H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Deaths in India, antivirals via hotline, vaccine communication

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jul 6, 2010

India reports 16 more H1N1 deaths
India reported 16 pandemic-related deaths among 370 cases in the past week, according to the Hindustan Times today. The state of Kerala had 10 deaths, Maharashtra 4, and Andhra Pradesh 2. Also today, the country has started retailing its first domestically produced nasal-spray pandemic vaccine, Nasovac, made by Serum Institute and approved for those 4 years old and older. A domestically produced injectable vaccine was made available last month.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/16-swine-flu-deaths-in-one-week-indigenous-vaccine-on-stands/Article1-568059.aspx
Jul 6 Hindustan Times story

Only 12% of UK hotline antiviral users had H1N1
Almost 90% of the more than 1 million UK citizens who obtained antiviral drugs using Britain's pandemic flu hotline or Web site did not have novel H1N1 flu, according to BBC News. Of 16,560 people who used the service and were tested, only 1,932 (12%) had H1N1. The country's Patients Association has raised issues about the system, and the country's independent review of its pandemic response last week called for a complete review of the service.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/10491328.stm
Jul 4 BBC News report

Health-provider reminder aids vaccination
Only one third of US adults for whom seasonal flu vaccine is recommended knew they were in the target group, and this figure dropped to 30% for the pandemic H1N1 vaccine, according to a recent study. However, interaction with a healthcare provider raised those rates. For seasonal flu vaccine, the figure rose to 39% for those who had a recent provider visit and to 59% for those who received a fact sheet clarifying their status. For the H1N1 vaccine, the numbers rose to 32% and 56%, respectively.
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(10)00460-8/abstract?rss
Jul 2 Am J Infect Control abstract

This week's top reads

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    The most common symptom reported by healthcare workers was fatigue.

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  2. 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.

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  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.

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  4. 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. 

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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
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  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. 

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  8. Measles cases in Europe, the Americas skyrocket

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

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  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
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  10. Poll finds false measles claims gaining attention amid US outbreaks

    Though confidence in the vaccine remains high, KFF found that misinformation is sowing more doubts.

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