H1N1 NEWS SCAN: London's pandemic response, cases in India

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

London reviews its pandemic flu response
A report today from the London Assembly gave high marks to the local pandemic response, but listed several areas for improvement. The report, based on several meetings of health officials, said the pandemic plan should have considered a range of severity scenarios and that antiviral distribution points weren't evenly dispersed. Requests for data from multiple agencies sometimes overburdened local officials, and more efforts were needed to reach vulnerable groups and improve immunization rates.
http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/swine%20flu%20report%20final%20draft%2015%206%20(2).pdf
Jun 16 London Assembly pandemic report

India's health ministry to probe increase in cases
A team from India's health ministry will assess a rise in pandemic flu illnesses and deaths in Kerala state that occurred over the past month after a monsoon hit the area, Indo-Asian News Service reported yesterday. Since May 15, 201 cases and 16 deaths have been reported, of which 9 were pregnant women. An official said extra antiviral medication and vaccines are being deployed to the area. Four flu deaths were also recently reported from two other Indian states, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331250&catid=36
Jun 15 IANS story

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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