H1N1 FLU PANDEMIC
WASHINGTON - THE US and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere are bracing themselves for a second wave of Influenza A (H1N1) infections that could strike millions of people and contribute to the hospitalisation and deaths of thousands, including many children and young adults.
While flu viruses are notoriously capricious, making any firm predictions impossible, a second wave could hit the Northern Hemisphere within weeks and lead to major disruptions in schools, workplaces and hospitals, according to US and international health officials.
Since emerging last spring in Mexico, the H1N1 virus has spread to 168 countries at least, causing over 162,000 confirmed cases and playing a role in at least 1,154 deaths, including 436 in the US. As the first flu pandemic in 41 years spread through the Southern Hemisphere's winter recently, scientists have been closely monitoring the virus for clues to how much of a threat it might pose this autumn.
So far, no signs have emerged that the microbe has mutated into a more dangerous form. Most people who get infected seem to experience relatively mild illness.
Still, in the Southern Hemisphere, which experiences winter during the Northern Hemisphere's summer, the virus caused a more intense and somewhat earlier flu season in some places.
Its appearance in countries such as South Africa and India, both of which have just recorded their first deaths, is raising concern that the pandemic could be devastating if it begins to sicken large numbers of people in places with fewer resources.
Meanwhile, concern about a second wave has prompted a flurry of activity by federal, state and local officials in the United States.
Many experts suspect the second wave could be more severe than an average flu season, which hospitalises an estimated 200,000 Americans and contributes to 36,000 deaths. Because the virus is new, most people have no immunity against it.
The number of cases could increase rapidly as soon as schools begin to reopen in the next few weeks and could accelerate further as cooler, drier temperatures return, possibly peaking in October.
That is much earlier than the usual flu season, and it could create confusion. People could start getting sick with the H1N1 flu before a vaccine is widely available and nonetheless be urged to get vaccinated against the regular seasonal flu, which will be available first.
WASHINGTON POST
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Monday, August 10, 2009
H1N1 Vaccines Not Expected Until Fall
Federal Officials Urge Preparedness
POSTED: 3:53 pm EDT August 10, 2009
UPDATED: 3:56 pm EDT August 10, 2009
BOSTON -- Federal health officials said Monday that it could be Thanksgiving before there is widespread protection from the H1N1 flu. The prediction was based on the belief that the first batches of the vaccine will be available to the public in mid-October. Children, whom they said would be among the first to receive the vaccination, will require two doses, two weeks apart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said given that timetable, he would not expect large numbers of the population to have immunity to the virus until approximately one month after the first dose is given. Frieden said he believes “there will be plenty of vaccine” for everyone who wants to get the H1N1 shot to get it, but that the complete supply will not be available all at once. Frieden and U.S. education secretary Arne Duncan held a conference call with reporters to brief the media on federal preparedness for the upcoming school year, which will begin before the H1N1 vaccine is available. There is growing concern that schools could become a hotbed for the virus to spread. So far in Massachusetts, according to the Department of Public Health, there have been 1,383 confirmed cases of H1N1. Nearly half of all cases have involved children between the ages of 5 and 18. That’s one reason why children 6 months and up will be first in line to receive the vaccine when it becomes available. So will pregnant women, health care workers, and people who care for infants under 6 months of age. In Massachusetts, according to the DPH statistics, so far 51 of the confirmed H1N1 cases have been pregnant women. One hundred and seventy six of the 1,383 have required hospitalization and there have been 10 deaths attributed to the virus in the state. The CDC recently released $260 million to states to prepare for the potential of widespread outbreaks this fall. Federal officials confirmed any decision to close specific schools would be made on a state or local level. Even without a vaccine, the administration urged parents, students, teachers and members of the general public to follow three common sense steps to prevent the spread of the virus. They said if you’re sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. And third, they suggested everyone wash hands often. Frieden said he does not expect side effects from the H1N1 vaccine to vary from those commonly seen after patients receive the seasonal flu vaccine, which, he said, 100 million Americans get every year.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary: H1N1 Flu will get jump on H1N1 Vaccine
August 9th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Tuesday that pandemic H1N1 flu probably will flare up soon after schools open at the end of August for this fall, before vaccine is available.
