State Department of Health that testing at its Wadsworth Laboratories confirmed two new cases of H1N1 (swine flu) in Albany and Greene counties. These are the first confirmed H1N1 cases in each of those counties.

“These additional cases are cause for concern, but they should not be cause for panic or alarm. Our Health Department is using all of its resources and working diligently with its local and national partners to ensure the public remains healthy and safe as we confront this crisis.    » read more »

19 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 19 May 2009, 40 countries have officially reported 9830 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 79 deaths.

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the following table and map.

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005)    » read more »

May 17, 2009 -- “It is with great sadness tonight that we learn that New York has lost one of its residents to an illness related to H1N1. Speaking for all New Yorkers, our condolences and prayers go to Mitchell Wiener’s family, friends, co-workers and students. I know he will be missed at the Intermediate School 238 in Hollis.

“The New York State Department of Health (DOH) remains on heightened alert to respond to the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. DOH continues to work closely with local public health departments that are carefully monitoring the situation, particularly with respect to absenteeism in schools.    » read more »

Udall Resolution to Raise Awareness of CCM Clears Senate

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation introduced by Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., to take a first step towards boosting research and education efforts related to Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM), a relatively unknown illness more prevalent among New Mexico Hispanics than any other group.

Udall's resolution expresses the U.S. Senate’s recognition of the critical need to increase research, awareness and education about CCM. Udall was joined by Senator Jeff Bingaman in introducing the resolution.    » read more »

Assists Parents, Improves Child Nutrition, Cuts Costs of Chronic Diseases

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - As part of a broad agenda to assist parents and improve child nutrition, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants the nation to follow New York City's lead and require nutrition facts on all chain restaurant menus.

The first New York Senator to serve on the Agriculture Committee in 40 years, Senator Gillibrand announced last week that she is working with Chairman Tom Harkin and co-sponsoring the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act to require all restaurants with at least 20 locations to post nutrition facts on all menus, menu boards and drive through lanes.    » read more »

Applauds Acting Director Besser’s leadership on H1N1 flu response; Dr. Besser will continue to lead CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response

May, 15 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced that he has appointed Dr. Thomas Frieden, currently Commissioner of the New York City Health Department, as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

President Obama also announced that Acting CDC Director Dr. Rich Besser, who has led the CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response for the past four years, will continue in this role.    » read more »

17 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 17 May 2009, 39 countries have officially reported 8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 2895 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 66 deaths. The United States has reported 4714 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Canada has reported 496 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported nine laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- “This evening I was informed by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg that New York City has made a decision to close an additional three schools due to high absenteeism and reports of influenza-like illnesses. The three schools are:

o JHS 74Q - Nathanial Hawthorne School, 1021 students in Bayside: 26 students with documented flu-like symptoms.
o P.S. 107Q - Thomas A. Dooley, 891 students in Flushing: Flu-like symptoms were documented as being persistently high this week and 49 students were documented with flu-like symptoms.
o I.S. 318K - Eugenio Maria De Hostos, 1517 students in Williamsburg: 53 students were documented with flu-like symptoms this week.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- “Health experts have said all along it was inevitable that swine flu would eventually show up in Mississippi, and they were right as three cases have been confirmed in south Mississippi. But, this is no time to panic; instead, it is a time to be cautious and mindful of good health practices with which you and your families are already familiar.

“The state Department of Health is on top of the situation in Mississippi and will continue to monitor and issue guidance as necessary. I encourage all Mississippians to stay alert for additional information.”

Source: Mississippi Governor