Category Archives: US News

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 […]

Video Digest: 60 Minutes inside look at H1N1 vaccine; Uproar over H1N1 vaccine and Wall Street; Flu scare in Ukraine; H1N1 vaccines stolen 2

Signs of an intensifying epidemic Comments Off on Signs of an intensifying epidemic

According to CDC data for the week ending 24 October, all but two states are reporting widespread influenza activity.  Yet there are a handful news accounts and blogs that are raising the question whether H1N1 has peaked. Examples can be found at LA Times and the skepticist Wisdom Bits. Anyone who has hazarded their savings […]

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 […]