From WHO, their latest worldwide H1N1 situation update :
" 28 May 2010 : As of 23 May, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18114 deaths.
WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and Member States and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.
In the tropical zone of South America, pandemic and seasonal influenza viruses continued to circulate at low to sporadic levels. In Peru, recent regional increases in respiratory diseases activity (in children under age 5) has been largely associated with circulating respiratory syncitial virus (RSV). In Colombia and Brazil, low levels of pandemic and seasonal influenza H3N2 viruses have been detected over the past month. In Bolivia, a recent period of circulation of predominantly seasonal influenza type B viruses appears to have concluded.
In Asia, overall pandemic influenza activity remains low to sporadic, except in limited areas of south and southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. In Singapore, levels of ARI have been elevated since April 2010 and in recent weeks have remained near epidemic threshold; approximately 39% of respiratory specimens from ILI patients tested positive for pandemic influenza virus during mid May 2010. In neighboring Malaysia, limited data suggest that active pandemic influenza virus circulation persist after recent activity peaked during mid April 2010; small numbers of fatal cases have been reported since that time. In Bangladesh, co-dominant circulation of pandemic and seasonal influenza B viruses has been observed since mid April 2010, however, the overall intensity of respiratory diseases was reported to low during this period. Low levels of pandemic influenza virus continued to circulate in western India, while low and declining levels of seasonal influenza B viruses continued to be reported across East Asia."
Showing posts with label World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World. Show all posts
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
World : H5N1 virus detected in eight countries this spring
Via Vetsweb :
" According to a survey by OIE, the high pathogenic H5N1 virus is detected in eight countries this spring.
In Egypt for example, 34 infections were detected from April 1 to May 15. These infections were found at eight poultry farms of which six farms used vaccination against avian influenza.
In Indonesia, H5N1 is widespread in poultry. Here, poultry is regularly tested for the disease in over 67,000 villages. This shows that on average in 1.5 per thousand villages H5N1 is detected. Regional this can go up to nine per thousand villages.
Bangladesh showed three outbreaks of H5N1 this spring, while one infection was found in Laos at a farm with 1,000 layers. H5N1 has been found in Mongolia in wild swans. Vietnam reported outbreaks in four provinces and in Israel, H5N1 was found in two birds at a zoo."
" According to a survey by OIE, the high pathogenic H5N1 virus is detected in eight countries this spring.
In Egypt for example, 34 infections were detected from April 1 to May 15. These infections were found at eight poultry farms of which six farms used vaccination against avian influenza.
In Indonesia, H5N1 is widespread in poultry. Here, poultry is regularly tested for the disease in over 67,000 villages. This shows that on average in 1.5 per thousand villages H5N1 is detected. Regional this can go up to nine per thousand villages.
Bangladesh showed three outbreaks of H5N1 this spring, while one infection was found in Laos at a farm with 1,000 layers. H5N1 has been found in Mongolia in wild swans. Vietnam reported outbreaks in four provinces and in Israel, H5N1 was found in two birds at a zoo."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
WHO: We got lucky with swine flu pandemic
Via MSNBC :
" GENEVA : The U.N.'s global health chief says the world was lucky that the swine flu pandemic was relatively mild.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan tells government delegations that the virus hadn't mutated into a more dangerous form, and that treatments such as Tamiflu and vaccines proved effective.
But, she says a problem in any of these areas would have made the flu outbreak far more severe.
Chan says public health successes usually result from governments enacting good policy and devoting enough resources.
"Sometimes, though, we are just plain lucky," she added in a speech at Monday's World Health Assembly. "This has been the case with the H1N1 influenza pandemic."
" GENEVA : The U.N.'s global health chief says the world was lucky that the swine flu pandemic was relatively mild.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan tells government delegations that the virus hadn't mutated into a more dangerous form, and that treatments such as Tamiflu and vaccines proved effective.
But, she says a problem in any of these areas would have made the flu outbreak far more severe.
Chan says public health successes usually result from governments enacting good policy and devoting enough resources.
