H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Campus cases wane, NPI studies needed, wasted vaccine, lung damage in fatal cases

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Mar 17, 2010

Flu activity on US campuses drops
Influenza-like illness (ILI) at US colleges dropped by more than half from the previous week, to an attack rate of 1.3 cases/10,000 students, in today's surveillance report from the American College Health Association (ACHA). Nationally, the reported disease incidence has remained below 5 cases/10,000 students for 3 months. "At this point we continue to see no definitive evidence of a third wave of ILI disease, even on a regional basis," said Dr. James C. Turner, president of the ACHA.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/?date=031710
Mar 17 ACHA surveillance report

Review: Better studies needed on nondrug measures
A review of 11 studies on the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in containing flu determined that "the data provide some evidence that face masks, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, reduced crowding, and school closures are effective in reducing the spread of influenza." The studies, however, had several limitations, including insufficient statistical power due to small sample size. The authors call for rigorous laboratory- and community-based studies to improve data collection.
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(10)00039-8/abstract
Mar 15 Am J Infect Control abstract

H1N1 vaccine could go unused in Australia
Australians are opting for newly available, broader seasonal flu vaccine rather than the monovalent H1N1 flu vaccine offered free of charge by the government. About 21 million doses of the latter were purchased; about 7 million have been distributed, and 2.1 million have been committed to developing countries. The vaccine has a shelf life of 12 months, raising concern that many doses will go to waste. H1N1 flu has hospitalized close to 5,000 Australians, with at least 190 deaths so far.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/swine-flu-jabs-may-be-wasted-20100316-qcle.html
May 17 The Age article

Study: Fatal H1N1 involves diffuse lung damage
Pathology findings in two patients who died after novel H1N1 infection showed diffuse alveolar damage, results the study's authors called similar to findings for seasonal flu. The first patient, a 36-year-old man, died 15 days after symptom onset and had alveolar damage with extensive alveolar bleeding. The second patient, a 46-year-old woman with alcoholism, was found unresponsive and died 4 days after admission. She had acute bronchopneumonia and diffuse alveolar damage.
http://ajcp.ascpjournals.org/content/133/3/380.abstract
Mar Am J Clin Pathol study abstract

Rwanda reports H1N1 contained
Most cases of flu now being reported in Rwanda are of the seasonal variety, including type B, which is common in the rainy season, according to health officials there. The number of H1N1 cases is decreasing significantly, and samples are no longer being sent routinely for laboratory diagnosis. Preventive measures, such as hand washing and covering coughs, continue to be encouraged. Rwanda saw its first case of H1N1 last October, and total cases number nearly 400, with no reported deaths.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003170041.html
Mar 16 The New Times article

This week's top reads

  1. FDA significantly limits COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

    Critics said today’s announcement is more evidence of the current administration’s willingness to undermine public trust in vaccines.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    FDA building

  2. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  3. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

  4. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  5. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

    Chris Dall
    Doctor treating child with measles

  6. Moderna pulls licensing submission for combo flu-COVID vaccine

    Moderna's combination vaccine was intended for adults 50 and older. 

    Stephanie Soucheray

  7. Mpox activity escalates in Sierra Leone

    Responding to the surge is a major focus, partly to prevent the spread to other West African countries. 

    Lisa Schnirring
    mpox virus

  8. FDA vaccine advisers recommend sticking with JN.1 strain for next COVID vaccines

    The group weighed considerations about newer variants and raised concerns that a strain recommendation might interface with the FDA's new proposed COVID vaccine framework.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman vaccinated

  9. 'A national scandal': US excess deaths rose even after pandemic, far outpacing peer countries

    The United States has been in a "protracted health crisis" for decades, the researchers say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Grave markers with flowers

  10. Viewpoint: Making key COVID vaccine decisions without input, transparency is a public disservice

    Newly announced rules that limit the use of COVID vaccines suggest that federal officials are opposed to open discussion and transparency.

    Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisers
    COVID vaccine vial and syringe

Our underwriters