H1N1 flu victim collapsed on way to hospital [Latest H1N1 updates downthread]

Andy Berumen’s Last Hours And His Family’s Bid For Help - CO

Despite the fact he was often to stubborn to ask for help, his wife was not. The only problem is, when she did reach out the response was too little, too late.
Posted: 8:37 PM Oct 14, 2009
Reporter: Jason Aubry
Email Address: Jaubry@kktv.com

Ronald Andrew Berumen, or Andy as he liked to be called, was a loving father, husband, brother and son according to his family members. He was 37 when he died October 6, 2009. With two children of his own, he met his wife five years ago when looking for a daycare provider. It didn’t take him long to ask her out, and from the first date on they knew they were perfect for each other. “We were inseparable. Since our first date we were glued at the hip, and I started loving him and he started loving me and it was just so different to find that true love, that person that loves you unconditionally,” says Josette Berumen. Andy and Josette married in April.

With two children of his own, he took Josette’s son under his wing as well. It wasn’t the first time Andy would help raise a child he didn’t father. He helped his sister Toni Casados raise her two children before she married her current husband. He loved kids. He also loved a good joke. “He liked to be the center of attention, he liked for everybody to just have fun,” says Casados. But Andy could be stubborn too, his sister says. Sometimes Andy wouldn’t let on he wasn’t feeling well. “You hate to say it but he was a man. A macho type, never [wanted] anybody to know he was sick with his seizures,” says Casados.

Andy started developing a seizure disorder around 1995. Since then, he has had to give up many things he would have liked to do. Giving up the ability to drive was a big sacrifice. “It would bother him when he would say, we have to be somewhere can you come pick us up... I think he did without a lot because he didn’t want to ask,” says Casados.

Despite the fact he was often to stubborn to ask for help, his wife was not. The only problem is, when she did reach out the response was too little, too late.

On Sunday October 4, Andy woke up around 2:00 a.m. with a fever of 103 degrees. A cold bath and fever reducing medicine knocked it down to about 100 degrees. That day he started coughing, and showing flu-like symptoms. Monday, October 5 he was still not feeling well, and since the kids were off of school he took a sick day and spent time with them. Whenever his temperature would spike, fever reducing medicine would knock it down slightly. He insisted he was fine, and that he would be okay. That evening he talked to his sister. “Even at that point we were laughing and joking, and he never said it was ever that bad. And then we told each other we loved each other, and that was the last time I spoke to my brother,” says Casados.

Tuesday morning, his fever returned once more, and his wife wasn’t waiting any longer. At 7:15 a.m. she calls the Pueblo Community Health Center. She is told to call back during normal business hours. When she calls back at 8:38 a.m. she says she was put on hold for 20 minutes. When she finally gets through to someone they tell her they can’t see Andy that day because there were no openings. They also tell her to bring him in if his fever continues at a high level and doesn’t break with fever reducing medications later in the week.

Taking them at their word, she left for work, but once she got there she started looking up information on the internet about the H1N1 virus. Convinced that her husband was suffering from the virus, she called the health center back and insisted that he be seen right away. She was concerned about his high blood pressure and that seizure disorder may complicate things. The center found an open slot to fit Andy in, and he was scheduled to be there at 6:45 that evening. Josette calls her husband to tell him she has an appointment for him at 10:10 a.m. It was one of the last times she spoke to her husband.

Josette says she also contacted St. Mary Corwin Hospital and asks to be connected with the “ask a nurse” program. They told her to alternate Tylenol and Motrin every two hours to keep the fever down and that if his condition doesn’t improve to bring him in later that week. She says she told them about his seizures when they asked if he had any other chronic illnesses.

When Josette tried to call Andy at 11:00 a.m. no one answered. She knew something was wrong, so she left work. On her way home, her son called her from school because he was not feeling well. After picking him up the two arrived at home and began looking for Andy. Josette found him without a pulse, in bed. A few days later the Pueblo County Coroner informed her, Andy died from the H1N1 virus. He also had pneumonia, and his respiratory system had simply shut down.

