H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Risks for hospitalization, Tamiflu and virus shedding, vaccine updates

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Hospitalizations strongly linked to chronic conditions
Among patients hospitalized for pandemic H1N1, 85% of adults and 65% of children had one or more underlying medical conditions, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The types of underlying conditions associated with H1N1 hospitalizations haven't changed much, with asthma as the most common condition in adults, followed by diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In children, asthma and neurodevelopmental conditions topped the list.
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/eip_underlying_conditions.htm
Feb 24 CDC Q and A

Study: Early Tamiflu treatment shortens H1N1 shedding
In a study designed to track the response of pandemic flu to oseltamivir, researchers from Singapore followed a series of 70 hospitalized patients early in the outbreak with daily polymerase chain reaction tests. They reported their findings yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases. They found prolonged viral shedding in healthy young adults despite treatment, but those who received the drug within the first 3 days of illness had a shorter shedding duration.
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/651083
Feb 24 Clin Infect Dis abstract

Bulgaria to start vaccinating risk groups
Bulgaria is set to launch its pandemic H1N1 vaccine campaign on Mar 1, targeting 80,000 doses to priority groups, including babies older than 6 months with certain medical conditions, pregnant women, and healthcare workers, Sofia News Agency reported. The start of the program comes about 3 months after flu activity subsided in Bulgaria. The health ministry is asking doctors to recommend the vaccine to patients at high risk for flu complications.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=113553
Feb 24 Sofia News Agency story

U of Colorado urges vaccination before spring break
The student health service at the University of Colorado's Boulder campus is encouraging students to receive their pandemic H1N1 vaccine before traveling for spring break, the Colorado Daily student newspaper reported. The school is hosting a series of free vaccine clinics for students, staff, and faculty over the next week. To lure more students, health officials are offering a drawing for one of two iPod Nanos.
http://www.coloradodaily.com/cu-boulder/ci_14465043#axzz0gYrTtIaZ
Feb 24 Colorado Daily story

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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