Napolitano also acknowledged that there would not be enough pandemic flu vaccine for everyone, at least in the early stages of the flu season. "There will be prioritization of vaccinations," she told members of the USA TODAY editorial board.
The flu strain causing the pandemic, a new H1N1 virus also known as swine flu, is especially dangerous because it differs from every other known flu virus. As a result, most people are defenseless against it. That makes a vaccine the keystone of any effort to prevent illness and save lives. The first batches of the vaccine are due in mid-October.
Napolitano said this year's flu season probably will be severe but not as severe as the 1918 pandemic, the world's worst. In 1918, flu killed at least 675,000 people in the USA and up to 50 million worldwide. She said it's more likely that the pandemic would mirror 1957, when flu killed about 70,000 people in the USA and 1 million to 2 million people worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 36,000 people in the USA die and 200,000 are hospitalized in typical flu seaons.
William Schaffner, a flu expert at Vanderbilt University, cautions that "flu is fickle" and there's no way to predict precisely how the coming flu season will unfold. One difference between H1N1 flu and the 1957 version is that the new virus strikes a higher proportion of children and young people than the elderly. "If that holds, the group most vulnerable to the complications of influenza will continue to be spared," Schaffner says. "But H1N1 has a tremendous capacity to make children and young adults very sick."
Last week, a panel of experts advised the CDC that the first vaccinations should go to pregnant women; parents and contacts of children younger than 6 months; health care workers; all children and young adults; and all non-elderly adults with chronic medical conditions. The government recommends vaccinations for seasonal and swine flu.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Tuesday that pandemic H1N1 flu probably will flare up soon after schools open at the end of August for this fall, before vaccine is available.
Napolitano also acknowledged that there would not be enough pandemic flu vaccine for everyone, at least in the early stages of the flu season. "There will be prioritization of vaccinations," she told members of the USA TODAY editorial board.
The flu strain causing the pandemic, a new H1N1 virus also known as swine flu, is especially dangerous because it differs from every other known flu virus. As a result, most people are defenseless against it. That makes a vaccine the keystone of any effort to prevent illness and save lives. The first batches of the vaccine are due in mid-October.
Napolitano said this year's flu season probably will be severe but not as severe as the 1918 pandemic, the world's worst. In 1918, flu killed at least 675,000 people in the USA and up to 50 million worldwide. She said it's more likely that the pandemic would mirror 1957, when flu killed about 70,000 people in the USA and 1 million to 2 million people worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 36,000 people in the USA die and 200,000 are hospitalized in typical flu seaons.
William Schaffner, a flu expert at Vanderbilt University, cautions that "flu is fickle" and there's no way to predict precisely how the coming flu season will unfold. One difference between H1N1 flu and the 1957 version is that the new virus strikes a higher proportion of children and young people than the elderly. "If that holds, the group most vulnerable to the complications of influenza will continue to be spared," Schaffner says. "But H1N1 has a tremendous capacity to make children and young adults very sick."
Last week, a panel of experts advised the CDC that the first vaccinations should go to pregnant women; parents and contacts of children younger than 6 months; health care workers; all children and young adults; and all non-elderly adults with chronic medical conditions. The government recommends vaccinations for seasonal and swine flu.
WHO cautions against random purchase of antiviral drugs in India
The Daily
Srinagar, Aug 9
With the sudden rise in the frequency of pandemic H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) in India, World Health Organization Sunday issued a warning on the purchase of antiviral drugs without the prescription while four students with suspected Swine Flu symptoms were quarantined at Government Medical College Jammu.
“Two cases of suspected swine flu have been reported in Jammu,” said Medical Superintendent of GMC Jammu Ramesh Gupta.
He said the students - one studying in Bangalore and another in Pune, have been kept in isolation. “They had returned home to spend summer vacations here. One of them was staying in Kathua and the other at Nanak Nagar Jammu”.
“The blood samples of these suspects have been sent to Delhi,” Gupta added.
“Two more students checked into the hospital in similar condition and were quarantined by a special team of doctors,” Principal GMC hospital, Rajinder Singh told wire news agency.
Meanwhile, Communication Chief, UNICEF India Angela Walker while talking to Rising Kashmir over phone from New Delhi on behalf of WHO said, “WHO has advised people not to purchase medicines to fight or prevent influenza A (H1N1) unless prescribed by a health care practitioner in line with national pandemic influenza preparedness plans”.
