H1N1 NEWS SCAN: WHO delays phase decision, serious cases in Northern Hemisphere

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jul 14, 2010

WHO delays decision on pandemic phase
The expert committee advising the World Health Organization (WHO) on whether to lower the pandemic alert level from phase 6 might not meet till August, according to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) story today. It had originally planned to meet in mid July. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the committee will wait to see what happens in the Southern Hemisphere, which usually sees its peak influenza activity in August. "I expect the committee to meet at the end of July or in August," she said.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i6kCX9VSnVYbzep1CkKCjrzgVI-A
Jul 14 AFP report

Northern Hemisphere nations saw substantial hospitalizations
Studies on the H1N1 pandemic in the Northern Hemisphere showed considerably high hospitalization, intensive care (ICU), and death rates, according to a meta-analysis in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (EJCMID). Among evaluated cases in 35 studies, researchers found hospitalization rates as high as 93.8%, ICU admission as high as 36.4%, and fatality rates as great as 38.5%. They also found "substantial percentages" of the elderly among the severely ill.
http://springerlink.com/content/3q733tn261432013/
Jul 13 EJCMID 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. 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

  5. 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

  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. New agreement geared toward universal avian flu vaccine

    The mRNA vaccine targets all major clades of the H5 avian flu subtype.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  10. '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

Our underwriters