“We’re not here to blame anybody or criticize... I think procedures have to be changed and I think people on both sides of the line have to take this seriously,” says Ronald Berumen, father of the deceased. The family doesn’t want any other family in Southern Colorado to go through what they are going through right now.
“We’re not here to blame anybody or criticize... I think procedures have to be changed and I think people on both sides of the line have to take this seriously,” says Ronald Berumen, father of the deceased. Meanwhile, officials at both the Pueblo Community Health Center and St. Mary Corwin Hospital are looking into what advice was given to Josette the day her husband died. In defending the phone triage process Dr. David Krause of the health center says, “Basically we follow the CDC’s guidelines... and generally speaking we end most of our triage calls with the advice that if things get worse or if you don’t think you can wait you should go to the emergency room.” Josette insists that didn’t occur.

The family doesn’t want any other family in Southern Colorado to go through what they are going through right now. If you have a chronic illness, and you have flu-like symptoms, don’t roll the dice; just go get help. If you don’t have a chronic illness, but you are still really sick get yourself checked out as well. It’s better to be safe, than sorry. And remember, there are no do-overs if you think you’ll get better on your own... and you turn out to be wrong.

http://www.kktv.com/news/headlines/64329867.html

Surviving swine flu: One family’s story

VIDEO: http://www.winknews.com/r?19=950&32=3801&7=163126&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.winknews.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2F64329962.html%3Fskipthumb%3DY&41=Video+ONLY+ON+WINK%3A+Surviving+swine+flu%3A+One+family%27s+story&18=0.6095488873320457

By Jeremiah Jacobsen

Story Created: Oct 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM EDT
(Story Updated: Oct 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM EDT )

LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Health officials say one of the most alarming things about the H1N1 swine flu outbreak is the fact its hitting hardest among otherwise heatlthy people, like a 9 year-old girl in Lee County.

Hayli Murphy has been at the ICU at HealthPark’s Children’s Hospital for more than three weeks. Her family says she was never seriously ill before, but was quickly on the brink of death because of the swine flu virus.

Hayli’s mother Julie says the virus hit suddenly and strongly. Hayli had complained of a fever on a Sunday a few weeks ago.

“She had no common symptoms like most people, like the flu bugs and the coughing and the sore throat,” Julie Murphy said.

A couple of doctor’s visits followed, but by Tuesday, the fever spiked to 104 degrees. The next day, it was even worse.

“(We) came back (to the hospital) Wednesday, when she couldn’t walk, she couldn’t get up, she had a 105.3 fever,” Murphy said. “I was just beside myself, I didn’t know what to do because everything that conventionally you’re supposed to do wasn’t working.”

Three tests later confirmed it was swine flu, complicated by pnuemonia; Hayli was rushed to intensive care.

“Heartbreaking. Because I almost lost her. She was right there. We just had to pray and pray and be by her side.”

Julie Murphy says the severity of the illness was most surprising because Hayli had always been healthy.

“She’s never had asthma, she’s never been sick, she’s never been hospitalized,” Murphy said.

After several tough days, Hayli has been improving, slowly. She’s still connected to a ventilator, and could spend a few more weeks in the ICU

“It can sneak up on you, take your child, and put you through a tornado, hurricane, worse,” Murphy described. “We want her home. She’s making it. She heard me.”

Julie Murphy says she’s also grateful to all of the friends and family who are helping out while she and her husband spend every day at Hayli’s side. A benefit is being planned at Benchwarmer’s in South Fort Myers on Sunday, November 8th.

A fund has also been set up at Fifth Third bank. Donations can be made under the name Hayli A. Murphy.

http://www.winknews.com/news/local/64329962.html

More information about the 8th grader from Rotan, Texas:

Rotan boy, 14, dies after fighting the flu
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/oct/14/fludeath/
By Celinda Emison October 14, 2009

A 14-year-old Rotan boy died Tuesday at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth after battling flu symptoms for three weeks.

Michael Soliz, an eighth-grader at Rotan Junior High, was apparently suffering from swine flu and other illnesses.

“We were told he was suffering from swine flu, pneumonia and a staph infection,” said Rotan Superintendent Kent Ruffin.

He said the boy was a “top-notch student” who was “liked by everyone.”

“We hated to lose him,” Ruffin said.

Grief counselors were brought in Wednesday to help other students with the loss, he said.

