Jul 24, 2009
Canadian employers see high H1N1-related absenteeism
Canadian employers are reporting "huge increases" in absenteeism tied to concerns about the H1N1 virus, according to Karen Seward of Shepell-fgi, a Canadian firm that provides health and productivity services to businesses. Seward said her company is getting many questions from employers about handling absences, according to a story in the Hamilton, Ont., Spectator. She said employers and public health officials are giving conflicting advice about when sick workers should see a doctor.
Britain's H1N1 cases soared last week
The United Kingdom's Health Protection Agency (HPA) estimated yesterday that the nation had 100,000 new cases of H1N1 flu in the past week, up from 55,000 the week before. The estimate is based on medical-visit rates for flu-like illness. Children up to age 14 were the age-group most affected, with people older than 65 showing much lower rates, the HPA said. Most cases continued to be mild.
[HPA pandemic flu update]
UK flu line hits glitch on first day
The Web component of Britain's national flu line, which launched yesterday alongside a telephone service, crashed yesterday after receiving about 9.3 million hits per hour, the London Telegraph reported today. The system was reportedly back online a short time later. The system is designed to relieve pressure on doctors' offices by diagnosing novel flu cases over the phone and issuing patients code numbers that allow them to obtain oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
[Jul 24 Telegraph story]
Canada clears Tamiflu use for infants
Canada's health ministry yesterday approved an interim order authorizing the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in children younger than 1 year, despite limited safety data, Canwest News Service reported yesterday. As in the United States, the drug previously had been approved only for use in patients older than 1. The Public Health Agency of Canada requested the action because infants seem to be at higher risk for novel H1N1 flu complications.
[Jul 23 Canwest News Service story]
FDA issues emergency authorization for H1N1 diagnostic test
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for another unlicensed diagnostic test for novel H1N1 flu. The test, made by Focus Diagnostics of Cypress, Calif., is the third H1N1 test to receive an EUA. The EUA allows the company to distribute the test to labs certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments to run highly complex tests. The test amplifies viral genetic material from nose or throat swabs or nasal discharges.
[Jul 24 FDA news release]
Kazakhstan reports first H1N1 cases
Kazakhstan yesterday reported its first three novel H1N1 cases, involving three students who were diagnosed after returning from London, according to a Reuters report based on an Interfax news service story.
[Jul 23 Reuters report]
