Potential New NYC Health Commissioner May 17, 2009

 

 

 

 

Mayor Bloomberg is wasting no time selecting a new health comissioner for the city. It is rumored that Dr. Thomas Farley, currently a division head at Tulane University will become NYC’s Health Commissioner replacing Dr. Frieden.  The formal announcement will come tomorrow, May 18th. I have little personal knowledge about Dr. Farley outside of what is written in the NYTimes article (link below). He is said to be a staunch public health advocate and he has worked as an adviser to Dr. Frieden in the past. New York has a tendency to test the best of us. We will wait for the official announcement and wish who ever takes the position God speed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/nyregion/17health.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Yours in Good Health

Swine Flu’s First Fatal Victim in US April 29, 2009

The first fatally from swine flu occurred in a 23 months old Texas toddler.   The details of the story are in the NYTimes article below.  My prayers go out to the family in their time of need.

Please remember to over your mouth when you cough not with your hands but with a napkin or in you elbow. Wash your hands frequently. If you have flu like symtoms (fever and upper respiratory symtoms, etc) please get evaluated by a health care provider and stay home. Keep your children home if they are not well and get them evaluated. Do not take Tamiflu unless under the supervision of a physician.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/health/30flu.html?_r=1&hp

Yours In Good Health

Swine Flu – State of Emergency April 26, 2009

 

Please take a look at the recent NY Times article on the US declaration of a state of emergency due to approximately 20 cases of swine flu in 5 states. Health officials fear the the number of cases will rise quickly over the next several days due to health care providers and the public becoming more aware of the disease.

The NYC DOH confirmed 8 cases of swine flu at St. Frances High School in  Queens, New York. Several of the students have reported gone to Mexico recently.  Mayor Bloomberg and the NYC Health Commissioner stated in a news conference that this is not an epidemic and that New Yorkers should not panic.

All NYC physicians should be on high alert for patients with fever and upper respiratory systoms. The NYC Department of Health has sent out eblast to all listed health care providers making them aware of the swine flu symtoms, diagnostics and treatment.

 If you are having flu like systoms please see your health care provider.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/world/27flu.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1

Yours In Good Health