Dr. Taypak, a health department staff member, told the Board of Health that this season’s seasonal influenza activity is significantly higher than previous years and that public‑health monitoring continues.

“In terms of seasonal influenza, we still are very much in the thick of it as you can see from the graph that I provided you compared to previous years, it's pretty striking,” Dr. Taypak said.

He reported that New York state had recorded 12 pediatric deaths this influenza season and described an international development: an initial FDA step forward on a poultry vaccine for avian influenza. He cautioned the vaccine may not address infection risk from backyard flocks unless it becomes available for noncommercial use.

“There is a poultry vaccine, that has been moved through initial stages of FDA approval,” Dr. Taypak said. “But we may be on the cusp of starting to see vaccination of poultry. Now that doesn't address backyard operations.”

Dr. Taypak also briefed the board about a measles outbreak in Texas that was approaching 100 cases at the time of the meeting and linked the outbreak to under‑vaccination. He cited hospitalization rates in the Texas cluster: roughly 25% overall and about 50% for children under 5.

“The bottom line is, that it's due to non vaccination,” he said. “The hospitalization rate for measles is significant… So becoming vaccinated continues obviously to be important.”

A board member asked whether measles sequelae such as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were included in death‑rate calculations. Dr. Taypak described SSPE as a delayed, progressive neurologic condition that can follow measles but said he was unsure whether the referenced statistics included SSPE‑related deaths.

No board action followed the disease briefing; the update served as situational awareness for board members and staff.