H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Global activity low, New Zealand attack rate, vaccine in Europe, diagnostic test

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jun 4, 2010

Global H1N1 activity continues decline
The World Health Organization (WHO) today reported "active but declining" pandemic H1N1 transmission in parts of the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, with much of the rest of the world remaining quiet. The WHO also said the Southern Hemisphere is showing no evidence of the onset of the winter flu season but mentioned limited, localized pandemic flu activity in Chile. It also specified low but significant levels of predominantly seasonal H3N2 flu in several countries of East Africa.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_06_04/en/index.html
Jun 4 WHO update

New Zealand infection rates surprise officials
An estimated 18% of the population of New Zealand were infected by pandemic H1N1 from November 2009 through March 2010, including 1 in 3 children aged 5 to 19 years and 1 in 4 preschoolers. Results of the study, commissioned by the country's ministry of health, showed far higher rates than expected. About 45.2% of infected individuals had no symptoms. Age was found to be the most important risk factor. The current prevalence of H1N1 immunity in the New Zealand population is estimated at 29%.
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-update-188-040610
Jun 4 New Zealand ministry of health release

One fifth of European vaccine used
Only about a fifth of the more than 179 million doses of H1N1 vaccine distributed in Western Europe have been used, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said in a report. Three major drug companies accounted for the doses, with GlaxoSmithKline accounting for 131.7 million doses, Novartis with 36 million, and Baxter with 11.7 million. Safety concerns and milder-than-expected illness decreased demand for vaccine in some European countries, the report said.

Diagnostic kit effective for novel H1N1
A monoclonal antibody kit to detect the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus by indirect immunofluoresce assay showed 100% agreement with the real-time polymerase chain reaction panel used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The kit, made by Diagnostic Hybrids, does not detect any of 14 seasonal H1N1 or H3N2 influenza prototype virus strains nor is it reactive with seven other respiratory viruses.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20519459
Jun 2 J Clin Microbiol abstract

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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