This week Commissioner Auerbach convened the initial meeting of the Department’s statewide H1N1 Advisory Committee to review and discuss planning for a comprehensive response to Influenza A H1N1 in Fall 2009.  Participants included representatives from more that 36 public and private organizations, including the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Massachusetts Medical Society and many others. The Committee will meet monthly to advise the Department on H1N1 planning activities as we continue our planning for the upcoming flu season. 

We continue to see influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity at higher levels than we would normally see this time of year in Massachusetts.  However, ILI activity has decreased significantly over that past few weeks.

You can read our latest weekly report by clicking here:  Download Weekly Report

The CDC gave a media briefing on various H1N1 and seasonal influenza topics on July 24.  You can read a full transcript of the briefing by clicking here.