"Sometimes, though, we are just plain lucky," she added in a speech at Monday's World Health Assembly. "This has been the case with the H1N1 influenza pandemic."
Saturday, May 8, 2010
WHO - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 99
WHO's latest H1N1 update :
" In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data from several countries suggest that active transmission of pandemic influenza virus persists in parts of West Africa while low levels of seasonal influenza type B viruses continue to circulate in parts of central Africa. In Ghana, pandemic influenza virus detections may be declining after peaking during early April 2010; during the most recent reporting week, 14% of respiratory specimens tested positive for pandemic influenza virus. In Cameroon, low levels of pandemic and seasonal influenza type B virus continue to co-circulate, though the latter have been predominant during April 2010. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, circulation of seasonal influenza H3N2 viruses during February and mid-March 2010 has been largely replaced by circulation of seasonal influenza type B viruses during April 2010. Localized, low level pandemic influenza virus circulation continues to be observed in parts of East Africa, particularly in Rwanda and Tanzania. Sporadic detections of seasonal influenza H3N2 viruses continue to be reported across eastern, central, and western Africa.
In tropical zone of the Americas, limited data suggest that pandemic influenza virus transmission remains active in several countries. In Central America, Guatemala reported three consecutive weeks of an increasing trend of respiratory diseases activity associated with regional spread of pandemic influenza virus and detection of severe cases. In Cuba, detections of pandemic virus and numbers of severe cases have increased since late March, however overall pandemic influenza activity may have recently peaked during the most recent reporting week. In Peru, the number of pneumonia cases in children under 5 years of age in the capital area has been increasing for the past seven weeks and remains above the epidemic threshold; however, the extent to which these pneumonia cases have been due to pandemic influenza H1N1 virus versus other respiratory viruses circulating in the region, is not known. Although the overall intensity of respiratory diseases across the region remained low to moderate during April 2010, for short periods of time, circulation of pandemic influenza virus was reported to widespread (in Cuba and Barbados) or regional (in Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia).
In Southeast Asia, pandemic influenza virus continues to actively circulate in several countries of the region, however, respiratory disease trends in the region are variable. In Malaysia, limited data suggest that pandemic influenza virus transmission persists with ongoing reports of new cases (including severe cases) and media reports of several school outbreaks, particularly during late April and early May 2010. In Singapore, the national level of ARI has been steadily increasing since early April 2010 and now exceeds the epidemic threshold; 37% of sentinel respiratory specimens tested positive for influenza during the most recent reporting week. In Thailand, the proportion of sentinel outpatients with ILI and sentinel inpatients with pneumonia testing positive for pandemic influenza virus infection has declined significantly since peaking during late March 2010."
" In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data from several countries suggest that active transmission of pandemic influenza virus persists in parts of West Africa while low levels of seasonal influenza type B viruses continue to circulate in parts of central Africa. In Ghana, pandemic influenza virus detections may be declining after peaking during early April 2010; during the most recent reporting week, 14% of respiratory specimens tested positive for pandemic influenza virus. In Cameroon, low levels of pandemic and seasonal influenza type B virus continue to co-circulate, though the latter have been predominant during April 2010. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, circulation of seasonal influenza H3N2 viruses during February and mid-March 2010 has been largely replaced by circulation of seasonal influenza type B viruses during April 2010. Localized, low level pandemic influenza virus circulation continues to be observed in parts of East Africa, particularly in Rwanda and Tanzania. Sporadic detections of seasonal influenza H3N2 viruses continue to be reported across eastern, central, and western Africa.
