H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Vaccine-related fraud, Lunar New Year precautions, lung damage, drive-through clinics

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jan 14, 2010

CDC warns about vaccine-related fraud
Questions and answers about fraud and abuse related to H1N1 vaccine were posted online yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The information is designed to help state and local immunization programs report abuses, such as charging for the vaccine (which is provided free by the federal government, though providers can charge for administering it) or selling the vaccine or ancillary supplies provided by the government.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/h1n1_fraud_abuse.htm
CDC question-and-answer bulletin

China urges Lunar New Year precautions
To limit the spread of H1N1 during the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, China's health ministry is urging people at risk for H1N1 complications to get vaccinated and avoid using public transportation during the holidays, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported today. The ministry specifically mentioned pregnant women, children, the elderly, obese people, and those with chronic diseases. The travel period lasts from Jan 30 to Mar 10, with Lunar New Year's Day on Feb 14.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/33954
Jan 14 AFP story

Permanent H1N1 lung damage reported
Some H1N1 patients in Finland suffered permanent lung damage from their infections, according to a Finnish Broadcasting Corp. (YLE) report. The patients had viral pneumonia, which caused their lungs to fill with fluid and left them with fibrosis after they recovered. At Kuopio University Hospital, all patients who were in the pulmonary ward for H1N1 will be brought back for further testing. The story did not specify how many patients suffered permanent damage.
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/01/swine_flu_caused_permanent_lung_damage_in_some_1367397.html
Jan 14 YLE report

Drive-through clinics proposed for triage
A drive-through clinic for patient triage may be a useful method to reduce emergency-room crowding and disease spread during a flu pandemic, according to Stanford University physicians. The researchers set up a simulated drive-through clinic in a parking ramp and used charts from real patients who had flu-like illness to create patient scenarios. Participating physicians accurately identified patients who were admitted and discharged. The median length of stay was 26 minutes.
http://www.annemergmed.com/webfiles/images/journals/ymem/eaweiss.pdf
Annals of Emergency Medicine report

This week's top reads

  1. 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

  2. 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

  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. 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

  5. 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

  6. Measles cases in Europe, the Americas skyrocket

    Almost 90% of the European cases were reported in Romania.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles vax

  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. H5N1 avian flu surges in Idaho's dairy cattle

    There are currently 59 herds quarantined in 4 Idaho counties.

    Lisa Schnirring

  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. HHS, NIH announce universal vaccine platform, promote placebo trials for new vaccines

    The Wall Street Journal reports the Trump administration is investing $500 million in the universal vaccine project.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    flu vax

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