Jul 30, 2010
Study shows lower fitness, transmission in drug-resistant H1N1
Researchers studied closely matched isolates of pandemic H1N1 in ferrets and found the oseltamivir (Tamiflu)-resistant strain to not transmit efficiently via droplets but to transmit well via direct contact. The oseltamivir-sensitive strain transmitted well via both routes. Although both strains caused a similar disease course, they found signs of lower viral fitness in the resistant strain. The authors said drug-resistant strains must continue to be closely monitored.
http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1001022?rss
Jul 29 PLoS Pathog study
Australians show resistance to some prevention efforts
An Australian study comparing attitudes during the pandemic with those 2 years prior showed increased hand washing but a drop in willingness to comply with certain prevention efforts. About 47% reported increased hand washing, and 28% reported increased covering of coughs and sneezes. The percent willing to be quarantined stayed about the same, but willingness to avoid public events and social gatherings for a month and to wear a mask in public dropped over the 2 years.
http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/8/1211.htm
Aug Emerg Infect Dis study
H1N1 hit Down syndrome patients hard
Mexican researchers compared more than 200,000 cases of flu-like severe acute respiratory illness during the pandemic with 60 patients with Down syndrome who reported the same flu-like symptoms in the same period. They found that those with Down syndrome were 16 times more likely to be hospitalized, eight times more likely to require intubation, and 335 times more likely to die from the disease. They recommend vaccination and early antiviral treatment in this group.
http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/8/1312.htm
Aug Emerg Infect Dis study
