City Council holds swine flu hearing

The City Council on Thursday held a hearing to gauge the city's response to the swine flu outbreak. Joseph Bruno, commissioner of the city's Department of Emergency Management, testified that the outbreak

News 12 Staff

Jun 12, 2009, 3:23 AM

Updated 5,566 days ago

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The City Council on Thursday held a hearing to gauge the city's response to the swine flu outbreak.
Joseph Bruno, commissioner of the city's Department of Emergency Management, testified that the outbreak has already cost the city $10 million. Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley says the health department alone has spent $4 million.
The testimony comes on the heels of the World Health Organization declaring a swine flu pandemic, as infections climb to nearly 30,000 cases worldwide. There have been 15 swine flu-related deaths in the city so far, three of which were announced Wednesday.
United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten testified at the hearing that the death of a Brooklyn student last week was related to swine flu.
Weingarten says the student, who attended Urban Assembly School for Criminal Justice, had underlying health issues. A representative from the Department of Education says the school will not be closed.
AP wire services were used in this report.