Tag Archives: International News

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 […]

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 […]

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

H1N1 state of emergency in western Ukraine Comments Off on H1N1 state of emergency in western Ukraine

The World Health Organization (WHO) sent an nine-person investigation team on Monday (2 Nov), to Kyiv, Ukraine at the request of the government to investigate H1N1 outbreak affecting the western portion of the country. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, the country has recorded more than 235,000 influenza cases with 235 patients requiring intensive care. […]

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 […]

Severe cases of H1N1 reviewed: young, pregnant women and disadvantaged populations at risk Comments Off on Severe cases of H1N1 reviewed: young, pregnant women and disadvantaged populations at risk

Reports are growing that H1N1 targets young populations. According to the latest CDC reporting, there have been 43 flu-related deaths in the U.S. among perons under age 18, since August 30. A CDC spokesperson called these “very sobering statistics” given that only about 40 or 50 children usually die during an entire flu season. A […]

The H1N1 patient surge; experiences in four countries reviewed 1

A recent commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association compares past clinical experience with H1N1 across four countries. Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand involving intensive care units. Despite differences in normal care and mortality across the countries (which ranged from 14 to 41 percent), the studies signal what hospitals may confront in […]

Intensive care units down under hit by H1N1 pandemic flu Comments Off on Intensive care units down under hit by H1N1 pandemic flu

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and subsequently
reported in Medpage found that Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in New Zealand
and Australia admitted significantly more patients during their winter flu
season.

Dutch researchers find mutation in swine flu virus Comments Off on Dutch researchers find mutation in swine flu virus

Two Dutch scientists reported in ProMed, that two patients diagnosed with H1N1 A 2009 virus had a mutation in the PB2 protein. This mutation had been associated with increased virulence in other influenza A strains.