“It was very helpful,” Ruffin said.

There have not been that many flu cases reported in Rotan this year, Ruffin said. Two elementary students came down with the flu, but it has not been diagnosed as H1N1.

“Both of the elementary students had to be hospitalized,” he said.

School officials have sent literature home to help parents recognize flu symptoms. And parents have been instructed not to bring children to school who are running fever.

Plus, measures are being taken to minimize the spread of germs.

“We are wiping down doorknobs and we have a plan should an outbreak occur,” he said.

Last week, the De Leon school district and the Comanche Paradigm school canceled classes because of the flu. Both reopened this week.

South Georgian dies of H1N1

Angie Thompson

TIFTON — A 50-year-old Irwin County man died Tuesday of complications of H1N1 (swine flu), making his the first death in the 10-county health district to attributed to swine flu.

Courtney Sheeley, who works as the South Health District 8-1’s media relations person, confirmed the death. She said privacy laws prevented her from revealing the man’s name, but that she could confirm that he was 50 and from Irwin County.

“He did have underlying health conditions,” Sheeley said.

The announcement came Wednesday, the same day east Georgia officials announced the death of a 10-year-old girl from the disease.

State health officials say that Summer Rockefeller of Harlem, Ga., died Saturday. Officials say she is the second child in the state who died of the illness without having an underlying health condition. the first was Candy Chen

Columbia County school board member Roxanne Whitaker said the girl’s parents lost their jobs and had no health insurance to pay medical costs. She said the family has “lost their home and everything else.”

The Harlem Baptist Church is planning a Nov. 5 fundraiser to help the family defray some costs.

The Irwin County man was reportedly being treated by a Tifton doctor and died at Tift Regional Medical Center. Sheeley said she couldn’t confirm when the man was diagnosed as having H1N1. Chris Efaw, TRMC’s director of media relations, referred questions to the South Health District 8-1 office.

Sheeley said the man’s death was the first swine flu death in the district, which includes the counties of Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner. No deaths have been reported in the Southwest Health District, which includes Colquitt County.

Some 27 people in Georgia have died from swine flu and more than 500 people have been hospitalized from the virus, according to an Associated Press report.

Health departments in the region have opened up priority groups for those who could begin getting the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine, Sheeley said. Healthy children 2 to 4 years old, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age and health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact are the current priority.

“These priority groups have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Lynne Feldman, M.D., district health director. “With guidance from our state office, we made the decision to open up the priority groups to receive the H1N1 nasal spray to make it available to a broader group of high-risk individuals.”

The H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is expected to be safe and effective; however, it will not prevent influenza-like illnesses caused by other viruses, such as seasonal flu. People interested in being protected from both seasonal flu and H1N1 should receive both vaccines this year.

Those who should not get the nasal-spray form of the vaccine are pregnant women; anyone with a weakened immune system; anyone with long-term health conditions such as heart disease or asthma; anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders; anyone in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system; and children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment. Also, anyone who has a severe allergy to eggs should not get the shot or nasal spray vaccine.

Other priority groups, such as pregnant women, may start receiving the vaccine once the H1N1 shots have arrived.

http://www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_287225509.html?keyword=topstory

Swine Flu Death Toll India rises to 399
http://www.breakingnewsonline.net/2009/10/swine-flu-death-toll-india-rises-to-399.html
October 15, 2009

Three more people were confirmed dead of A H1N1 in Maharashtra, taking the Swine Flu death toll to 399. Maharashtra has now accounted for 168 Swine flu deaths, while Karnataka is on second spot with 112 Swine Flu casualties. 150 new cases of Swine Flu were reported across the country, taking the total number of affected people to 12,334.

While one person died of A H1N1 virus on Wednesday, the other deaths were recorded earlier. The laboratory tests confirmed that they died of Swine Flu.

Out of the 150 new cases, 48 were reported from Delhi. Karnataka reported 23 new cases, followed by Kerala (21), Tamil Nadu (19), Maharashtra (19), and Haryana (16).

Parents React to 4-Year-Old H1N1 Death

10/14/09 10:15 pm
reporter: Jerry Giordano producer: Natalie Andes

Tulsa, OK -

Funeral services were held Wednesday for 4-year-old Geato McCarty. McCarty died on Saturday as a result of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.

