H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Research priorities, possible placental transmission, infected animals, flu-fighting proteins

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Dec 17, 2009

Modelers list H1N1 research needs to help form policy
A World Health Organization working group of mathematical modelers has presented a list of research needs to help inform policy choices related to the H1N1 pandemic. Leading the list of data needs are serologic surveys to assess what proportion of the population remains susceptible to the virus, says the group's article in PLoS Currents. The group also calls for monitoring the time course of the incidence of severe cases to help assess the effects of steps such as school closures.
http://knol.google.com/k/maria-van-kerkhove/studies-needed-to-address-public-health/agr0htar1u6r/18#
PLoS Currents report

India suspects placental transmission of flu
A finding of H1N1 flu infection in a newborn, tested immediately after delivery because her mother was ill, has led Indian health authorities to suspect placental transmission of the flu virus, according to The Hindu newspaper. Placental transmission of influenza is thought to be rare but has been recorded with the H5N1 avian flu virus.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/17/stories/2009121758162000.htm
Dec 17 The Hindu report

Thailand, China report novel H1N1 in pigs, dogs
Two countries recently confirmed novel H1N1 viruses in animals: Thailand in pigs and China in pigs and two dogs, according to reports filed with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). All cases were detected during enhanced surveillance. The Thai outbreak involved piglets at a farm in Saraburi province. In China the virus was detected in pigs at a slaughterhouse in Heilongjiang province and in dogs at an animal hospital in Beijing.
http://www.oie.int/wahis/reports/en_imm_0000008666_20091217_123757.pdf
Dec 17 OIE report from China

Scientists identify natural flu-fighting proteins
Writing in Cell, Boston researchers report the discovery of a family of natural antiviral proteins that help protect human cells from influenza, dengue, and West Nile viruses. In human and mouse cells, the proteins, called interferon-inducible transmembrane (IFITM) proteins, prevented most virus particles from infecting cells or slowed their invasion. The proteins were active against the pandemic H1N1 virus and other flu strains, according to a Harvard Medical School press release.
http://download.cell.com/images/edimages/Cell/IEP/Brass.pdf
Cell report

This week's top reads

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    Stephanie Soucheray
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  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. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

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

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

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  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.

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

    Mary Van Beusekom
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  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.

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  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
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  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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