H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: More evidence of gaps in business planning, funding for peramivir, hospital needs tents outside ER

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Survey finds businesses see flu risk but have planning gaps
A survey of 400 companies by the British law firm DLA Piper revealed that about half of them believe they are at high or very high risk for disruptions caused by the next wave of pandemic flu, the Financial Times reported yesterday. About 80% said they were reviewing their continuity plans, but only slightly more than half had communicated the strategies to employees, customers, or suppliers. About 75% said they had no plans to modify employee policies.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ac1bba70-a645-11de-8c92-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
Sep 21 Financial Times story

BioCryst nets federal funding to further peramivir development
BioCryst said it has received $77.2 million from the US government to continue late-stage development of its intravenous antiviral medication peramivir, Reuters reported yesterday. The company said it has also received a request for proposal to supply the government with between 1,000 and 40,000 courses of the experimental drug, which, if an emergency use authorization is granted, could be used to treat critically ill flu patients.
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSBNG28445620090921
Sep 21 Reuters story

Hospital sets up tents to handle flu surge
Authorities at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, Tex., set up tents outside its emergency department to start triaging some patients with less severe flu-like illnesses today, the Austin Statesman reported. The hospital has seen a steady increase in flu patients, and daily numbers over some of the past few days have exceeded 300. The hospital made the decision on Sep 20 to open the tents after 343 patients swamped the hospital.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/09/22/0922swineflu.html
Sep 22 Austin Statesman story

New York doctor wins H1N1 video message contest
Dr. John Clarke of Baldwin, N.Y., won the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 2009 H1N1 public service announcement contest, HHS said today. More than 50,000 YouTube viewers voted for Clarke's video. He will receive a $2,500, and the video will be broadcast on national television. "I want to congratulate Dr. Clarke, the 'hip hop doc,' for producing his creative and engaging video. His work will reach millions of Americans this flu season," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/09/20090922a.html
Sep 22 HHS press release

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

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