Geato was a pre-K student at Cooper Elementary School in East Tulsa. It’s making parents very nervous.

Jennifer Rogers is picking her kids up from school.

“My kids go to Cooper Elementary. I have an 11-year-old in fifth grade and a 9-year-old in fourth grade,” explains Rogers.

But things at Cooper Elementary are different now, after it was confirmed that 4 year old pre-k student, Geato McCarty, died from H1N1 swine flu.

“It’s scary. You don’t want to think about it,” says Rogers.

And lots of people feel the very same way.

Parents were sent home a letter talking about how to handle a tragic loss and avoid spreading infectious disease. And it’s not the first deadly case. An East Central High School student also died from H1N1 a few weeks back.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had our second deadly case in Tulsa County and they are both children. This should stand as a tragic reminder,” explains Melanie Christian of the Tulsa County Health Department.

It’s a reminder to be safe and take proper precautions. Jennifer Rogers is already doing her part.

“My son was recently sick and I kept him out for a week. I don’t want him spreading it. I kept him out of sports everything,” explains Rogers.

Since September 1st, 6 Oklahomans have died as a result of the H1N1 virus.

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/1009/668723.html

DAILY FATALITY SUMMARY (Reports posted on October 14,2009)

UNITED STATES 20

California 2

Florida 3

Georgia 2

Kansas 1

Maryland 1

New Mexico 3

New York 1

North Carolina 1

Oklahoma 1

Texas 2

Utah 3

CANADA 2

British Columbia 1

Ontario 1

WORLDWIDE 20

China(Hong Kong) 1

Columbia 10

India 3

Kuwait 1

Spain 2*

United Kingdom 2

Venezuela 1

NOTES: The US total is now 1040.

Spain`s cases are newly revealed older fatalities amid controversy that the government is hideing deaths.

http://www.singtomeohmuse.com/viewforum.php?f=1

2 DIE FROM SWINE FLU (Trinidad and Tobago)
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,109160.html
By Leiselle Maraj and Cecily Asson Thursday, October 15 2009

Influenza A/H1N1, or swine flu, has claimed its first victims in Trinidad and Tobago.

Health Minister Jerry Narace yesterday confirmed two men have died from the virus at the San Fernando General Hospital on Tuesday night.

“It is indeed difficult and sad for any Minister of Health to report fatalities to the nation. And although on a scientific level we expected this, on the human level, it remains disheartening and frustrating to lose lives to this new virus,” Narace said at a press conference yesterday at the ministry’s head office, Park Street, Port-of-Spain.

Another person also died at the hospital yesterday morning but the minister could not confirm if this was another swine flu victim as investigations were continuing into the cause of death. The sex of the deceased was not disclosed, although a hospital source said the victim was a woman.

The deaths of the two men come as a second wave of the virus hits many countries.

Dr Albert Persaud, executive medical director of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), said the first case was a 30-year-old man who went to the hospital 24 hours before he passed away. He described the man as being extremely ill because he was in respiratory distress when he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

Hospital consultants, specialising in severe respiratory illnesses, attended to the patient.

“The symptoms were so severe that he was placed on a machine to assist with his breathing. Unfortunately the illness proved to be more than the treatment offered and he passed away last (Tuesday) night,” Persaud said.

The second patient was a 42-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital from an unnamed private health institution also in severe respiratory distress. Similar treatment was administered but this patient also died on Tuesday night. Persaud said the fact that both men were admitted at such a late stage of the virus increased their risk of death.

Narace and Persaud said proper protocols were followed at the hospital but a team of ministry and SWRHA officials are conducting an audit into the treatment of the two men.

Narace added the treatment the second patient received at the private institution before being admitted to the hospital is also being investigated. He said based on the findings, the ministry hopes to issue policy statements advising the public to not wait until it was too late to seek treatment for symptoms of the virus. Officials are also conducting surveillance of family members, hospital staff and others who came into contact with the victims.

There have been 158 confirmed cases of swine flu in the country with the two deaths. According to statistics from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) 3,406 deaths have been reported in 25 countries of the Americas.

