H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Dominant clade, Hong Kong uptick, vaccine news

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Mar 4, 2010

Study: One H1N1 clade pushed out others
A genetic study of pandemic H1N1 viruses by Italian researchers today suggests that several H1N1 clades circulated early in the epidemic but that one clade (clade 7) replaced the others and has predominated through most of the pandemic. The authors concluded, however, that it's not clear whether the shift to a single-clade pattern had a clinical impact or gave the virus a transmissibility advantage. The report appears in Public Library of Science (PLoS) Currents.
http://knol.google.com/k/maria-beatrice-valli/evolutionary-pattern-of-pandemic/ql0y91xwcxnj/1?collectionId=28qm4w0q65e4w.1&position=1#
Mar 4 PLoS Currents study

Hong Kong reports flu uptick
The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today reported a slight increase in cases of influenza-like illness (ILI). ILI cases increased from 42.8 to 55.1 per 1,000 office visits over the preceding week. The CHP also reported 23 institutional outbreaks, compared with 3 in each of the previous 2 weeks. And the number of respiratory samples that tested positive for flu rose to 85 from 44 the week before. About a fourth of the isolates were pandemic H1N1, and more than 60% were influenza B.
http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/cdw_v7_05_686799.pdf
Mar 4 CHP report

UK eyes H1N1 vaccine for southbound travelers
British vaccine advisors are considering advising those traveling to the Southern Hemisphere during its upcoming flu season to receive the pandemic H1N1 vaccine in addition to the seasonal version, Healthcare Republic, a UK-based publication, reported today. The Southern Hemisphere's flu season typically runs from May through October. The Department of Health said it is exploring ways to implement the flu vaccine advice.
http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/news/rss/987637/DoH-considers-swine-flu-vaccine-travellers
Mar 4 Healthcare Republic story

VA study reports effective flu biosurveillance
In a study today, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported that it effectively used an electronic biosurveillance system for tracking and monitoring influenza trends. The system, called Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE), effectively tracked trends for seasonal flu as well as the rise in cases at the start of the H1N1 pandemic. The authors said it could serve as an important alerting tool.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0009533
Mar 4 PLoS One report

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. 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

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

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

    Stephanie Soucheray

  4. 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

  5. FDA vaccine advisers recommend sticking with JN.1 strain for next COVID vaccines

    The group weighed considerations about newer variants and raised concerns that a strain recommendation might interface with the FDA's new proposed COVID vaccine framework.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman vaccinated

  6. 'A national scandal': US excess deaths rose even after pandemic, far outpacing peer countries

    The United States has been in a "protracted health crisis" for decades, the researchers say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Grave markers with flowers

  7. Viewpoint: Making key COVID vaccine decisions without input, transparency is a public disservice

    Newly announced rules that limit the use of COVID vaccines suggest that federal officials are opposed to open discussion and transparency.

    Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisers
    COVID vaccine vial and syringe

  8. Family likely infected with histoplasmosis in bat-colonized cave

    They reported seeing bats and coming into contact with bat droppings while crawling through tight spaces during the 2-hour tour.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Bats in cave

  9. Multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to whole cucumbers

    The outbreak has sickened 26 people in 15 states and is linked to a grower and distributor in Florida.

    Chris Dall

  10. Researchers report mpox DNA, live virus on surfaces and in air from patients' rooms

    On viral culture, 4 of 21 environmental samples (19%) contained infectious virus.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Sink and faucet in hospital room

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