H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Activity up at some colleges, New Zealand shots start, Ig deficiency may predict flu severity, Czech official has flu, concern over flu at Olympics

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Feb 3, 2010

 

Flu activity up slightly at some US colleges
Flu activity was up a bit at colleges last week, though the levels haven't changed significantly over the past 6 weeks, consistent with the decreasing national trend, the American College Health Association (ACHA) said today in its latest update. The attack rate was 2.6 per 10,000 students, about 15% higher than the previous week. No new deaths or hospitalizations were reported. Overall vaccine uptake remained at 9%, but rates were as high as 40% in some states.
http://www.acha.org/ILI_Project/ILI_Surveillance.cfm
ACHA report for the week ending Jan 29

New Zealand begins H1N1 vaccination
New Zealand, which saw some of the earliest deaths from H1N1 influenza during its 2009 winter flu season, has received its first doses of H1N1 vaccine and is scheduling a national shot campaign. The first recipients of the 1 million doses will be health workers, pregnant women, young children, and the chronically ill. The Southern Hemisphere country is concerned that the virus may return from the Northern Hemisphere and trigger an earlier than usual flu season.
http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/health-workers-line-up-vaccine-3347994
Feb 3 ONE News report

Immunoglobulin deficiency may predict flu outcome
Australian researchers say they have identified an immune-system protein that may play a key role in determining the severity of H1N1 flu infection. Among patients hospitalized with H1N1 flu, there was a correlation between severity of symptoms and deficiency in immunoglobulin G2, which supports early response to infection. The authors say that may explain the seriousness of H1N1 flu in pregnant women, because pregnancy mutes immune responses, and may point to a predictive test or treatment.
Feb 1 Clinical Infectious Diseases abstract
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/650462

Czech Republic health chief contracts flu
Michael Vit, chief health officer of the Czech Republic, told media in that country that he is home sick with a flu infection that is presumed to be H1N1 influenza, according to Reuters. Vit oversaw flu vaccinations for key members of the government but missed his own because of an overseas trip, the news service said. Vit’s ministry led recently abandoned plans for mandatory vaccination of the Czech armed forces.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE61124E.htm
Feb 2 Reuters report

CDC warns about flu at Vancouver Olympics
With the 2010 Olympic Winter Games set to begin in Vancouver, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a set of travel tips it calls "Stop, wash and go." The agency recommends that attendees receive H1N1 flu vaccine before leaving, delay their departures if they feel unwell, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash their hands frequently. It also suggests taking a travel health kit containing hand sanitizer, tissues, and pain and fever medications.
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100202.htm
Feb 2 CDC travel advice

This week's top reads

  1. Studies detail high rates of long COVID among healthcare, dental workers

    The most common symptom reported by healthcare workers was fatigue.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    health worker in mask

  2. Top virologists urge world leaders to act on rising avian flu threat

    Global Virus Network scientists highlight the need for robust surveillance, enhanced biosecurity, and readiness for potential human-to-human viral transmission.

    Mary Van Beusekom

  3. CIDRAP launches Vaccine Integrity Project to help safeguard US vaccine use

    The steering committee will make recommendations on how non-governmental groups can help ensure that vaccine use is evidence-based.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    MMR vaccine vial on table

  4. Long COVID has unique symptoms, persistence not seen in flu, pneumonia, research suggests

    With increasing time since diagnosis, only the severe infections continued to cause symptoms. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Older man wiping brow

  5. US measles cases climb higher, approach 900

    Thirty states have cases, and 83% of infections are part of outbreaks, the largest centered  in West Texas.

    Lisa Schnirring
    young boy with measles

  6. USDA withdraws proposal to reduce Salmonella in poultry

    The Biden-era rule would have prevented the sale of raw chicken or turkey with certain levels or strains of Salmonella.

    Chris Dall
    Raw poultry in processing plant

  7. Tick-borne meat allergy may be related to urbanization in mid-Atlantic US

    The study identified open-space development and low population density as risk factors for Alpha-gal syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Lone star tick

  8. Measles cases in Europe, the Americas skyrocket

    Almost 90% of the European cases were reported in Romania.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles vax

  9. 'On the precipice of disaster': Measles may be endemic in 25 years if vaccine uptake stays low, model predicts

    A 10% decline in vaccine uptake could lead to 11.1 million cases of the highly contagious illness in that timeframe.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Measles virus

  10. Poll finds false measles claims gaining attention amid US outbreaks

    Though confidence in the vaccine remains high, KFF found that misinformation is sowing more doubts.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman scrolling on phone

Our underwriters