Sep 30, 2009
Biggest business flu concern is vaccine
When it comes to pandemic flu, US businesses are most concerned about the availability of a vaccine for employees, according to a survey released today by the Business Roundtable. The organization also found that "nearly 90%" of businesses surveyed have activated or updated their preparedness plans since novel H1N1 flu first appeared. About 35% of respondents said they need more information about the severity of pandemic H1N1 flu compared with seasonal flu.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/33004715
Sep 30 CNBC story
Nationwide school closure would prove costly
Closing all US schools for 4 weeks to curb the spread of pandemic flu would cost between $10 billion and $47 billion in lost workforce productivity and temporarily shrink the pool of healthcare workers by 6% to 19%, according to a report today from economists at the Brookings Institution. The group estimated that about 14% of households with kids would have a sick worker during the pandemic. Federal guidance discourages school closure but allows local officials to make their own determinations.
http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2009/0930_school_closure_lempel_hammond_epstein.aspx
Sep 30 Brookings report abstract
3 H1N1 vaccine makers ship first doses
Three H1N1 vaccine manufacturers have begun shipping vaccine doses, according to CNN. Sanofi Pasteur said it shipped its first batch yesterday, several days ahead of schedule. More shipments will follow, according to a company spokesperson, with a total of 75.3 million doses expected by year's end. MedImmune sent its first batch of 5 million doses to distribution centers last Tuesday, and Novartis began shipments on Sunday.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/29/first.h1n1.vaccine/index.html
Sep 29 CNN report
Researchers find mutation in novel H1N1
Virologists in the Netherlands have detected a pandemic H1N1 virus mutation that has been linked to enhanced replication and possible virulence changes. In a Sep 28 ProMed e-mail list post, they said they found the mutation in the basic polymerase 2 protein in samples from two patients who had links to an island in northern Holland. Both patients recovered. In a Canadian Press report yesterday, experts said it's not clear how clinically significant the mutation is, but it bears watching.
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:130781749562916::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1010,79432
Sep 28 ProMed mail post
CDC updates advice on flu testing
The CDC yesterday released updated recommendations on diagnostic testing for flu during the coming season. The agency recommends considering testing for hospital patients with suspected flu; those for whom a flu diagnosis will affect decisions about care, infection control, or management of contacts; and those who died of suspected flu. The advisory includes information about rapid testing and issues related to antiviral treatment.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/diagnostic_tests.htm
Updated CDC recommendations
Australia begins vaccination campaign
Australia began nationwide vaccinations against H1N1 influenza today, administering the first shots in what is intended to be a 21-million-dose campaign. The initial allotment of 5.5 million doses from Australian manufacturer CSL Ltd. will be given to pregnant women, healthcare workers, and the chronically ill. Authorities are concerned the vaccine will face low uptake because the flu season is waning after 35,000 confirmed cases and 178 deaths.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Swine-Flu-Australia-Launches-Worlds-First-Nationwide-Vaccination-Programme/Article/200909415395887
Sep 30 Sky News article
Military flu shots to provide data
Active-duty members of the US armed forces will begin receiving 1.4 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine in the next 10 days, part of a 2.7-million-dose vaccine purchase by the Pentagon. The shots, which are mandatory, will go first to troops preparing to deploy, followed by troops on hold for domestic disasters. Planners hope the early shot campaign will provide needed data on efficacy and side effects.
Sep 29 Associated Press report
Irish pigs infected with novel H1N1
Forty pigs have contracted pandemic H1N1 flu, apparently from an infected worker, on a swine farm in County Cork, Ireland, according to a report filed yesterday with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The worker tended pigs on the farm Sep 15 through 18 while sick, and on Sep 22 was confirmed to have novel H1N1. Forty of the farm's 650 sows began showing clinical flu symptoms Sep 25 and are being monitored. The farm, near Kilworth, also contains 2,400 young pigs.
http://www.oie.int/wahis/reports/en_imm_0000008473_20090929_124337.pdf
Sep 29 OIE report
