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. 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. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

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

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

    Stephanie Soucheray

  8. Flu vaccine efficacy 41% overall and 26% in older adults, per 2023-24 estimates

    Estimated effectiveness was 68% against influenza B and 32% against type A.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Flu shot going into arm

  9. 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

  10. Testing ties Listeria outbreak to ready-to-eat sandwiches

    An earlier investigation hinted at hospital food as a source, but evidence didn't reveal a specific item.

    Lisa Schnirring

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