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Scientists find new explanation for flu virus “antigenic drift” mutations; findings highlight the benefits of flu vaccination 1

H1N1 has been termed a “disease of the young” but all the reasons for this are not clear. In the 30 October issue of Science, researchers from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases of the National Institute of Health suggest an answer may be found through closer examination of antigenic drift. Antigenic drift […]

Researchers find Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 virus mutation 1

In a widely reported story this week, research presented by North Carolina Division of Public Health at the annual conference of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, documented evidence of the passing of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 virus between two people. The North Carolina Division of Public Health had earlier reported warnings to clinicians on this H1N1 […]

Virulent form of H1N1 isolated from swine herds Comments Off on Virulent form of H1N1 isolated from swine herds

A recent abstract appearing in PubMed highights a recent study on a virulent form of H1N1 virus (KS07) isolated from swine herds in the midwest. The virus is similar to an H1N1 virus that infected humans and pigs in Ohio in 2007. Pigs are known reservoirs of H1N1 viruses, and the study advocates for continued […]

Potential “H1N1 effect” in cyberspace ? Comments Off on Potential “H1N1 effect” in cyberspace ?

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report raises concerns that increased Internet use during a “severe” pandemic from students affected by school closures, telecommuters working from home and others could create serious network congestion in metropolitan and residential neighborhoods. The chief concern is apparently with data aggregation systems that are situated upstream from home users. […]

H1N1 vaccine delays and shortages in the news 2

News accounts continue to circulate of long lines of anxious Americans waiting for H1N1 vaccinations. A Business Roundtable survey last month also cited the availability of the H1N1 vaccine as the top business concern. H1N1 influenza vaccines are being manufactured by five multi-national companies: Paris-based Sanofi Aventis SA (NYSE:SNY); London-based concerns Glaxo Smith Kline Plc […]

Video Digest: 60 Minutes report on H1N1, Youth still primary target, President declares national H1N1 emergency, Mom charged with stealing H1N1 vaccine Comments Off on Video Digest: 60 Minutes report on H1N1, Youth still primary target, President declares national H1N1 emergency, Mom charged with stealing H1N1 vaccine

H1N1 swine flu “A disease of the young” 1

According to CDC statistics released this week, forty-six states are reporting widespread influenza activity. Developing data trends also underscore how H1N1 impacts the yoing. Over the period Sep 1 to Oct 10, reports from 27 states revealed that 52 percent of persons hospitalized with H1N1 flu were under the age of 25. Only 7 percent […]

President declares H1N1 flu a national emergency Comments Off on President declares H1N1 flu a national emergency

The president declared H1N1 a national flu emergency. This action will allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expedite waivers to hospitals and medical facilities, in turn providing them greater flexibility to implement emergency operations plans if confonted with surges in H1N1 patient loads. Washington Post: President Obama declares H1N1 flu a national […]

Intensive care units under strain in New Mexico Comments Off on Intensive care units under strain in New Mexico

22 Oct 209, Albuqerque, New Mexico. KRQE newscast reported that Intensive Care Unit admissions to area hospitals are 40 percent higher than normal for this time of year. The report “H1N1 Challenges Ahead” issued earlier in the month, forecasted that New Mexico would be among 12 states, whose hospitals would be strained to maximum capacity […]

The H1N1 patient surge: Readiness of U.S. health system in focus Comments Off on The H1N1 patient surge: Readiness of U.S. health system in focus

According to CDC statistics for the week ending October 10, forty-one states are now reporting widespread influenza activity, and influenza-related deaths are above epidemic thresholds. This raises the question. Is the U.S. public health infrastructure prepared for a surge of critically-ill H1N1 patients ? The answer depends on whom is asked. A poll conducted by […]