Feb 12, 2010
Canada compares impacts of H1N1 and seasonal flu
The Canadian Institute for Health Information says that 8,507 Canadians were hospitalized with H1N1 flu from April 2009 through January, compared with 2,614 hospitalized for seasonal flu in 2007-08, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported. The median age of hospitalized H1N1 patients was 28 and the median for fatalities was 53; the corresponding ages for seasonal flu patients were 71 and 83. One in six H1N1 hospital patients needed intensive care, versus 1 in 7 seasonal flu hospital patients.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-patients-were-younger-and-needed-more-care-study-says/article1465088/
Globe and Mail report
WHO says influenza B rising in China
Though Senegal is the third West African country in the last month to confirm pandemic flu, it's too soon to say if widespread transmission is starting in the region, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today. Flu activity is declining or sporadic in most parts of the world, with other respiratory illnesses increasing in Eastern Europe and Guatemala. Pandemic H1N1 is the dominant flu strain, but seasonal influenza B viruses accounted for 72% of all flu viruses analyzed last week in China.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_02_12/en/index.html
Feb 12 WHO update
CDC reports on pandemic's impact on Hispanics
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted an online question-and-answer report on H1N1 and seasonal flu in Hispanic communities. The report notes that H1N1 vaccination rates have been lower in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites. It reports on the impact of the pandemic on Hispanics, describes barriers to H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccination, and outlines possible strategies for improving health and vaccine uptake among Hispanics.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa_hispanic.htm
CDC information on H1N1 and Hispanics
Health officials try luck with casino vaccine clinics
In an effort to offer the pandemic flu vaccine where people congregate, health officials in Carson City, Nev., are immunizing people at area casinos, the Carson Valley Record-Courier reported. A casino clinic on Feb 6 immunized 174 people, and other similar events are scheduled. Health department spokeswoman Pam Graber said earlier in the outbreak people were more likely to come to vaccination locations, but now that the holidays have passed it's easier to bring the shots to the people.
http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20100212/NEWS/100219957/1056/rss
Feb 12 Record-Courier story
Singapore lowers pandemic alert level
Singapore's health ministry today announced that it was lowering its pandemic H1N1 flu alert from yellow to green, Channel NewsAsia reported. The country raised the alert to yellow and then orange in late April but moved back to yellow in May. Doctor's visits for respiratory infection have been below baseline since August. The ministry vowed to continue monitoring the disease but said dialing back the level will make it easier for people to visit hospitals and nursing homes.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1037100/1/.html
Feb 12 Channel NewsAsia report
