Influenza Vaccines

Nigeria reports 6 new H5N1 outbreaks involving 28,000 chickens

Nigeria reported six new outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu affecting more than 28,000 chickens, bringing to 12 the number of outbreaks reported this month, according to separate reports filed yesterday with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Full-season UK study of 2014-15 flu vaccine finds 34% effectiveness

An end-of-season analysis on how seasonal flu vaccines performed in the United Kingdom has found low effectiveness, not much different than the midseason estimate, researchers reported today in Eurosurveillance.

Cucumber-linked Salmonella outbreak total climbs to 341

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today that 56 more illnesses have been reported in a multistate Salmonella Poona outbreak linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico, raising the total so far to 341 cases.

Study shows benefit of antivirals for hospital flu in elderly

Treatment with antiviral drugs early in the course of hospitalization for influenza in elderly patients is associated with a shorter hospital stay and a lower risk for extended care after discharge, according to a study yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Study sorts out MERS and SARS epi patterns

A side-by-side look at MERS-CoV and SARS infection patterns shows differences and some similarities, according to a study presented this week at the International Conference on Emerging and Infectious Diseases (ICEID) in Atlanta.

APHIS calls for avian flu vaccines, says it will publish assessment

The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) yesterday announced two actions to help prepare for a potential return of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to US flocks: a request for proposals for vaccines to equip the National Veterinary Stockpile and a notification that it will publish an environment assessment on vaccinating poultry.

18 buildings positive for Legionnaires' in NY, 11 of them in Bronx

Eighteen cooling tower sites have tested positive for Legionella in or near theSouth Bronx area rocked by an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that has sickened 113 people recently, according to a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) press release yesterday.

Canadian cyclosporiasis outbreak numbers 83 cases

A total of 83 Cyclospora infections have been reported from four Canadian provinces, according to an Aug 8 press release from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

High path AI outbreaks in Vietnam, Taiwan

Veterinary officials in two countries reported highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks from different strains, H5N6 in Vietnam and H3N2 in Taiwan.

CDC reports 358 Cyclospora cases in 26 states

Cyclospora illness—which previously this summer had been almost exclusively reported in Texas—has now affected 358 people in 26 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in an update today.

More than half (199, or 56%) had symptoms that began after May 1 and reported no international travel before becoming sick, the agency said.