In tropical zone of the Americas, limited data suggest that pandemic influenza virus transmission remains active in several countries. In Central America, Guatemala reported three consecutive weeks of an increasing trend of respiratory diseases activity associated with regional spread of pandemic influenza virus and detection of severe cases. In Cuba, detections of pandemic virus and numbers of severe cases have increased since late March, however overall pandemic influenza activity may have recently peaked during the most recent reporting week. In Peru, the number of pneumonia cases in children under 5 years of age in the capital area has been increasing for the past seven weeks and remains above the epidemic threshold; however, the extent to which these pneumonia cases have been due to pandemic influenza H1N1 virus versus other respiratory viruses circulating in the region, is not known. Although the overall intensity of respiratory diseases across the region remained low to moderate during April 2010, for short periods of time, circulation of pandemic influenza virus was reported to widespread (in Cuba and Barbados) or regional (in Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia).
In Southeast Asia, pandemic influenza virus continues to actively circulate in several countries of the region, however, respiratory disease trends in the region are variable. In Malaysia, limited data suggest that pandemic influenza virus transmission persists with ongoing reports of new cases (including severe cases) and media reports of several school outbreaks, particularly during late April and early May 2010. In Singapore, the national level of ARI has been steadily increasing since early April 2010 and now exceeds the epidemic threshold; 37% of sentinel respiratory specimens tested positive for influenza during the most recent reporting week. In Thailand, the proportion of sentinel outpatients with ILI and sentinel inpatients with pneumonia testing positive for pandemic influenza virus infection has declined significantly since peaking during late March 2010."
Saturday, May 1, 2010
WHO - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 98
The latest update from WHO, to note the situation in Malaysia:
" In East Asia, pandemic influenza H1N1 virus circulation is now sporadic. In China, Mongolia, and Republic of Korea most influenza like illness cases continued to be primarily due to seasonal influenza type B viruses. In China and Mongolia influenza detections have continued to decline compared to previous recent weeks. The Republic of Korea reported increasing levels of respiratory disease activity associated with increasing detections of seasonal influenza type B in respiratory specimens over five consecutive weeks. Of note, small numbers of pandemic influenza H1N1, seasonal H3N2 and H1N1 viruses continued to be sporadically detected in some countries of the region.
In Southeast Asia, overall levels of influenza activity were low. Although the predominant influenza virus circulating was still pandemic influenza H1N1, there was co-circulation of seasonal influenza type B and, to a lesser extent, H3N2 viruses in several countries including Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand. Malaysia has reported increasing levels of respiratory diseases activity associated with pandemic influenza H1N1 laboratory confirmed cases. Media sources have also reported school closures in the country. In Singapore, influenza-like-illness levels are still below the seasonal epidemic threshold but have increased compared to previous week.
In South Asia, Bangladesh reported an increase in respiratory diseases activity associated with increasing numbers of pandemic influenza H1N1 laboratory confirmed cases since beginning of April. India reported pandemic influenza activity in the states of Maharashtra and recently Karnataka. Levels of respiratory diseases activity in both of these countries appear much less intense than in the initial wave of transmission which occurred late 2009. Although pandemic influenza is the predominant virus circulating in the region, seasonal influenza type B viruses continued to be detected in Iran and Bangladesh."
" In East Asia, pandemic influenza H1N1 virus circulation is now sporadic. In China, Mongolia, and Republic of Korea most influenza like illness cases continued to be primarily due to seasonal influenza type B viruses. In China and Mongolia influenza detections have continued to decline compared to previous recent weeks. The Republic of Korea reported increasing levels of respiratory disease activity associated with increasing detections of seasonal influenza type B in respiratory specimens over five consecutive weeks. Of note, small numbers of pandemic influenza H1N1, seasonal H3N2 and H1N1 viruses continued to be sporadically detected in some countries of the region.
In Southeast Asia, overall levels of influenza activity were low. Although the predominant influenza virus circulating was still pandemic influenza H1N1, there was co-circulation of seasonal influenza type B and, to a lesser extent, H3N2 viruses in several countries including Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand. Malaysia has reported increasing levels of respiratory diseases activity associated with pandemic influenza H1N1 laboratory confirmed cases. Media sources have also reported school closures in the country. In Singapore, influenza-like-illness levels are still below the seasonal epidemic threshold but have increased compared to previous week.
