Jan 21, 2010
Pediatric flu deaths triple past 3 season average
In an overview of flu activity during the 2009-10 flu season that started Aug 30, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said pediatric deaths from the pandemic virus are three times higher than the average for the past three seasons. Flu activity peaked on Oct 24, much earlier than the February peaks of the most recent flu seasons. The CDC pointed out that multiple waves were seen during the three most recent pandemics, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5902a3.htm?s_cid=mm5902a3_x
Jan 22 MMWR article
WHO to write response to 'false pandemic' charges
In response to a request from India's health secretary, the World Health Organization (WHO) will write formal letters to all countries to clarify the facts about the H1N1 pandemic, to counter charges that the threat was exaggerated, the Indian government said in a statement yesterday. In requesting the WHO action, the Indian official said the reports of a "false pandemic" were hurting public health measures taken by governments. India also asked for more details about vaccine contracts.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=57124
Jan 20 Indian government statement
Massachusetts flu effort targets minority groups
Hoping to ease racial disparities in pandemic flu illness, Massachusetts officials said they will target $1 million of its federal funding toward community groups that can help promote vaccination in these groups. The state's public health officials have reported that the disease has taken a heavier illness, hospitalization, and death toll on black, Hispanic, and Asian groups.
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2pressrelease&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Public+Health&sid=Eeohhs2&b=pressrelease&f=100115_flu_illness&csid=Eeohhs2
Jan 15 Massachusetts health department release
Nigeria cites progress in securing vaccine
Following the first deaths and illnesses from pandemic H1N1 flu, Nigeria's health ministry said yesterday that it is in advanced talks with theWHO to receive the vaccine, AllAfrica news reported today. The ministry said Nigeria wasn't previously on the WHO's priority list because it had not detected any illnesses but now said the country could receive vaccine doses by February. Nigeria has confirmed two H1N1 deaths and eight illnesses.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201001210404.html
Jan 21 AllAfrica news story
