H1N1 NEWS SCAN: WHO may declare pandemic end, more cases in India

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Aug 9, 2010

WHO may soon declare pandemic's end
The World Health Organization (WHO) may sound the global "all clear" for pandemic H1N1 shortly, says Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan. In a Canadian Press interview, Chan said the decision could be made soon after a WHO meeting that is likely to occur this week. H1N1 has lost its dominance, now behaving more like seasonal flu viruses, and the population has gained some immunity. Any delay in the decision would likely be due to continuing cases in a few areas, such as New Zealand and India.
http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100808/h1n1-pandemic-over-100808/20100808/?hub=OttawaHome
Aug 8 Canadian Press article

Cases, deaths continue in India
The H1N1 pandemic may be abating in much of the world, but India reports 942 new cases in the past week (Aug 2-8), with 83 deaths. An article in the Times of India says two patients in the city of Pune died from pandemic H1N1 Aug 6, bringing the number of H1N1 deaths there to 99 since April. The state health department reported that 29 people are in critical condition and on ventilator support in city hospitals; 38 people tested positive for the infection Aug 6.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=64425
Indian government's case count

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
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  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
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  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
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  5. 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
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  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
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  7. 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
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  8. New agreement geared toward universal avian flu vaccine

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

    Stephanie Soucheray

  9. Measles cases in Europe, the Americas skyrocket

    Almost 90% of the European cases were reported in Romania.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles vax

  10. Quick takes: Mpox outbreak in Malawi, more H5N1 in Idaho and California dairy cows

    The cases in Malawi bring the number of African countries affected by mpox to 23.

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