Tag Archives: swine flu

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 […]

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. […]

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. […]