In South Asia, Bangladesh reported an increase in respiratory diseases activity associated with increasing numbers of pandemic influenza H1N1 laboratory confirmed cases since beginning of April. India reported pandemic influenza activity in the states of Maharashtra and recently Karnataka. Levels of respiratory diseases activity in both of these countries appear much less intense than in the initial wave of transmission which occurred late 2009. Although pandemic influenza is the predominant virus circulating in the region, seasonal influenza type B viruses continued to be detected in Iran and Bangladesh."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
World : A clamp for emerging flu viruses
Via Physorg:
" When the human body becomes infected with new influenza viruses, the immune system rapidly activates an inborn protective mechanism to inhibit the intruding pathogen. A protein known as Mx plays an important role in this process, keeping the spread of viruses in check. Exactly how Mx accomplishes this task was previously unknown. Now German virologists from the Institute of Medical Microbiology at the Freiburg University Medical Center and structural biologists from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin-Buch have unraveled the structure of the Mx protein and are able to explain how it develops its anti-viral effect.
New influenza viruses jump from animals to humans with alarming frequency, as evidenced by the H5N1 bird flu virus or, more recently, with the swine flu virus. Although humans usually do not have any preexisting immunity to such pathogens, they are not completely unprotected against the invaders. The human body can rapidly mobilize a defense strategy which prevents the influenza viruses from proliferating unchecked in the body.
An essential element of this protection is a protein, known as Mx (short for myxovirus resistance), produced by the body which recognizes many viruses and prevents them from replicating inside infected cells. Under normal conditions this protective protein is not present in the cell at all, but after infection it can be produced in large quantities. The order to produce this protein Mx is made by the signaling protein interferon, which is excreted by infected cells and alarms the organism of the virus infection."
" When the human body becomes infected with new influenza viruses, the immune system rapidly activates an inborn protective mechanism to inhibit the intruding pathogen. A protein known as Mx plays an important role in this process, keeping the spread of viruses in check. Exactly how Mx accomplishes this task was previously unknown. Now German virologists from the Institute of Medical Microbiology at the Freiburg University Medical Center and structural biologists from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin-Buch have unraveled the structure of the Mx protein and are able to explain how it develops its anti-viral effect.
New influenza viruses jump from animals to humans with alarming frequency, as evidenced by the H5N1 bird flu virus or, more recently, with the swine flu virus. Although humans usually do not have any preexisting immunity to such pathogens, they are not completely unprotected against the invaders. The human body can rapidly mobilize a defense strategy which prevents the influenza viruses from proliferating unchecked in the body.
An essential element of this protection is a protein, known as Mx (short for myxovirus resistance), produced by the body which recognizes many viruses and prevents them from replicating inside infected cells. Under normal conditions this protective protein is not present in the cell at all, but after infection it can be produced in large quantities. The order to produce this protein Mx is made by the signaling protein interferon, which is excreted by infected cells and alarms the organism of the virus infection."
World : To Be or not TB
From the Harvard Crimson, an excellent take on TB, it's future and how it's affecting us right now:
" Tuberculosis: The very name of the disease evokes images of antiquity, a footnote in dusty encyclopedias of human sickness overshadowed by the abbreviated diseases of the present—SARS, HIV/AIDS, H1N1. Few students would be able to guess that one third of the world’s population is infected with TB or that more than 12,000 cases were reported in the U.S. in 2008. Transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or spitting, TB thrives in the humid and closely-packed quarters of slums and urban outskirts.
However, just last week, a Harvard student was diagnosed with TB, with roughly 40 identified as at risk for exposure as a result of this case, reminding us of its startling proximity to our privileged community. Instead of dismissing it as a disease of the developing world, we should take this opportunity to recognize TB’s continued relevance on the public health advocacy agenda and engage with the actors that have long stalled progress.
