WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2013) –Reports say that this year may be the earliest and strongest outbreak of the flu in nearly a decade. Widespread in almost all 50 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are encouraging people to get the flu shot earlier than usual. George Washington University (GW) medicine and public health experts are available to comment on flu-related stories.

Below is a list of GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences infectious disease experts available to comment on preventative measures, infection and treatment of the flu. Please contact Lisa Anderson at [email protected] or 202-994-3121 to interview Drs. Simon, Siegel or Parenti.

Gary Simon, MD, PhD, Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vice Chairman, Department of Medicine, Walter G. Ross Professor of Medicine and of Microbiology & Tropical Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Marc Siegel, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

David Parenti, MD, Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Below is a list of GW School of Public Health and Health Services experts available to comment on flu trends and health policy regarding the spread of the flu. Please contact Kathy Fackelmann at [email protected] or 202-994-8354 to interview Dr. Simonsen or Professor Stewart.

Lone Simonsen, PhD, Research Professor in the Department of Global Health for the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services can talk about epidemiology of the flu, surveillance and other flu-related issues.

Alexandra M. Stewart, JD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services can talk about the need for health care workers to get flu shots. She can also talk about state laws that mandate that health care personnel get these shots to prevent influenza from spreading.