NIAID launches vaccine trials in HIV-infected groups
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) recently announced the launch of H1N1 vaccine trials in HIV-infected pregnant women and HIV-infected children and young adults. The trials are important because HIV infection and pregnancy increase the risk of a poor immune response to vaccines and because these groups have an increased risk of severe H1N1 illness, the NIAID said. Plans call for enrolling 130 pregnant women and 140 people aged 4 to 24 years in the two studies.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/Pages/H1N1HIVTrials.aspx
Oct 9 NIAID announcement
NBA prepares defense against pandemic flu
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has deployed several measures to respond to the pandemic flu threat, including hiring an infectious disease expert advisor, the <Orlando Sentinel reported today. The NBA has contingency plans for when games are canceled or when many players get sick. Players are urged to report illnesses immediately so team doctors can prescribe antiviral medication, and teams have installed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout their facilities.
http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=SPORTS&ID=565666524800876662
Oct 13 Orlando Sentinel story
EU works out vaccine-sharing proposals
European Union health ministers met yesterday to discuss how to make sure all member states have the tools to manage a surge of pandemic flu cases, EUobserver.com reported today. Some countries, such as Bulgaria and Malta, have few resources in their stockpiles. The officials asked the European Commission to develop a vaccine-sharing mechanism and draft a stance on sharing vaccine with needy countries outside the EU.
http://euobserver.com/9/28818
Oct 13 EUobserver.com story
H1N1 spreads from farmer to pig in Norway
A pig on a farm in Norway apparently caught the pandemic H1N1 virus from the farmer, according to a report that Norwegian veterinary authorities filed with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) yesterday. The farmer tested positive for the virus Oct 7, and the pig tested positive 3 days later, the report said. No other pigs in the herd of 850 were reported ill.
http://www.oie.int/wahis/reports/en_imm_0000008515_20091012_113459.pdf
Oct 12 OIE report
Emergency docs concerned about pandemic impact
Nearly 90% of emergency physicians who responded to a poll by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) voiced concern about their ability to take care of extra patients generated by the H1N1 pandemic, the ACEP reported. ACEP President Dr. Angela Gardner said emergency departments need more resources to help them prepare for the pandemic and other health crises. The online poll was sent to 20,464 emergency physicians, 1,043 of whom responded.
http://www.acep.org/pressroom.aspx?id=46838
Oct 13 ACEP news release