After a long period of decline, TB incidence has risen dramatically since the 1980s, despite the improvement of sanitary conditions, the development of anti-TB drugs in the 1950s, and the introduction of the World Health Organization’s directly-observed treatment short-course program for more effective treatment. In 1993, the WHO declared TB a global-health emergency, setting ambitious goals which it later conceded could not be met by 2003 or possibly even 2015. That is to say, the consequences from the years of inadequate treatment and low attention to disease control in resource-poor regions have become increasingly clear."
" Tuberculosis: The very name of the disease evokes images of antiquity, a footnote in dusty encyclopedias of human sickness overshadowed by the abbreviated diseases of the present—SARS, HIV/AIDS, H1N1. Few students would be able to guess that one third of the world’s population is infected with TB or that more than 12,000 cases were reported in the U.S. in 2008. Transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or spitting, TB thrives in the humid and closely-packed quarters of slums and urban outskirts.
However, just last week, a Harvard student was diagnosed with TB, with roughly 40 identified as at risk for exposure as a result of this case, reminding us of its startling proximity to our privileged community. Instead of dismissing it as a disease of the developing world, we should take this opportunity to recognize TB’s continued relevance on the public health advocacy agenda and engage with the actors that have long stalled progress.
After a long period of decline, TB incidence has risen dramatically since the 1980s, despite the improvement of sanitary conditions, the development of anti-TB drugs in the 1950s, and the introduction of the World Health Organization’s directly-observed treatment short-course program for more effective treatment. In 1993, the WHO declared TB a global-health emergency, setting ambitious goals which it later conceded could not be met by 2003 or possibly even 2015. That is to say, the consequences from the years of inadequate treatment and low attention to disease control in resource-poor regions have become increasingly clear."
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
World : When Animal Diseases Attack
Via Newsweek, a long but very informative article which takes deeper look at diseases which sources are from animals:
" Animal-based diseases account for 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases, including H1N1. Can health agencies work together to stop their spread?
One year ago this month, Dr. Anne Schuchat took the mike at one of the government's first press conferences about a worrisome new flu outbreak. Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, was trying to clarify what public-health officials knew about a virus that had sickened patients in Mexico and the United States. No, this was not bird flu, Schuchat told reporters listening in by phone from around the country that April day in 2009. That virus, technically known as H5N1, had been circulating since 1997, mainly in Asia. This was swine influenza, or, as it would soon be called, H1N1. "We're talking about a new virus," Schuchat said, referring to the novel form of H1N1, "a combination of a couple of different components of swine, human, and bird influenza."
" Animal-based diseases account for 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases, including H1N1. Can health agencies work together to stop their spread?
One year ago this month, Dr. Anne Schuchat took the mike at one of the government's first press conferences about a worrisome new flu outbreak. Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, was trying to clarify what public-health officials knew about a virus that had sickened patients in Mexico and the United States. No, this was not bird flu, Schuchat told reporters listening in by phone from around the country that April day in 2009. That virus, technically known as H5N1, had been circulating since 1997, mainly in Asia. This was swine influenza, or, as it would soon be called, H1N1. "We're talking about a new virus," Schuchat said, referring to the novel form of H1N1, "a combination of a couple of different components of swine, human, and bird influenza."
Saturday, April 24, 2010
WHO - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 97
World Health's Organization latest H1N1 update, excerpt:
" 23 April 2010 -- As of 18 April 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 17853 deaths.
Situation update:
Currently the most active areas of transmission of pandemic influenza are in parts of West and Central Africa but transmission is also still occurring in South East Asia, and Central America. Pandemic influenza activity remains low in much of the temperate zone of both the northern and southern hemispheres. Seasonal influenza type B viruses have been increasingly detected over a larger area and are now the predominant circulating influenza viruses across East Asia, Central Africa and Northern and Eastern Europe. Very small numbers of type B viruses have also recently been detected in Central America. Seasonal influenza H3N2 is still being detected in South and Southeast Asia (mainly Indonesia), as well as sporadically in several countries of West Africa, and Eastern Europe.
In Europe, most countries reported a low intensity of respiratory diseases with only 6.8% of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza. This week the total number of influenza B virus detections continued to exceed that of influenza A, as in recent weeks, although at low levels. Of note, some sporadic detections of seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 viruses were reported in Eastern Europe.
