Sep 29, 2009
CDC addresses liquid Tamiflu supply, dosing concerns
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday posted a notice about possible shortages of the pediatric liquid suspension oseltamivir (Tamiflu) as more states report widespread activity. The CDC said pharmacists may need to compound Tamiflu capsules into a liquid syrup to help fill the demand. Also, the CDC warned that the units on the liquid dosing dispenser have led to some confusion, and doctors and pharmacists need to ensure that their dosing instructions match.
Sep 25 CDC Health Alert Network notice
IOM issues report on standards of care for disasters
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released a report titled "Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations." As the name indicates, the 150-page report is designed to help public health officials and other healthcare personnel devise standards of care for use in disaster situations in which resources are scarce. The report uses two scenarios to illustrate the principles it presents: a gradual-onset flu pandemic and an earthquake.
IOM page with linked table of contents and general information
Report offers lessons from school closures in 1918 pandemic
Researchers who combed the records of 43 cities that closed schools during the 1918 flu pandemic found that closures worked best when there were clear lines of authority between agencies and good communication between school officials and the public, according to a report in Health Affairs. Usually, school closures were linked to community-wide steps such as quarantine, isolation, and public-meeting bans. The authors say that preparedness and dialogue are the key to smooth implementation.
Flu threat prompts suspension of school attendance incentive
School officials in Bismarck, N.D., have suspended an attendance incentive at the city's two public high schools to encourage students to stay home if they are sick, the Associated Press reported yesterday. The pandemic H1N1 virus is hitting schools in most states, though North Dakota is reporting localized flu activity, according to the latest national surveillance report. The incentive allows students to skip most final exams if they have no more than two excused absences and two tardies.
Ho Chi Minh City reports success with field hospital for H1N1 patients
Ho Chi Minh City's health department said an H1N1 field hospital that was set up in August has proved "immensely effective," according to the Vietnamese newspaper Thanh Nien. The 11-room hospital has treated 200 patients, some in critical condition. The health department is seeking permission to set up similar field hospitals in other parts of the city to relieve hospital overcrowding. Meanwhile, Vietnam's official H1N1 case count has reached 8,065, with 14 deaths, the story said.
Hungary approves H1N1 vaccine
Hungary's drug regulatory agency has approved the country's pandemic H1N1 vaccine, Dow Jones Newswires reported yesterday. Officials cleared the vaccine after clinical trials showed promising efficacy and safety results. The vaccine is made by Omninvest Kft, Hungary's only vaccine manufacturer. Based on the company's H5N1 avian flu vaccine, the pandemic H1N1 shot will be available within 2 weeks. The Hungarian government has ordered 4 million doses.
