Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Monday, April 27, 2009

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Applauds Bi-National Effort to Contain Swine Flu

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today applauded New Mexico’s efforts to work across the border to address the outbreak of Swine Influenza.

The Border Influenza Sentinel Surveillance Network, a program created with funding from Bingaman’s U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission and established to improve bi-national health emergency preparedness and surveillance of pandemic flu, is expanding their surveillance and preparedness in response to Swine Influenza outbreak.

“We already had good bi-national flu monitoring, but in light of growing concerns of this latest outbreak health officials from both countries are re-doubling their efforts to monitor for swine flu,” Bingaman said.  “The efforts of Mexican and New Mexican public health officials are essential during this time and I applaud then for their quick actions and decisions in helping deal with this health concern.  This is a clear example of the importance of cross-border public health infrastructure.”

The Surveillance Network, spearheaded by the New Mexico Department of Health’s Office of Border Health, has established 5 sentinel surveillance sites at Chihuahua State Health Service clinics in Northern Chihuahua - 3 in Juarez, one in Nuevo Casas Grandes and one in Ojinaga.  Sentinel providers will increase vigilance for influenza-like illness and apply rapid tests provided them by the New Mexico Department of Health.

Bingaman has long-supported bi-national health efforts.  He is the author of legislation that created the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission.  He also wrote the Border Health Security Act, which aims to improve the infrastructure, access, and delivery of health care services to residents along the U.S.-Mexico border.