In East Asia, very few pandemic influenza viruses are being detected. In China, Mongolia, and Republic of Korea most influenza like illness (ILI) cases are now due primarily to influenza type B viruses. In China, overall influenza activity continues to decline and no pandemic influenza virus was detected this week. In Mongolia, influenza type B virus continues to circulate but is declining since a recent peak. An increased trend of respiratory disease activity associated with increasing circulation of influenza type B viruses has been reported in the Republic of Korea during the past few weeks. Small numbers of seasonal influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses continue to be sporadically reported in some countries of the region.
In South and Southeast Asia, the most active areas of transmissions of pandemic influenza are in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Although pandemic influenza virus is the predominant circulating influenza virus in the region, influenza H3N2 and influenza type B continue to co-circulate in Singapore and Thailand and Indonesia. In Singapore, rates of influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infections (ARI) increased compared to previous week but are still below the epidemic threshold. In Indonesia, in contrast to other countries of the area, the predominant virus circulating continues to be influenza H3N2, with few detections of influenza type B and pandemic influenza viruses. In Malaysia, an increase in the number of respiratory disease consultations due to influenza-like-illness (ILI) was reported in the majority of the states compared to previous week. In Bangladesh, a small but slightly increased (compared to the previous week) numbers of pandemic influenza cases continues to be detected."
" 23 April 2010 -- As of 18 April 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 17853 deaths.
Situation update:
Currently the most active areas of transmission of pandemic influenza are in parts of West and Central Africa but transmission is also still occurring in South East Asia, and Central America. Pandemic influenza activity remains low in much of the temperate zone of both the northern and southern hemispheres. Seasonal influenza type B viruses have been increasingly detected over a larger area and are now the predominant circulating influenza viruses across East Asia, Central Africa and Northern and Eastern Europe. Very small numbers of type B viruses have also recently been detected in Central America. Seasonal influenza H3N2 is still being detected in South and Southeast Asia (mainly Indonesia), as well as sporadically in several countries of West Africa, and Eastern Europe.
In Europe, most countries reported a low intensity of respiratory diseases with only 6.8% of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza. This week the total number of influenza B virus detections continued to exceed that of influenza A, as in recent weeks, although at low levels. Of note, some sporadic detections of seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 viruses were reported in Eastern Europe.
In East Asia, very few pandemic influenza viruses are being detected. In China, Mongolia, and Republic of Korea most influenza like illness (ILI) cases are now due primarily to influenza type B viruses. In China, overall influenza activity continues to decline and no pandemic influenza virus was detected this week. In Mongolia, influenza type B virus continues to circulate but is declining since a recent peak. An increased trend of respiratory disease activity associated with increasing circulation of influenza type B viruses has been reported in the Republic of Korea during the past few weeks. Small numbers of seasonal influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses continue to be sporadically reported in some countries of the region.
In South and Southeast Asia, the most active areas of transmissions of pandemic influenza are in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Although pandemic influenza virus is the predominant circulating influenza virus in the region, influenza H3N2 and influenza type B continue to co-circulate in Singapore and Thailand and Indonesia. In Singapore, rates of influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infections (ARI) increased compared to previous week but are still below the epidemic threshold. In Indonesia, in contrast to other countries of the area, the predominant virus circulating continues to be influenza H3N2, with few detections of influenza type B and pandemic influenza viruses. In Malaysia, an increase in the number of respiratory disease consultations due to influenza-like-illness (ILI) was reported in the majority of the states compared to previous week. In Bangladesh, a small but slightly increased (compared to the previous week) numbers of pandemic influenza cases continues to be detected."
Thursday, April 22, 2010
World : Vaccine Now Misses Many Pneumococcal Infections in Kids
Via Healthday:
" The advent in 2000 of the PCV7 vaccine to battle bacteria that causes pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis (blood infection) in children has caused notable changes in strains that cause these illnesses, researchers report.
