H1N1 Flu: Key Info, Web Resources and News Headlines
by Clive Riddle, July 29, 2009
So the health care community has been warned for some time to brace for a surge in swine flu this fall. As August approaches, what’s the latest? The following is a summary compiled of some key information, key web resources, and recent news headline:
- KEY INFORMATION –
CDC provides this summary in their latest situation update: “On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world. Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment.”
According to the CDC Novel H1N1 Flu Situation Update as of July 24, 2009, the U.S. has experienced 43,771 cases involving 302 deaths. The top five states by number of cases are:
- Wisconsin 6222 cases; 6 deaths
- Texas 5151 cases; 27 deaths
- Illinois 3404 cases; 17 deaths
- California 3161 cases; 52 deaths
- Florida 2915 cases; 23 deaths
For the week of July 12 -18 the CDC reported that:
· Widespread influenza activity was reported by seven states (California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, and New Jersey).
· Regional influenza activity was reported by Puerto Rico and 13 states (Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia).
· Local influenza activity was reported by the District of Columbia and 13 states (Alaska, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin).
· Sporadic activity was reported by 17 states (Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming).
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest update, as of July 24, 2009, states “in most countries the majority of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases are still occurring in younger people, with the median age reported to be 12 to 17 years (based on data from Canada, Chile, Japan, UK and the United States of America). Some reports suggest that persons requiring hospitalization and patients with fatal illness may be slightly older.... The development of new candidate vaccine viruses by the WHO network is continuing to improve yields (currently 25% to 50 % of the normal yields for seasonal influenza for some manufacturers). WHO will be able to revise its estimate of pandemic vaccine supply once it has the new yield information. Other important information will also be provided by results of ongoing and soon-to be-initiated vaccine clinical trials. These trials will give a better idea of the number of doses required for a person to be immunized, as well as of the quantity on active principle (antigen) needed in each vaccine dose. Manufacturers are expected to have vaccines for use around September. A number of companies are working on the pandemic vaccine production and have different timelines.”
- WEB RESOURCES -
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
Key Facts About Swine Influenza
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Novel H1N1 Flu Situation Update
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Their Close Contacts
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Alert Center
- NEWS HEADLINES -
H1N1 Flu Spreads to Remote Corners of the World
Reuters Health Information, July 28, 2009
Pregnancy Likely to Be Swine Flu Shot Priority
Associated Press via Google, July 28, 2009
H1N1 Flu Shots Ready in Months, Winter a Risk: WHO
Reuters Health Information, July 27, 2009
China Presses Quarantine Against Flu
Swine flu could hit up to 40% in U.S. this year and next without vaccine
Associated Press via USA TODAY, July 26, 2009
US: 160M doses of swine flu vaccine due in Oct.
AP via GoogleNews, July 23, 2009
First Trials of Swine Flu Vaccine Begin in Australia
Grants to States and Territories, July 2009
2 Comments By Riddle, Clive | Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 01:36PM tagged Clinical & Quality| Web & Social Media 
Reader Comments (2)
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The flu has hit my family hard. My wife has been to the hospital 3 times, son once and myself once. I have been washing my hands as much as possible and also on many medications. The most relief fro the head aches and sinus runs as I call them was from my allergy spray called Flonase over the counter. I read up on it at "kiwi drug" which really has helped me sleep and Im hoping to feel better soon