H1N1 News

News, US Government and UN Updates, and Medical Advice For Health Care Providers

H1n1 In The News

• Sickle Cell Kids at Greater Risk of ‘Swine Flu’ Complications - Findings highlight need to vaccinate against H1N1, seasonal flu, researchers say (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Hematology)

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• Swine flu drug in narcolepsy probe - Fifteen children in Finland were diagnosed with narcolepsy after receiving swine flu vaccine – but it could have occurred by chance (Source: New Scientist - Health)
• Swine flu boosts Scottish GP consultations during winter - Measures to protect against swine flu sent the number of consultations in Scotland "through the roof", according to official figures (Source: Management in Practice)
• Probe into possible link between swine flu vaccine and narcolepsy - The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is investigating a possible link between the swine flu vaccine Pandemrix and cases of narcolepsy. (Source: Pulse)
• Evidence-based vaccinations: A scientific look at the missing science behind flu season vaccines - The objectives of the study were to: "Identify, retrieve and assess all studies evaluating the effects of vaccines against influenza in healthy adults."The Search Criteria: "We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, 2010, issue 2), MEDLINE (January 1966 to June 2010) and EMBASE (1990 to June 2010)."Selection Criteria (for inclusion in the study): "Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing influenza vaccines with placebo or no intervention in naturally-occurring influenza in healthy individuals aged 16 to 65 years. We also included comparative studies assessing serious and rare harms."The Total Scope of the study encompassed over 70,000 people. And just so you know, these the results may strongly favor the vaccine indus...

US Government Feed

• Estimating Seasonal Influenza-Associated Deaths in the U.S: CDC Study Confirms Variability of Flu - Estimating Seasonal Influenza-Associated Deaths in the United States: CDC Study Confirms Variability of Flu
• Review Calls for New Federal Approach to Medical Countermeasures - HHS Secretary releases review and recommendations driven by pandemic flu experience
• WHO Director-General Statement - The world is no longer in phase 6 of influenza pandemic alert. We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course.
• WHO Recommendations for the Post-pandemic Period - The world is now in the post-pandemic period. Based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus for some years to come.
• Questions and Answers: CSL Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Safety in the U.S. - CSL Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Safety in the United States

UN Feed

• Influenza - update 115 - Worldwide, H1N1 2009 virus transmission remains most intense in parts of India and in parts of the temperate southern hemisphere, particularly New Zealand and more recently in Australia.
• Influenza - update 114 - The situation in New Zealand and India remains largely unchanged since the last update. Influenza H1N1 (2009) virus transmission remains locally intense in parts of India and New Zealand.
• Influenza - update 113 - Influenza H1N1 (2009) virus transmission remains locally intense in parts of India and New Zealand.
• Director-General statement following the ninth meeting of the Emergency Committee - The Emergency Committee held its ninth meeting by teleconference on 10 August 2010.
• WHO recommendations for the post-pandemic period - The world is now in the post-pandemic period. Based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus for some years to come. While the level of concern is now greatly diminished, vigilance on the part of national health authorities remains important. Such vigilance is especially critical in the immediate post-pandemic period, when the behaviour of the H1N1 (2009) virus as a seasonal virus cannot be reliably predicted.

Medical News

• Death Rates for Flu Vary Widely from Year to Year - Death rates associated with influenza vary widely from season to season, but are markedly higher when the more lethal H3N2 strains are prominent among circulating flu variants, according to new CDC estimates.
• Pandemic Flu Strain Will Be Component of Seasonal Vaccine - As expected, the U.S. flu vaccine for next fall will include the pandemic flu that has swept the world, the FDA said.
• Pandemic Strain Dominated Most Recent Flu Season - Pandemic H1NI influenza was almost the only type of flu virus circulating in the U.S. during the 2009-2010 flu season -- and it disproportionately affected younger age groups, according to the CDC.
• Prospects Improve for Universal Flu Vaccine - A novel DNA-based influenza vaccine strategy successfully immunized mice and ferrets against infection with multiple flu strains, suggesting that future flu vaccines may not have to be reformulated every year.
• FDA Warns Consumers About Fake Tamiflu Online - WASHINGTON -- The FDA warned consumers Thursday to be alert for websites selling a fake "generic" version of the flu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which may be dangerous to patients allergic to penicillin.