Flu on US campuses stays level
Flu-like illness activity held at low levels on US college campuses last week, though regional activity continued in the Southeast, which was consistent with what federal officials observed, the American College Health Association (ACHA) said today. The attack rate was 1.5 cases/10,000 students, up just 0.2 cases/10,000 students from the previous week. The ACHA said it still sees no sign of a third wave and that it's unclear if flu activity will rise when students return from spring break.
http://www.acha.org/ILI_Project/ILI_Surveillance.cfm
Mar 24 ACHA surveillance report
Aboriginal ethnicity cited as risk factor in Canadian kids
A comparison of children treated in nine Canadian pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) with all kids hospitalized in Canada with flu during the first pandemic wave revealed that those with underlying conditions and from aboriginal groups were more likely to have severe illness. The report, published by Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, said ICU patients typically had severe respiratory failure and prolonged mechanical ventilation, but mortality rates didn't exceed those for seasonal flu.
http://journals.lww.com/pccmjournal/Abstract/publishahead/Critical_illness_in_children_with_influenza.99601.aspx
Mar 19 Ped Crit Care Med abstract
Cambodia receives vaccine from WHO
Cambodia's health ministry has received 300,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine from the World Health Organization (WHO), and a vaccination campaign may begin immediately, the Phnom Penh Post reported today, quoting Dr. Nima Asgari of the WHO. The doses received so far are intended for at-risk populations in four provinces, and more doses are on the way for other provinces, Asgari said. A Mar 18 report by the health ministry said Cambodia has had 566 H1N1 cases with 6 deaths.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010032434121/National-news/swine-flu-vaccinations-set-to-begin-amid-global-warnings.html
Mar 24 Phnom Penh Post report