Most worrisome is the recent spread of strains not covered by the vaccine, the team aid.
Immunizations with the PCV7 vaccine is now recommended for all children before the age of 2.
American researchers found that the most common cause of invasive pneumococcal infections is now a strain called serotype 19A, which is not covered by the PCV7 vaccine.
The studies also found a rise in infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pneumococci.
One study, an analysis of 2001-07 data by Boston University researchers, revealed that only 15 percent of serious pneumococcal infections in Massachusetts were caused by one of the seven strains covered by the PCV7 vaccine.
The remaining 85 percent were caused by other strains, most commonly serotype 19A."
" The advent in 2000 of the PCV7 vaccine to battle bacteria that causes pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis (blood infection) in children has caused notable changes in strains that cause these illnesses, researchers report.
Most worrisome is the recent spread of strains not covered by the vaccine, the team aid.
Immunizations with the PCV7 vaccine is now recommended for all children before the age of 2.
American researchers found that the most common cause of invasive pneumococcal infections is now a strain called serotype 19A, which is not covered by the PCV7 vaccine.
The studies also found a rise in infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pneumococci.
One study, an analysis of 2001-07 data by Boston University researchers, revealed that only 15 percent of serious pneumococcal infections in Massachusetts were caused by one of the seven strains covered by the PCV7 vaccine.
The remaining 85 percent were caused by other strains, most commonly serotype 19A."
Vietnam : Global framework for avian influenza and pandemic
Via The Scoop:
" Drawing on the lessons of responses to H5N1 avian influenza and H1N1 pandemic influenza, ministers and senior officials from more than 70 countries today agreed on the way forward in responding to avian influenza, preparing for pandemics and tackling newly emerging infectious diseases.
The Hanoi Declaration proposes a multi-sector array of national measures to keep a look out for new diseases that may cross from animals to humans and to deploy public health measures promptly against outbreaks. It calls for focused action at the interface between human, animal and environmental health systems, as well as continued efforts to reduce the extent of H5N1 and H1N1.
Countries and international agencies are urged to “remain vigilant with respect to emerging threats such as H5N1, pandemic H1N1, and other influenza viruses”.
The Declaration recognizes the necessity for continuing and strengthening international and regional cooperation against diseases for which there may be no human immunity and which can cross borders in a matter of days. It emphasizes the need, for effective communication between professionals and public, community engagement and for strengthened public health and veterinary systems. "
" Drawing on the lessons of responses to H5N1 avian influenza and H1N1 pandemic influenza, ministers and senior officials from more than 70 countries today agreed on the way forward in responding to avian influenza, preparing for pandemics and tackling newly emerging infectious diseases.
The Hanoi Declaration proposes a multi-sector array of national measures to keep a look out for new diseases that may cross from animals to humans and to deploy public health measures promptly against outbreaks. It calls for focused action at the interface between human, animal and environmental health systems, as well as continued efforts to reduce the extent of H5N1 and H1N1.
Countries and international agencies are urged to “remain vigilant with respect to emerging threats such as H5N1, pandemic H1N1, and other influenza viruses”.
The Declaration recognizes the necessity for continuing and strengthening international and regional cooperation against diseases for which there may be no human immunity and which can cross borders in a matter of days. It emphasizes the need, for effective communication between professionals and public, community engagement and for strengthened public health and veterinary systems. "
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
World : Flu drugs saved many pregnant swine flu victims
Via AP:
" Quick treatment with flu medicine saved the lives of many pregnant women who were stricken by swine flu last year, according to the most complete analysis of deaths among expectant mothers.
The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 56 pregnant women who died from the new virus in 2009, confirming the dangers of the disease to this group.
Based primarily on U.S. figures from the first few months of the global epidemic, which began last April, CDC officials believe that though pregnant women account for just 1 percent of the population, they have at times accounted for as many as 5 percent of swine flu deaths.
