Category Archives: Care and Treatment

A Moderate Pandemic with Immoderate Impact ? Comments Off on A Moderate Pandemic with Immoderate Impact ?

Acording to the latest CDC estimates, there have been just over 12,000 deaths from pandemic 2009 H1N1. This stands in contrast to the 36,000 deaths from a typical flu season, a number widely advertised by HHS. This, along with similar fatality rates were observed worldwide, has led some to describe the H1N1 pandemic as “moderate” […]

Video Digest: H1N1 Retrospective; H1N1 Vaccines Discarded in CA; Weak H1N1 Vaccine Demand in Malaysia Comments Off on Video Digest: H1N1 Retrospective; H1N1 Vaccines Discarded in CA; Weak H1N1 Vaccine Demand in Malaysia

   

H1N1 Research: On a “Heading” Toward a Universal Influenza Vaccine Comments Off on H1N1 Research: On a “Heading” Toward a Universal Influenza Vaccine

When writing about influenza, it can be difficult to report on cutting-edge research. One has to carefully apply terms like “breakthrough.” One also has to avoid terms like “miracle cure.” A universal flu vaccine, that can provide extended protection across a variety of recombitant influenza viruses represents the pinnacle for microbiological research in this area. […]

H1N1 Transitions: Three New H1N1 Variants Detected in India Comments Off on H1N1 Transitions: Three New H1N1 Variants Detected in India

ProMed mail reports on three new H1N1 variants detected by India’s National Institute of Virology (NIV). All the variants were treatable with the antiviral medication Oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Excerpt and references provided below: Archive Number 20100525.1741 Published Date 25-MAY-2010 Subject PRO/AH Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (34): Indian variants INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) (34): INDIAN VARIANTS *********************************************** A ProMED-mail […]

H1N1 Lessons: Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Production Capacity: Ready for the Next Pandemic ? Comments Off on H1N1 Lessons: Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Production Capacity: Ready for the Next Pandemic ?

The most significant failure in the global public health response to pandemic H1N1 was the lack of sufficient vaccine supplies in time for the second wave of H1N1. According to reporting from the World Health Organization (WHO) H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Task Force, global influenza vaccine production continues to fall well short of WHO’s desired production […]

Op-Ed: H1N1 Ebbs Worldwide, Legacies and Lessons Continue Comments Off on Op-Ed: H1N1 Ebbs Worldwide, Legacies and Lessons Continue

With the passage of time, H1N1 has been quiet in the USA. No states have reported widespread or regional flu activity for five consecutive weeks. Doctor visits for Influenza-like Illness (ILI) are below baseline across all ten CDC regions. On the international front, H1N1 has receded across much of the world. The World Health Organization […]

H1N1 Update: ELEVATED influenza-like illness (ILI) now reported in CDC Regions 4, 7 and 9 Comments Off on H1N1 Update: ELEVATED influenza-like illness (ILI) now reported in CDC Regions 4, 7 and 9

From CDC’s most recent influenza surveillance report, week ending 20 March: “Elevated ILI was seen in Regions 4, 7 and 9. Region 4 is comprised of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Region 7 is Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. And Region 9 is Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada. (Last […]

NIAID Press Release: Rapid Development of Drug-Resistant 2009 H1N1 Influenza Reported in Two Cases 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFriday, March 26, 2010www.niaid.nih.gov Media Contact: Anne A. Oplinger(301) 402-1663niaidnews@niaid.nih.gov Rapid Development of Drug-Resistant 2009 H1N1 Influenza Reported in Two Cases Reevaluation of Treatment Strategies for Prolonged Infection Urged Two people with compromised immune systems who became ill with 2009 H1N1 influenza developed drug-resistant strains of virus after less than two weeks on […]

ELEVATED influenza-like illness (ILI) activity in CDC Region Four: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN 2

CDC is reporting ELEVATED influenza-like illness (ILI) activity in Region Four, which includes: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. “Region 4 led the nation at the beginning of the fall wave, which largely followed school openings.” Region 4 also had a higher number of case counts of ILI on college […]

Investigation of Duke University cluster of oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 cases revealed patient-to-patient transmission of H275Y mutation; Health-care professionals had influenza symptoms 2

A multi-agency team of public health experts recently presented the results of their investigation into the cluster of four immunocompromised patients admitted to Duke University Medical Center over the 21-27 Sep, 2009 timeframe, who were found to have oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 (the H275Y mutation). Three of the patients died. The investigation involved reviews of patient medical […]