Monthly Archives: November 2009

Situation Update: H1N1 activity declining in U.S.; Hospitalizations and deaths continue above epidemic thresholds Comments Off on Situation Update: H1N1 activity declining in U.S.; Hospitalizations and deaths continue above epidemic thresholds

The good news.  In the week ending Nov. 21, CDC reports that 32 states were reporting widespread influenza activity, down from 48 states a month ago.  Influenza-like illnesses accounted for 4.3 % of outpatient visits, down from nearly twice that proportion in October, but still well above the seasonal norm of 2.3%. The bad news.  H1N1 […]

H1N1 Influenza Internet Resource Guide Comments Off on H1N1 Influenza Internet Resource Guide

The H1N1 Influenza Internet Resource Guide is now maintained on Influenza Monitor. This guide provides a Top 10 list of the best swine flu information resources on the Internet across an array network media to include: newswires, forums, social network sites, blogosphere, mashups and wikis. H1N1 Influenza Internet Resource Guide: The Best Swine Flu Sites

World Notes: Public health implications of H1N1 virus mutation found in Norway Comments Off on World Notes: Public health implications of H1N1 virus mutation found in Norway

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported finding a mutated H1N1 virus in three patients, including the first two H1N1 fatalities in Norway. The H1N1 virus mutation does not appear to be circulating and may have spontaneously arisen in the three patients. “The mutation, known as D222G (also as D225G), reportedly allows the virus to […]

World Notes: WHO investigation in Ukraine reports no significant change in H1N1 virus; Fragile health care system challenged by swine flu crisis Comments Off on World Notes: WHO investigation in Ukraine reports no significant change in H1N1 virus; Fragile health care system challenged by swine flu crisis

GENEVA. The World Health Organization’s investigation in the Ukraine concluded that the severity of the swine flu outbreak in Ukraine was not (statistically) “excessive” in comparison to other countries. Preliminary genetic sequencing revealed no significant changes in the H1N1 virus; it should respond to vaccines. LVIV. Initial findings, presented in a NY Times analysis, suggests […]

Opinion Research: Minority of businesses make adjustments to employee policies since advent of H1N1; Most Americans consider paid sick leave a basic workplace right 1

Opinion research conducted by the University of Chicago last year indicated Americans support paid sick leave by large majorities regardless of political persuasion. Most Americans consider paid sick leave a basic workplace right. “86% of respondents believed that employers should be required by law to provide paid sick days to workers; 85% endorsed a plan […]

Weak leave policies hinder efforts to contain H1N1; Paid sick leave legislation proposed 1

Around 51 million people, comprising a third of the U.S. workforce, do not have paid sick days.  Hence, staying home from work is not an option for many Americans in the event H1N1 strikes. An ailing economy, in conjunction with weak sick leave policies are fueling concerns about the spread of H1N1 virus. In a […]

Video Digest: Weak leave policies hamper fight against H1N1; Business lobbyists resist new legislative mandates Comments Off on Video Digest: Weak leave policies hamper fight against H1N1; Business lobbyists resist new legislative mandates

Deconstructing CDC estmates of H1N1 influenza deaths and hospitalizations Comments Off on Deconstructing CDC estmates of H1N1 influenza deaths and hospitalizations

In a widely reported story, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) presented revised estimates on H1N1 mortality, including 540 estimated deaths among children to date; 35 such deaths were reported for the week ending 7 November.   H1N1 Seasonal Deaths 3,900 36,000 Pediatric deaths 540 80 Hospitalizations 98,000 200,000 Source: CDC This raises questions as […]

World Notes: World Health Organization cautions not to underestimate H1N1 virus 2

GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern that some opinion is dismissing the H1N1 pandemic as a mild situation due to the self-limiting nature of symptoms generally observed in most who contract H1N1. As with seasonal influenza, WHO officials note that H1N1 transmission is highest during the winter season, and most people recover from […]

World Notes: Swine flu precautions for the Hajj pilgrimage Comments Off on World Notes: Swine flu precautions for the Hajj pilgrimage

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry announced that the kingdom will not ban anyone considered at high risk for swine flu from the Hajj pilgrimage, which will peak during the 25-29 November timeframe. The Hajj pilgrimage is required of all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, and it attracts an estimated 2-3 million people […]