(CIDRAP News) With so much uncertainty over how broad and severe the next wave of H1N1 influenza could be, now is the time to focus on the two top goals of saving and sustaining lives, Dr. Julie Gerberding, former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told business groups today.
Sep 21, 2009
(CIDRAP News) – A federal review of state and local pandemic preparedness efforts identified some gaps in medical surge planning and said that, while states are typically prepared to distribute antivirals and vaccines, some cities hadn't addressed all of the recommended planning components.
The findings were released today in two reports from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG).
(CIDRAP News) A study in which N95 respirators strongly outperformed surgical masks in shielding hospital workers from influenza viruses and other microbes is being hailed as a landmark in research on respiratory protection for healthcare workers.
(CIDRAP News) Today was the 12th year the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has held a press conference to discuss its expectations for the upcoming flu season, but discussions were far from routine, reflecting uncertainty surrounding the pandemic flu strain and the complexity of launching two vaccine campaigns.
(CIDRAP News) Just as this year's early seasonal influenza immunization drive is getting under way, some vaccination providers are having trouble getting vaccine doses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today.
(CIDRAP News) – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today launched the Reportable Food Registry, an electronic portal designed to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks in real-time by speeding the response at the first sign of a positive test for a pathogen or contaminant in food or animal feed.
(CIDRAP News) Revised recommendations from federal health officials on the use of influenza antiviral drugs suggest that clinicians consider providing prescriptions over the phone for high-risk patients as a way to start treatment faster if they come down with flu symptoms.
(CIDRAP News) The Institute of Medicine (IOM) today affirmed existing federal guidance that healthcare workers caring for H1N1 influenza patients should wear fit-tested N95 respirators, not just surgical masks, to protect them from the virus.
(CIDRAP News) In advance of the expected pandemic H1N1 vaccination campaign this fall, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday invited the media to join federal officials in a tabletop exercise to prepare for some possible communications challenges.