Narace said PAHO has approved Government’s request for 260,000 doses of the Influenza A/ H1N1 vaccinations and the ministry is expecting delivery next month.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Cumberbatch, who was also at the press conference, warned, “We have always maintained that even though the presentation of the virus in Trinidad and Tobago is mild, it remains dangerous which is why we keep insisting serious attention be paid to it.” Although when questioned about the names of the dead victims and the areas where they lived, Cumberbatch said this information remained confidential. When asked whether there was a possible link between these cases since both men died within hours of each other, Cumberbatch said deaths in areas where there is a swine flu outbreak are common.

However, a medical source at the hospital said the two men who died were from Princes Town and Penal. The third death which may have been due to the virus was a woman from Princes Town, the source said.

The woman was admitted to the hospital on Monday and was “extremely ill” the source said. However, because there were no beds available on the medical wards, the woman remained screened off on a gurney in an emergency room in the Accident and Emergency department up until the time of her death. The source said there was great concern among medical staff when a doctor received the X-Ray results of the woman.

“When the results came in, you couldn’t even make out her lungs. It was very bad,” the source said.

“Her condition was deteriorating so quickly she was experiencing severe respiratory problems and had to be put on a ventilator.” The source said the woman died early Tuesday morning, hours before the deaths of the two men. A staff meeting was held on Tuesday and masks were distributed to health workers and the ambulance bay was cordoned off.

A senior doctor told Newsday the virus appears to not be responding to antibiotics. “It seems to be very vicious, it seems to be very different from what we have seen before,” the doctor said. In the release issued Tuesday night, the ministry said while two patients had died at that time, five more people were hospitalised with respiratory symptoms, four of whom were on respiratory support. The medical officials at the press conference yesterday said they had no additional information about these persons.

Cumberbatch said all necessary precautions are being taken at the hospital. “We have sanitised the area and distributed masks and personal protective gear to all hospital staff. Although there are no confirmed cases on the paediatric ward, all health professionals are being advised to wear protective gear to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said. As for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting it remains on schedule for the end of November, said Narace, since the vaccinations will be administered strategically to persons and workers in high risk categories.

Also yesterday there were unconfirmed reports that a student of Exchange Presbyterian Primary School had contracted the virus. Parents rushed to the school at Bryce Street, Couva to take their children home from as early as 12 noon when word spread that a student had symptoms of the virus. This latest incident comes after Grant Memorial Presbyterian School in San Fernando was closed for a week last month when three students contracted swine flu.

Swine Flu Death Toll Rises to 111 in Colombia
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=345651&CategoryId=12393

BOGOTA – The death toll from swine flu in Colombia has risen to 111, with 10 more people dying from the AH1N1 flu virus, the Social Protection Ministry said.

A total of 2,371 confirmed flu cases had been reported as of Monday, the ministry said.

Flu cases have been confirmed in 27 of Colombia’s 32 provinces, in four districts and in 147 of the 1,102 municipalities.

“To reduce the impact of the new influenza virus on Colombia, 327 centers have been created to treat acute respiratory disease” in the country’s provinces, the ministry said.

The first swine flu case in Colombia was reported on May 3 in the central city of Zipaquira, while the first death from the disease occurred June 4 in Bogota.
_________________

7.6 pc of H1N1 casualties were pregnant women
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/76-pc-of-H1N1-casualties-were-pregnant-women/articleshow/5125280.cms
15 October 2009

PUNE: An analysis of H1N1 casualties in the state so far has revealed that 7.6 per cent of the total deaths occurred in pregnant women.

The state registered 160 deaths till Monday, of which 12 were pregnant women. All the 12 women who fell victim to the infection were between 20 and 30 years. Surprisingly, the state also registered two cases where the severely-ill infected women recovered and delivered babies without any complications.

“There seem to be two reasons for the death toll among H1N1 infected pregnant women. The first is the altered immune status of pregnant women making them particularly vulnerable to the virus. The second is that late pregnancy compromises lung function. If a pregnant woman gets pneumonia as a complication of the flu, it is particularly difficult to ensure that she gets enough oxygen,” said gynaecologist Sanjay Gupte, president-elect of Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI). However, early initiation of medical treatment can make lot of difference, added Gupte.

