Recent News

Laboratory Testing Confirms Baltimore Child Does Not Have Measles

Jan 29th, 2015

The Baltimore City Health Department learned today that laboratory testing has confirmed that a 12-month-old Baltimore City resident does not have measles.  “We are very glad that this child doesn’t have measles,” said Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner. “This should be a wake-up call, however, for any parents or caregivers who have not had their children immunized.  Getting children vaccinated against all types of preventable diseases protects not only that child, but everyone around them.”

Let’s talk about Communicable Diseases!

Jan 29th, 2015

With so many public health emergencies being “in the news” lately across the globe – such as ebola, the flu and measles,  we sat down with staff from  the Baltimore City Health Department Office of Acute Communicable Diseases to learn more about their day-to-day operations and what it takes to be a health investigator in Baltimore.

"Health Commissioner Urges Cold Weather Safety Following Two City Weather-Related Deaths"

Jan 28th, 2015

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen is reminding Baltimoreans to take the cold temperatures seriously in light of two recent cold-weather related deaths in the city. Baltimore’s first cold weather death was a homeless man in the 18-44 age group which occurred on January 6, 2015.  The second death, of an elderly resident who was living in a home with no heat or electricity, occurred on January 24, 2015.   

"Treatment of Overdose Will Cost Cities Less" (New York Times - January 26, 2015)

Jan 26th, 2015

The Clinton Foundation on Monday announced that it had negotiated a lower price for an emergency treatment that can prevent overdoses with a company that makes it. The soaring cost of the treatment has constrained its widespread use by municipalities across the country.

"New Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana Wen On Her Public Health Priorities" (WYPR Maryland Morning, January 26, 2015)

Jan 26th, 2015

Dr. Leana Wen is so new as Baltimore’s health commissioner that she hasn’t yet been confirmed by the City Council – that’s expected to take place this afternoon. She brings an impressive resume the public-health job: she started college at age 13, 5 years after she immigrated with her parents from Shanghai, China; she was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, has written a book, and taught and practice emergency-room medicine at George Washington University – all by age 31. We wanted to learn how she’ll bring that intimidating background to bear on improving Baltimore’s public health. She joins Sheilah in the studio.

Health Commissioner Declares Code Blue Alert In Baltimore For Tuesday & Wednesday

Jan 26th, 2015

With predicted low temperatures and wind chills for Tuesday and Wednesday in the teens, Leana Wen, M.D., Health Commissioner for Baltimore City, is declaring a Code Blue for January 27 & 28.

Baltimore City Health Department Investigating Possible Measles Case

Jan 24th, 2015

The Baltimore City Health Department is investigating a possible measles case in a 12-month-old Baltimore City resident.   There has not been a documented case of measles in Baltimore City in the last decade; Baltimore has high vaccination rates, with nearly 99 percent of public school children being vaccinated.

"Baltimore City Health Department Investigating Possible Measles Case" (WJZ - January 24, 2015)

Jan 24th, 2015

 It’s the most deadly childhood virus, and it could be right in our area. The Baltimore City Health Department investigates a 12-month-old girl who potentially has the measles.

"Possible measles case being investigated in Baltimore" (Baltimore Sun - January 24, 2015)

Jan 24th, 2015

The Baltimore Health Department is investigating a possible measles case in a 12-month-old child — which could be the first documented case in the city in the last decade. Health officials said they were acting "out of an abundance of caution," but noted that the child might have had a reaction to a vaccine given earlier in the month.

"City Officials Investigate Possible Measles Case" (WBAL Radio - January 24, 2015)

Jan 24th, 2015

The Baltimore Health Department says it is investigating a possible case of measles in a baby girl. The health department said Saturday that, if confirmed, this would be Baltimore's first measles case in the last decade. Baltimore has a 99-percent  vaccination rate with nearly all public school students being vaccinated. 

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