Three countries report growing flu activity

Lisa Schnirring
Influenza, General
H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jun 10, 2010 (CIDRAP News) – Some parts of India and Colombia are reporting increases in pandemic flu activity, along with some deaths, while New Zealand, which is beginning its regular flu season, is reporting a rise in flu-like illnesses, particularly in young children.

Yesterday India's health ministry said nine pandemic H1N1 flu fatalities have been reported so far in June, one from Karnataka state and four each from Maharashtra state and the city of Kerala, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported. An official told the news service that the ministry saw a rise in pandemic flu cases following monsoon activity in the area at the end of May.

The official said health officials are on alert because they expect more monsoons, but added that the country is more prepared now that a domestically produced pandemic flu vaccine is available, with three more expected to launch soon.

Meanwhile, Colombian health officials are reporting increasing numbers of pandemic H1N1 infections, according to a Jun 8 Xinhua report. Bogota health officials recently warned the capital's residents not to let down their guard after the number of weekly cases in the city increased from 2 to 14.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its past several weekly global flu surveillance reports has said it expects to see hot spots of infections rise and fall, though activity is low in most parts of the world.

New Zealand's health ministry said today that flu-like illnesses have increased slowly over the past 2 weeks, with general practitioners seeing more illness in young children and the country's flu line reporting a steady increase in calls, especially people calling about illnesses in young children.

The ministry said the predominant virus is likely to be the pandemic H1N1 strain and advised citizens to take precautions and receive the seasonal flu vaccine, which covers the pandemic virus.

New Zealand and other Southern Hemisphere countries are just starting their flu seasons. Australia recently reported a rise in upper-respiratory infections, but said most of it was from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). So far South Africa, where World Cup soccer competition begins tomorrow, has reported no increased flu activity, though it has warned travelers to be vaccinated.

See also:

Jun 9 IANS story

Jun 8 Xinhua story

Jun 10 New Zealand health ministry flu report

This week's top reads

  1. FDA significantly limits COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

    Critics said today’s announcement is more evidence of the current administration’s willingness to undermine public trust in vaccines.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    FDA building

  2. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  3. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

  5. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  6. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

    Chris Dall
    Doctor treating child with measles

  7. Moderna pulls licensing submission for combo flu-COVID vaccine

    Moderna's combination vaccine was intended for adults 50 and older. 

    Stephanie Soucheray

  8. Mpox activity escalates in Sierra Leone

    Responding to the surge is a major focus, partly to prevent the spread to other West African countries. 

    Lisa Schnirring
    mpox virus

  9. Flu vaccine efficacy 41% overall and 26% in older adults, per 2023-24 estimates

    Estimated effectiveness was 68% against influenza B and 32% against type A.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Flu shot going into arm

  10. Testing ties Listeria outbreak to ready-to-eat sandwiches

    An earlier investigation hinted at hospital food as a source, but evidence didn't reveal a specific item.

    Lisa Schnirring

Our underwriters