H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Canada's 'flu buddy' plan, antivirals and kids, Pakistan's first case, Iraq sees flu threat from US troops, new antiviral

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Aug 10, 2009

Canada promotes 'flu buddy' preparedness

Health officials in Canada are urging citizens to find "flu buddies" to help care for them during the novel H1N1 pandemic, Canwest News Service reported on Aug 7. The Public Health Agency of Canada is urging people to check in on people who live alone or are vulnerable and help care for them or seek medical care if they are sick. The measure may help take some pressure off the health system and is among the general preparedness tactics that the agency will promote in the fall.
http://www.nationalpost.com/m/story.html?id=1870330&s=Home
Aug 7 Canwest News Service story

Review finds little benefit from antiviral use in children

An analysis of studies of the effects of oseltamivir and zanamivir for seasonal flu treatment and prophylaxis in children aged 12 and younger showed a small benefit, according to a study in today's issue of the British Medical Journal. The authors, who looked at seven studies, found that the drugs provided a small benefit by shortening illness duration and reducing household transmission, but they had little effect on asthma or antibiotic use. Vomiting was reported in children who took oseltamivir.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/339/aug10_1/b3172
Aug 10 BMJ abstract

Pakistan confirms first novel flu case

Pakistan's health ministry today reported the country's first novel H1N1 case, according to Xinhua, China's state news agency. The patient is 1 of 25 people with suspected cases undergoing treatment. No other details were available. The health minister revealed the case in a speech to Pakistan's parliament.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/10/content_11858801.htm
Aug 10 Xinhua story

Iraq sees flu threat from US troops

As the US military reported yesterday that 51 American soldiers in Iraq have novel H1N1 flu and 71 others may have the illness, Iraqi health officials expressed concern that the US troops could spread the disease, the New York Times reported yesterday. Members of the Iraqi parliament said Iraqi soldiers serving alongside US troops could spread the virus into Iraq. A health official claimed US soldiers aren't screened for the virus and that their 2-week visits home pose disease risks.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/world/middleeast/10iraq.html?_r=1
Aug 9 New York Times story

Trials of long-acting antiviral show promise

The Australian drug company Biota today reported positive phase 3 study results from Asian countries of its new antiviral medication laninamivir, a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor. In adults, a single inhaled dose of the new drug was as effective as oseltamivir taken twice a day for 5 days. Similar trials in children showed the drug was safe and effective. Preclinical studies suggested that the new antiviral is effective against seasonal H5N1 and pandemic H1N1 viruses.
http://www.biota.com.au/uploaded/154/1021542_25laniphaseiiiclinicaltri.pdf
Aug 10 Biota press release

This week's top reads

  1. FDA significantly limits COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

    Critics said today’s announcement is more evidence of the current administration’s willingness to undermine public trust in vaccines.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    FDA building

  2. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  3. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

  5. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  6. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

    Chris Dall
    Doctor treating child with measles

  7. Texas announces more measles cases, including first in Dallas area

    Two cases near the Dallas area are now included in the large outbreak, which now totals 717 cases.

    Lisa Schnirring

  8. Moderna pulls licensing submission for combo flu-COVID vaccine

    Moderna's combination vaccine was intended for adults 50 and older. 

    Stephanie Soucheray

  9. Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster

    Since 2023, the country has ramped up MERS-CoV testing as part of sentinel surveillance.

    Lisa Schnirring
    hospital isolation

  10. Mpox activity escalates in Sierra Leone

    Responding to the surge is a major focus, partly to prevent the spread to other West African countries. 

    Lisa Schnirring
    mpox virus

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