All News

Aug 31, 2009

(CIDRAP News) – Egyptian authorities have reported two more H5N1 avian influenza cases, both in children, raising the country's total for this year to 34, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported today.

Both patients have been treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and are in stable condition, the WHO said.

Aug 28, 2009

The race is on. The next few months will pit all of our preparedness planning (or lack thereof) against a novel H1N1 virus that is certain to sweep through northern hemisphere countries.

(CIDRAP News) – Novel H1N1 influenza outbreaks are starting to wane in the southern hemisphere, and while most cases are still mild, clinicians are reporting some severe cases of viral pneumonia in young, previously healthy people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.

(CIDRAP News) – Federal health officials today hosted a Web telecast to help pregnant women and new mothers prepare for an uptick in novel H1N1 flu infections, a day after a federal judge rejected an advocacy group's request to limit use of the H1N1 vaccine in pregnant women.

Aug 27, 2008 (CIDRAP News) – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today that the recent novel H1N1 influenza outbreak in turkeys in Chile points up the possibility of poultry outbreaks elsewhere, increasing the risk of H1N1 mixing with the more deadly H5N1 avian flu virus.

Judge rejects bid to ban use of some H1N1 vaccines in pregnant women

Aug 26, 2009

(CIDRAP News) – A White House expert advisory group's report on influenza preparedness on Aug 24 contained many recommendations, such as appointing a flu czar, but its illness and death projections seem to be drawing most of the public's attention.

(CIDRAP News) – If schoolchildren have to stay home for extended periods because of H1N1 flu, there are options for making sure they keep up their studies, the US Department of Education said yesterday.

Aug 25, 2009

(CIDRAP News) – A White House expert advisory group today released a report calling for the Obama Administration to accelerate novel H1N1 vaccination preparation for high-risk Americans and appoint a White House pandemic preparedness point person, among other recommendations.

August 24, 2009

(CIDRAP News) – An advisory committee today called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be ready to respond quickly to safety concerns that may emerge during this fall's novel H1N1 influenza vaccination campaign.

(CIDRAP News) – Federal health officials today said the first results of novel H1N1 vaccine trials—needed for determining the number and size of doses people will get—are expected in mid-September.

Two trials in adult and elderly volunteers started Aug 7 and are now almost fully enrolled, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), at a press teleconference.

(CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday released new guidelines for using antivirals to treat patients with novel H1N1 influenza infections, signaling a shift toward reserving the medications for people with severe infections and those at high risk for complications.

Another large insurer vows to cover H1N1 vaccine administration

Americans not worried about H1N1 but will get vaccine

(CIDRAP News) – Federal education and health officials today unveiled updated guidance to help colleges, universities, and other institutions prepare for the return of the novel H1N1 influenza virus to campuses this fall, where school administrators may face difficult challenges.