Poor nations not receiving vaccine
Though many nations have surplus H1N1 vaccine, much of it is not getting to developing nations, according to a New York Times story. So far, only two countries, Azerbaijan and Mongolia, have received vaccine. Afghanistan is slated to be next. About a month ago, the World Health Organization said it hoped to have shipped vaccine to 14 countries by now, of 95 nations that need it. Some of these countries are still experiencing significant pandemic cases and deaths.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/health/02flu.html
Feb 1 New York Times article
Summer camp containment efforts worked
A program of hand hygiene, surface cleaning, and targeted antiviral treatment contained H1N1 flu at a boys' summer camp in July 2009, says a new journal article. The program was launched after 12 boys attending the third camp session contracted flu. During the fourth 2-week session, only 3 of 171 campers tested positive for flu, an attack rate of 1.8%, far lower than cited at other summer camps. However, 57% of staff and 31% of campers who took an antiviral reported side effects.
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/2009.299?home
Feb 1 Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med report
Study: H1N1 can affect conjunctiva
Researchers in Hong Kong have found evidence that, although the pandemic H1N1 flu virus and seasonal flu viruses cause several comparable responses in the body, pandemic H1N1 has the distinct ability to replicate in the conjunctiva. The findings, published in the American Journal of Pathology, suggest subtle differences in H1N1's receptor-binding profile in human hosts and demonstrate an additional route of infection.
http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/abstract/ajpath.2010.091087v1
Jan 28 Am J Pathol abstract
Ontario probing illness in 17 vaccinees
Ontario's health ministry is investigating 17 serious illnesses that occurred after people received H1N1 flu vaccine, the Toronto Sun reported today. There were four cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and 13 anaphylactic reactions. Two GBS cases were in adults who received the vaccine from the same physician's office in Markham, Ont., the report said. GlaxoSmithKline recalled 170,000 doses of vaccine in Canada in November because allergic reactions were more common than expected.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/02/01/12701161.html
Feb 2 Toronto Sun report
UK to end pandemic hotline Feb 11
Because of waning flu activity, Britain's hotline for pandemic flu diagnosis and antiviral prescriptions will be shut down on Feb 11, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson announced in a letter to physicians. Donaldson said the service eased pressure on primary care physicians at the height of the pandemic, but flu-like illnesses and confirmed H1N1 cases now are less than half what they were before the service was launched. The service can be restored in 7 days if needed, he said.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/dr_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_111598.pdf
Donaldson letter
