August 20, 2009
President’s Update on Influenza
Dear Chamber member:
As we all look forward to a busy fall, I wanted to share some important information with you regarding influenza and Greater Boston's workforce.
The Boston Public Health Commission anticipates that the upcoming flu season, typically from November to March, will be severe. In addition to the strains of influenza that circulate in the Boston community annually ("seasonal" flu), a new strain of influenza known as the H1N1 virus (formerly known as swine flu) was reported in Boston earlier this year. The CDC predicts that the H1N1 virus will circulate with the "seasonal" flu this year in Boston and surrounding communities. Vaccine against
the H1N1 virus is under development but currently unavailable.
However, in order to guard against the spread of the virus, the Commission is urging workers and their families to get vaccinated against "seasonal" flu and avoid contact with others (including going to work or school) when they are sick, particularly when they suffer from the flu or flu-like symptoms.
As part of the effort to protect Boston's workforce from an outbreak, Mayor Tom Menino will be hosting an Influenza Preparedness Summit this Friday, August 21. Planning partners from various sectors, including education, healthcare, business, religious and community-based organizations will join city and state officials to hear the latest situational update on seasonal and H1N1 influenza, review lessons learned from the spring novel H1N1 outbreak and exchange ideas to prevent and control influenza. For
more information on the summit, click here.
The Chamber is working with the Mayor's office and the Boston Public Health Commission to help spread the word and encourage the business community to guard against the spread of influenza. For more information on influenza and ways to protect your employees, click here.
As always, I welcome your questions and comments. Have a great holiday and we look forward to seeing you at one of our outstanding programs this fall.
Sincerely,
Paul Guzzi
President & CEO