H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Effect on business planning; cases in Australia, India; adjuvanted vaccine in kids; Mexico steps down

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jun 30, 2010

Business planners withstand global response complaints
In the wake of criticisms, mainly from European politicians, that global health officials overreacted to the H1N1 pandemic, Continuity Central conducted an online poll of its business continuity readership. Of 99 respondents, 26% said their pandemic planning efforts have been ridiculed and 52% said they had not. Also, 23% said their organizations now have less respect for preparedness efforts, while 71% reported no drop in respect. Some said their plans are on hold or have been shelved.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0794.html
Jun 30 Continuity Central report

Outbreak reported in Australia's Northwest Territories
At least 29 pandemic H1N1 cases have been reported in recent days in Nhulunbuy, a town in Australia's Northwest Territories (NT). The NT Centre for Disease Control confirmed the cases and urged high-risk groups to get vaccinated, according to an NT News story. Prior to this outbreak, only 2 cases had been reported in the territory.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/06/30/160251_ntnews.html
Jun 30 NT News story

Another state in India reports H1N1 cases
Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, has reported pandemic flu cases. "In Tamil Nadu, 21 persons who were affected by H1N1 were admitted and getting treatment in various hospitals," state Health Minister M. R. K. Panneerselvam said, adding that the state was screening travelers at its borders and had adequate antivirals, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). The neighboring states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have been among the hardest hit.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/750396_21-swine-flu-cases-in-Tamil-Nadu
Jun 29 PTI report

Adjuvanted vaccine shows promise in young kids
Spanish researchers conducting a trial of GlaxoSmithKline's adjuvanted pandemic H1N1 vaccine in children ages 6 to 35 months found that one dose was highly immunogenic and safe, according to a study in Vaccine. The trial included 157 children who received two standard doses or a higher-dose formulation 21 days apart. The first doses in both groups produced similar robust responses that exceeded European regulatory criteria. Reactions were more common after the second dose.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.06.065
Jun 29 Vaccine study

Mexico ends pandemic alert
Mexico lifted its alert for pandemic H1N1 flu yesterday, officially ending the health emergency that began 14 months ago in that country, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Secretary of Health Jose Angel Cordova said only 10% of influenza cases in May were pandemic flu, down from 90% in October. Mexico has officially logged 72,546 H1N1 cases and 1,289 deaths, the last in May.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2012239791_swineflu30.html
Jun 29 AP article

This week's top reads

  1. Studies detail high rates of long COVID among healthcare, dental workers

    The most common symptom reported by healthcare workers was fatigue.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    health worker in mask

  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.

    Mary Van Beusekom

  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. 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

  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.

    Lisa Schnirring
    young boy with measles

  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
    Raw poultry in processing plant

  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. Measles cases in Europe, the Americas skyrocket

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

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles vax

  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. 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.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman scrolling on phone

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