The analysis found that only one of the U.S. women who died was treated with flu medicine like Tamiflu within the first two days of symptoms; just four of those who died got treatment within the first four days.
"Early treatment really makes a difference," said Dr. Sonja Rasmussen of the CDC, one of the study's authors."
" Quick treatment with flu medicine saved the lives of many pregnant women who were stricken by swine flu last year, according to the most complete analysis of deaths among expectant mothers.
The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 56 pregnant women who died from the new virus in 2009, confirming the dangers of the disease to this group.
Based primarily on U.S. figures from the first few months of the global epidemic, which began last April, CDC officials believe that though pregnant women account for just 1 percent of the population, they have at times accounted for as many as 5 percent of swine flu deaths.
The analysis found that only one of the U.S. women who died was treated with flu medicine like Tamiflu within the first two days of symptoms; just four of those who died got treatment within the first four days.
"Early treatment really makes a difference," said Dr. Sonja Rasmussen of the CDC, one of the study's authors."
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
World : Is Bird Flu Back, Or Did It Never Go Away? (H5N1)
Via NPR's health blog,
"Just as your worries have faded about swine flu, today at the International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza in Hanoi, Vietnam, an infectious diseases expert is raising red flags about the ongoing presence of H5N1, also known as avian flu.
That other H-something N-something virus continues to be a "serious menace" even though bird flu has mostly been eliminated from the 63 countries it infected during the high-point of the global outbreak in 2006, according to U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Juan Lubroth.
At a recent conference, Lubroth said bird flu is still present in Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam. Just a few days ago a 22-year-old man and a 2-year-old tested positive for the virus in Bac Can province in Vietnam, Reuters reports."
As you read through the article, you would notice that they have mentioned about Mr. Crawford Killian, whose blog I follow intensively and whose writing inspired me to start off my own blog.
"Just as your worries have faded about swine flu, today at the International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza in Hanoi, Vietnam, an infectious diseases expert is raising red flags about the ongoing presence of H5N1, also known as avian flu.
That other H-something N-something virus continues to be a "serious menace" even though bird flu has mostly been eliminated from the 63 countries it infected during the high-point of the global outbreak in 2006, according to U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Juan Lubroth.
At a recent conference, Lubroth said bird flu is still present in Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam. Just a few days ago a 22-year-old man and a 2-year-old tested positive for the virus in Bac Can province in Vietnam, Reuters reports."
As you read through the article, you would notice that they have mentioned about Mr. Crawford Killian, whose blog I follow intensively and whose writing inspired me to start off my own blog.
World : Millions spent on malaria but problems remain
Via AP:
" Health groups have spent more than a billion dollars and bought millions of bednets to fight malaria, and 20 African countries have increased their bednet coverage at least fivefold, new research says.
In a report on the status of malaria in Africa issued on Monday by UNICEF and Roll Back Malaria, a U.N.-led partnership, the authors said $1.8 billion was spent last year, a 10-fold jump since 2004.
More than 150 million insecticide-treated bednets to protect against the mosquito-borne disease have been produced and donors have purchased 160 million drug treatments.
If the bednets are indeed getting to people at risk, that number puts some countries on target to reach a U.N. goal of providing a bednet to all 350 million people at risk of malaria by the end of this year, officials said.
But other experts said the figures are an artificial symbol of success against the disease."
" Health groups have spent more than a billion dollars and bought millions of bednets to fight malaria, and 20 African countries have increased their bednet coverage at least fivefold, new research says.
In a report on the status of malaria in Africa issued on Monday by UNICEF and Roll Back Malaria, a U.N.-led partnership, the authors said $1.8 billion was spent last year, a 10-fold jump since 2004.
More than 150 million insecticide-treated bednets to protect against the mosquito-borne disease have been produced and donors have purchased 160 million drug treatments.
If the bednets are indeed getting to people at risk, that number puts some countries on target to reach a U.N. goal of providing a bednet to all 350 million people at risk of malaria by the end of this year, officials said.
But other experts said the figures are an artificial symbol of success against the disease."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)