Apr 14, 2010
Official: Online activities hampered flu messaging
In comments to a panel reviewing the World Health Organization's (WHO's) pandemic response, Keiji Fukuda, MD, special influenza adviser to the director-general, said that the Internet and social networking sites complicated the WHO's flu messages, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported today. He said online tools sped the flow of flu news, but they also fueled speculation and misinformation that disrupted vaccination efforts. Communications is one of five core topics the review will cover.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=nw20100413222852816C654577
Apr 14 AFP story
College flu activity drops to lowest level since summer
Flu activity at US colleges dropped to its lowest level since August, when surveillance began, the American College Health Association (ACHA) said today. The increases seen in southeastern states in February and March are also easing. The attack rate last week was 1 case per 10,000 students, a decrease of 38% from the previous week. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported, and the ACHA saw no evidence of sustained transmission. Vaccine uptake held at 8%, where it has been for several weeks.
http://www.acha.org/ILI_Project/ILI_Surveillance.cfm/date=041410
Apr 14 ACHA surveillance report
Namibia reports first pandemic flu case
A laboratory in Namibia recent confirmed the country's first pandemic H1N1 case, a patient who had traveled with a group to Thailand, the Namibian reported. The illness is also suspected in a second patient who was with the group. Namibia's health minister expressed disappointment that the finding was first reported in the media before the case was reported to health officials. The country expects to launch its vaccine campaign in May with 220,000 doses from the WHO.
http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/national/full-story/archive/2010/april/article/kamwi-calls-for-responsible-action-against-h1n1
Apr 12 Namibian story
CDC publishes pediatric flu guide for hospitals
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a guide to coordinating pediatric care during a flu pandemic. The guide is based on a stakeholders meeting held in September. The book covers topics such as liaisons between hospitals, surge capacity assessment, alternate staffing, and triage, targeting both children's and general hospitals.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/healthcare/pdf/hospital_workbook.pdf
CDC workbook