“Testing has shown that the currently circulating influenza (H1N1) virus is sensitive to anti-virals such as Oseltmivir or Zanamivir, which are authorized in a number of WHO member States,” she informed.
The step, WHO India authorities say, has been taken as the widespread inappropriate use of these medicines could increase the risk of the virus developing resistance in them. “Antivirals should therefore only be purchased with a prescription from a health practitioner who has examined the patient,” Walker added.
The warning further says the products sold outside the authorized ‘national medicine supply chains’ should not be purchased. “Besides caution should be exercised in buying antivirals over the internet,” it said.
The warning further states that unlicensed and illegal internet pharmacies take orders and payments with no assurance of the medicines being delivered.
WHO had last month sounded an all-India alert saying that the pandemic can spread like never before in the coming flu seasons especially in tourist destinations all over India.
Symptoms/Precautions
So far most of people, who have contracted the new influenza A (H1N1) virus have experienced influenza-like symptoms such as sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, malaise, headache, joint/muscle pain.
WHO has issued following advice to those who experience flu-like symptoms:
. Stay home and avoid close contact with others until at least 24 hours after the symptoms are completely gone.
. Wash hands frequently and always cover his mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
. Wear a simple surgical mask when meeting others
. In case of severe symptoms like difficulty in breathing, pain or pressure in the chest abdomen, sudden dizziness confusion and severe or persistent vomiting, one should seek medical care immediately.
Int’l Swine Flu Conference Add More Breakout Sessions
Press Releases August 9th, 2009
Organizing Committee adds more sessions to conference as a result of delegates input
The International Swine Flu Conference organizing committee has responded to the needs of the ISFC delegates by adding more breakout sessions to the upcoming event. Sessions added include presentations on the school/university pandemic planning, continuity of operations (COOP) and government planning, Infectious Medical Waste, Psychological Issues and many more. ISFC will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington DC on Capitol Hill, August 19-20 and will be followed by all day hands-on workshops on the 21st.
“Our delegates requested for more sessions at the conference and we responded,” said Ahmed Farajallah, Senior Vice President, events and conferences, New Fields. “Emergency Preparedness Leaders, Health and School Officials, Business, Public and Private sector Partners will have access to H1N1 Flu experts from around the world to address the issues of continuous planning for a possible severe outbreak of H1N1 flu this fall.”
The ongoing Swine Flu pandemic proved that now more than ever health, education, government, non-profit organizations, and business executives need to focus, discuss and share best practices and lessons that will be learned during this pandemic in the age of globalization.
With delegates from Tribal, local, state, federal along with 32 countries already registered, the ISFC will provide a platform for public health officials and community stakeholders to come together, to network and exchange preparedness and response efforts. Priority will be placed on identifying the responsibilities of various stakeholders in order to improve global communication coordination and collaboration.
Each day of the conference will offer papers on a wide range of topics including:
Preparing Community Strategies
Local Partnership and Participation
Delivery of Vaccine and Antiviral Medication
Emergency Response and Hospital/Healthcare Coordination
Prevention Education Efforts and Risk Communication
Command, Control and Management
Business Community’s Role
Panel Discussions include:
Clinical Picture: Country Report & Situation Update
Clinical Picture: Impact of US Export Regulations on International Cooperation in the H1N1 Pandemic Flu Response
Risk Communication, Prevention Education Efforts and Risk Communication
Understanding the Connection Between Human and Animal Disease, Exploring One World, One Health
Vaccines delivery
Over 20 breakout sessions will be offered addressing a wide range of issues, including:
Breakout- Agricultural Perspective: Socio-Economic Impact on Swine Industry
Breakout: Schools/University Planning: How and When to Close Schools
Breakout: Mass Fatality Management Planning
Breakout: Business Continuity Planning, “Pandemic Showstoppers: What leads to Success or Failure at the local Community level”
Breakout: School Emergency Preparedness
Breakout: Hospital and Emergency Medical Services
Breakout- COOP and Continuity of Gov’t Planning: “Gearing up for the Fall: Rapid Training & Exercises for Health Department Staff & Partners”
Breakout- Business Continuity: Preparing the Community for a Severe H1N1
Breakout- Business Continuity: Global Pandemic Planning at Visa
Breakout: Schools/University Planning: The Uniqueness of Planning for Swine Flu in Higher Education: We are Much Different than the k-12 System
Breakout: Prevention for Schools for Students, School Personnel, Parents and Communities
Breakout: Emergency Management: States Perspective and Strategy for Pandemic Influenza- Command, Control and Management
Breakout- Hospital & Emergency Medical Services: Impact of Swine Flu on Emergency Medical Services
Breakout- Community-Based Planning, Community Preparedness
Breakout: COOP & Continuity Govt Planning
And many more…
Workshops include:
Learn How to Plan – Contingency Scenario Exercise for Pandemic Influenza
Learn How to Plan
Protect your Community
Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness Through Volunteer Resources
Know How to Respond
Plan to Continue
Registration:
The 2-day event is open to all interested governmental agencies, organizations, and businesses from all countries. To register, Call us at 202-536-5000, or download a registration form: www.new-fields.com/isfc/registration.pdf. Complete and fax to 202-280-1239.
