H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Six steps for next pandemic, skunk infections, duo test, Ontario's response, Melbourne attack rate

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jun 2, 2010

Group notes 6 challenges for next pandemic
An international committee released six public health policy challenges that it anticipates will continue for the next 12 to 18 months and will help shape and improve preparation for the next pandemic: measuring age-specific immunity to infection, accurately quantifying severity, improving treatment outcomes for severe cases, quantifying the effectiveness of interventions, capturing the full impact of the pandemic on mortality, and rapidly identifying and responding to antigenic variants.
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1000275
Jun 1 PloS Med commentary

H1N1 in skunks suggests wildlife transmission
In perhaps the first documented pandemic H1N1 infection in wild animals, researchers from British Columbia confirmed the virus in two skunks found dead at a mink farm, they reported in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Some minks had respiratory symptoms, but no testing was done. Farm workers did not report flu-like illness but could have had asymptomatic infections. Researchers said skunks could play a role in interspecies transmission and should be included in wildlife flu surveillance.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1606.100352
June Emerg Infect Dis letter

Test for H1N1, H5N1 could aid early diagnosis
Researchers from Beijing developed a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay that can simultaneously detect pandemic H1N1 flu and H5N1 avian flu. In a Virology Journal report today, they said early symptoms for both influenzas are similar, and a test to detect both could be useful for diagnosis and surveillance. In tests on 236 clinical specimens, they found the duplex test was as sensitive as each single-target test, and was even more sensitive for H5N1.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-7-113
Jun 2 Virol J study

Ontario notes pluses, minuses of H1N1 response
Ontario's chief medical officer reported today that the province responded well to pandemic flu but could benefit from better coordination to ensure services to all. Successes included getting vaccine to all who wanted it, reaching isolated villages, and collaboration between levels of government. Areas for improvement include better information on vaccine from the federal government, greater preparedness for mass immunization, and an ability to electronically track vaccine shipments and uptake.
http://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2010/06/ontario-responded-well-to-h1n1-pandemic-says-chief-medical-officer-of-health.html
Jun 2 Ontario Ministry of Health release

Melbourne attack rate lower than expected
Researchers who tested blood samples from 706 Melbourne residents from August to October found that 16% had antibodies to pandemic H1N1 flu. Assuming an estimated 6% prevalence rate of antibodies existing before the pandemic, they estimated a pandemic flu attack rate of 10% in adults. The authors concluded, "This community attack rate is lower than anticipated," and said the results underscore the importance of vaccination.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2010.00518.x
Jun 1 Aust NZ J Public Health 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. 'A national scandal': US excess deaths rose even after pandemic, far outpacing peer countries

    The United States has been in a "protracted health crisis" for decades, the researchers say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Grave markers with flowers

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

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

    Stephanie Soucheray

  4. FDA vaccine advisers recommend sticking with JN.1 strain for next COVID vaccines

    The group weighed considerations about newer variants and raised concerns that a strain recommendation might interface with the FDA's new proposed COVID vaccine framework.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman vaccinated

  5. Viewpoint: Making key COVID vaccine decisions without input, transparency is a public disservice

    Newly announced rules that limit the use of COVID vaccines suggest that federal officials are opposed to open discussion and transparency.

    Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisers
    COVID vaccine vial and syringe

  6. Family likely infected with histoplasmosis in bat-colonized cave

    They reported seeing bats and coming into contact with bat droppings while crawling through tight spaces during the 2-hour tour.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Bats in cave

  7. FDA approves formula for fall COVID vaccines

    The agency told vaccine makers that COVID-19 vaccines used in the US starting in fall 2025 should be based on JN.1 lineage strains, preferably the LP.8.1 strain.

    Chris Dall

  8. Multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to whole cucumbers

    The outbreak has sickened 26 people in 15 states and is linked to a grower and distributor in Florida.

    Chris Dall

  9. Vaccine Integrity Project says new FDA rules on COVID-19 vaccines show lack of consensus, clarity

    The VIP piece poses a number of questions to the FDA in light of the new rules. 

    Stephanie Soucheray
    covid vaccines

  10. Texas and Georgia announce more measles cases

    Georgia reported its fourth case, a resident of the Atlanta area who had traveled internationally. 

    Lisa Schnirring

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