Letter to Richard Besser, MD, Acting Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Letter
Letter to Richard Besser, MD, Acting Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
SCHUMER TO CDC: DON'T FORGET ABOUT UPSTATE NEW YORK; CALLS ON CDC TO PROVIDE ANY NECESSARY ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ASSIST WITH POTENTIAL SWINE FLU CASES
Schumer Urges CDC To Offer Same Resources To Communities Upstate As It Does To New York City, Rest Of Country
Schumer: Local Governments Are Doing Outstanding Job Responding To Suspected And Confirmed Cases
Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, in a personal letter, asked the head of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Richard Besser, MD, to ensure that communities in Upstate New York that have confirmed or suspected cases of swine influenza be provided with the same level of resources that are being provided to New York City and other locations around the country. Schumer noted that there has been a great deal of media attention focused on New York City and locations in other states, but that Upstate New York's needs, particularly in light of today's confirmed case in Cortland, cannot be left unmet.
Schumer said the CDC must ensure that Upstate communities have the necessary supplies for influenza testing, diagnosis and treatment, and that education and procedures are in place to maximize protection of both healthcare staff and patients. Schumer noted that local governments, New York State, and the CDC have done an outstanding job responding to potential and confirmed cases, but that in light of the rapidly evolving situation, the CDC should keep in close contact with local and state entities so that they can adjust their prevention strategies accordingly.
"The Center for Disease Control has shown itself to be a nimble and effective agency, but we must ensure that they are addressing the needs of communities across Upstate New York," said Schumer. "With at least one confirmed case of swine influenza in Upstate New York, it is particularly important that the CDC provide whatever resources are necessary to both treat and prevent new cases."
The CDC has been very effective in its response to the outbreak of swine influenza. The agency's goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC's Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. As of this afternoon, there have been a total of 91 cases of swine influenza reported in the United States, with 31 potential cases in Upstate New York and 1 confirmed case.
The full text of Senator Schumer's letter is below:
Richard Besser, MD
Acting Director
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
RE: HPV Vaccination Mandate for Immigrant Women and Girls
Dear Dr. Besser:
I am very concerned about suspected cases of swine influenza in Upstate New York and want to ensure that Upstate communities are appropriately equipped to continue to protect their population. As of this writing, there are 32 potential cases in Upstate New York, including two people with mild symptoms in Chautauqua County and one confirmed case in Cortland County. I write to urge you to work closely with the New York State Department of Health and county health departments in communities across Upstate New York to help combat this outbreak. I understand that the national situation is rapidly evolving, but I encourage you to keep in close contact with local and state entities so that they can adjust their prevention strategies accordingly.
Your agency has thus far been responsive and nimble, and I thank you for your response to date. I write to underscore the importance of monitoring and responding to communities like those in Upstate New York. As you know, we need to ensure that every health provider and facility across the state has the necessary supplies for influenza testing, diagnosis and treatment, and that education and procedures are in place to maximize protection of both staff and patients.
Working together is a necessary step to fight this strain of influenza, and prevent an epidemic. We must ensure that Upstate New York receives quick access to vital resources, and other necessary assistance from your agency and that each county receives the same level of consideration as other parts of the country that may have received more attention because of their highly publicized cases.
I therefore urge you to assist the affected counties in every way possible so they may quickly and efficiently manage and prevent future outbreaks.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Meghan Taira of my staff at 202.224.6542.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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