Those interested in making presentations related to the Swine Flu or pandemic preparedness, please contact our research department by e-mail at Research {at} new-fields(.)com.
About New Fields:
The International Swine Flu Conference is organized by New Fields Exhibitions, Washington, DC, international specialists in public health and emergency planning events and disaster recovery conferences. For expedited registration and other information, contact 202-536-5000. To learn more about latest conference developments please visit: www.New-Fields.com/isfc.
Contacts
New Fields Exhibitions, Inc.
Ahmed Farajallah
202-536-5000
Organizing Committee adds more sessions to conference as a result of delegates input
The International Swine Flu Conference organizing committee has responded to the needs of the ISFC delegates by adding more breakout sessions to the upcoming event. Sessions added include presentations on the school/university pandemic planning, continuity of operations (COOP) and government planning, Infectious Medical Waste, Psychological Issues and many more. ISFC will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington DC on Capitol Hill, August 19-20 and will be followed by all day hands-on workshops on the 21st.
“Our delegates requested for more sessions at the conference and we responded,” said Ahmed Farajallah, Senior Vice President, events and conferences, New Fields. “Emergency Preparedness Leaders, Health and School Officials, Business, Public and Private sector Partners will have access to H1N1 Flu experts from around the world to address the issues of continuous planning for a possible severe outbreak of H1N1 flu this fall.”
The ongoing Swine Flu pandemic proved that now more than ever health, education, government, non-profit organizations, and business executives need to focus, discuss and share best practices and lessons that will be learned during this pandemic in the age of globalization.
With delegates from Tribal, local, state, federal along with 32 countries already registered, the ISFC will provide a platform for public health officials and community stakeholders to come together, to network and exchange preparedness and response efforts. Priority will be placed on identifying the responsibilities of various stakeholders in order to improve global communication coordination and collaboration.
Each day of the conference will offer papers on a wide range of topics including:
Preparing Community Strategies
Local Partnership and Participation
Delivery of Vaccine and Antiviral Medication
Emergency Response and Hospital/Healthcare Coordination
Prevention Education Efforts and Risk Communication
Command, Control and Management
Business Community’s Role
Panel Discussions include:
Clinical Picture: Country Report & Situation Update
Clinical Picture: Impact of US Export Regulations on International Cooperation in the H1N1 Pandemic Flu Response
Risk Communication, Prevention Education Efforts and Risk Communication
Understanding the Connection Between Human and Animal Disease, Exploring One World, One Health
Vaccines delivery
Over 20 breakout sessions will be offered addressing a wide range of issues, including:
Breakout- Agricultural Perspective: Socio-Economic Impact on Swine Industry
Breakout: Schools/University Planning: How and When to Close Schools
Breakout: Mass Fatality Management Planning
Breakout: Business Continuity Planning, “Pandemic Showstoppers: What leads to Success or Failure at the local Community level”
Breakout: School Emergency Preparedness
Breakout: Hospital and Emergency Medical Services
Breakout- COOP and Continuity of Gov’t Planning: “Gearing up for the Fall: Rapid Training & Exercises for Health Department Staff & Partners”
Breakout- Business Continuity: Preparing the Community for a Severe H1N1
Breakout- Business Continuity: Global Pandemic Planning at Visa
Breakout: Schools/University Planning: The Uniqueness of Planning for Swine Flu in Higher Education: We are Much Different than the k-12 System
Breakout: Prevention for Schools for Students, School Personnel, Parents and Communities
Breakout: Emergency Management: States Perspective and Strategy for Pandemic Influenza- Command, Control and Management
Breakout- Hospital & Emergency Medical Services: Impact of Swine Flu on Emergency Medical Services
Breakout- Community-Based Planning, Community Preparedness
Breakout: COOP & Continuity Govt Planning
And many more…
Workshops include:
Learn How to Plan – Contingency Scenario Exercise for Pandemic Influenza
Learn How to Plan
Protect your Community
Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness Through Volunteer Resources
Know How to Respond
Plan to Continue
Registration:
The 2-day event is open to all interested governmental agencies, organizations, and businesses from all countries. To register, Call us at 202-536-5000, or download a registration form: www.new-fields.com/isfc/registration.pdf. Complete and fax to 202-280-1239.
Those interested in making presentations related to the Swine Flu or pandemic preparedness, please contact our research department by e-mail at Research {at} new-fields(.)com.
About New Fields:
The International Swine Flu Conference is organized by New Fields Exhibitions, Washington, DC, international specialists in public health and emergency planning events and disaster recovery conferences. For expedited registration and other information, contact 202-536-5000. To learn more about latest conference developments please visit: www.New-Fields.com/isfc.
Contacts
New Fields Exhibitions, Inc.
Ahmed Farajallah
202-536-5000
Egyptian authorities fear swine flu mutation
by
Martin Morris
on Sunday, 09 August 2009
SWINE FLU: Egyptian authorities fear H1N1 virus may combine with avian flu and mutate. (Getty Images)
Egyptian health authorities are concerned about the risk that the H1N1 swine flu virus and the much deadlier H5N1 avian flu virus could combine with seasonal human influenza.
Speaking to KUNA, Egyptian Minister of Health Hatem Al-Gabali said the bird and swine flu pose the same source of danger to human health.
The minister has urged all citizens to be vigilant and take seriously preventative measures designed to limit the spread of avian flu that has now become endemic in Egypt.
He added that Egypt had reported a total of 82 avian flu human cases since the virus first surfaced in the country, including 27 deaths - the highest rate in the world.
The Egyptian government has set in motion a preventive plan to curb the disease ahead of the school year, scheduled to start on September 26.
To date, 329 swine flu cases have been detected in Egypt so far, with just only death.
case, while 236 have recovered, and the remaining cases are still receiving medication at hospital.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that while the H1N1 virus was stable and there was no sign of it mixing with avian flu or other influenza viruses it has warned that the influenza virus is highly unpredictable and has potential for mutation.
Obama Heads to Summit as North America Braces for Swine Flu
By Roger Runningen and Nicholas Johnston
Aug. 9 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama leaves today for a summit with his counterparts from Mexico and Canada as all three nations brace for a rebound of the deadly H1N1 swine flu, which may threaten cross-border commerce.
The two-day meeting in Guadalajara among Obama, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is to include talks on easing trade friction, dealing with the recession, battling drug crime and paving the way for climate talks later this year. A pressing topic is the return of the pandemic flu, which emerged in Mexico earlier this year.
“Everybody recognizes that H1N1 is going to be a challenge for all of us and there are going to be people getting sick in the fall and die,” John Brennan, Obama’s deputy national security adviser, said.
Officials are concerned that a widespread outbreak of the H1N1 virus as the regular flu season gets under way in the Northern Hemisphere’s fall may disrupt airline schedules and slow cross-border imports and exports.
All three countries still are being battered by the recession, and economics defines the relationship among them. Canada and Mexico are the U.S.’s first- and third-largest trading partners, generating more than $950 billion of imports and exports last year. Canada and Mexico account for 28 percent of all U.S. trade.
Common Strategy
At the North American Leaders Summit, Obama, 48, Calderon, 46, and Harper, 50, will focus on joint strategies for coordinating medical information, stockpiling vaccines and reviewing distribution plans to “minimize the impact and severity,” Brennan said at an Aug. 6 White House briefing.
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