Elaborating on the H1N1 casualties among pregnant women, D S Dakhure, director of the state health services said, “Of the total 12 H1N1 causalities among pregnant women, five occurred in rural parts of Maharashtra while seven were in urban parts.” It may be noted that two severely-ill infected pregnant women recovered and delivered babies safely without developing complication - one each in Mumbai and Pune, added Dakhure.

“Since throat swabs of severely- ill patients are only considered for test, we don’t have the data of total number of positive cases in pregnant women in the state. Suspected cases are administered Tamiflu without going for the test,” said Ashok Mehta, joint director of the state health services.

“Pregnancy weakens a woman’s immune system, so much so that she is more likely to suffer from pneumonia when she catches the flu,” said Pradip Awate, medical officer (epidemic) of the state health services. The H1N1 casualties were reported in Pune district (4), Nashik (5) and Mumbai (3), added Awate.

“Two lives are involved in pregnancy - that is of mother and a child. Pregnancy itself is a co-morbid condition because it is a sort of stress to the mother. Besides any infection in pregnancy may lead to complication. Hence the early initiation of treatment is significant,” said Dilip Sarda, president of the city unit of IMA.

Precautions for pregnant women

* Wash your hands frequently. Use hand sanitiser for added protection.

* Stay away from people who are ill.

* If you are in the final weeks of pregnancy, you should learn about breastfeeding and other ways to protect your baby from the H1N1 virus.

* If you feel like you are ill or have the flu, see your doctor early.

* There are some medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, category C drugs for pregnancy, that can be administered.

* These medications work best when given early in the illness.

(Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention )

State’s H1N1 casualties

* Total number of deaths in the state: 160 (rural 59, urban 101)

* Total number of deaths among pregnant women: 12 (rural 5, urban 7)

Michigan reports new death

Occurred after or on Sept. 1, but before Oct. 4th. Deaths reported from Sept. 1st went from 4 to 5 but none reported for last week.

27 hospitalizations from Oct. 4 - 10
7493 flu-like illnesses Oct. 5 - 11

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/20090623_5pm_FLI_283516_7.pdf

Trouble when number of swine-flu doses can be measured in the hundreds

By Don Bishop @ October 15, 2009 5:24 AM
http://krmg.com/localnews/2009/10/trouble-when-number-of-swinefl.html

TULSA, Ok. - Our meager ration of flu shots continues to be parceled out across Tulsa County, much of it depending on need. The Tulsa Health Department says it is completely out of seasonal flu vaccine for adults and that supplies for children are running low.

Meanwhile, they began giving swine flu vaccine shots to people based on need, kids with health problems, and pregnant women like Christy Pollard. She says, “We don’t question them on that. We will assume they’re doing the right thing, that they’re here for the right reason, that they’re getting their high-risk kid vaccinated.”

The health department only had 600 doses of the H1N1 shots, but they’re expected thousands more soon and say it should be available to the general public by the end of the month.

Mass. to give swine flu shots to prisoners first

Thursday, October 15, 2009
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO127005/

BOSTON — Massachusetts health officials have decided to give swine flu vaccinations to state prisoners before the rest of the population.

Prison officials warn that inmates could quickly spread the flu if not inoculated — particularly those in high-risk groups such as AIDS patients.

Middlesex Sheriff James DiPaola told the Boston Herald that prisons were the perfect flu “breeding ground.” DiPaola dealt with riots in a Cambridge jail when rumors of swine flu spread there.

But state Sen. Mark Montigny said several groups are more vulnerable than prisoners. The New Bedford Democrat said the inoculations should be given to the public immediately.

The vaccines, which are voluntary, will be sent to correctional facilities the second week of November. They are set to be available to the general public by Nov. 27.

Australia:

Swine flu vaccine faces disruption

October 15, 2009 - 9:04PM
AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/swine-flu-vaccine-faces-disruption-20091015-gz4b.html

Production of the swine flu vaccine might be disrupted on Friday during industrial action by workers at the CSL plant which produces the medication.

As Swine Flu Hits Van Hollen Home, Congressman Urges Vaccination

Thursday, October 15, 2009
MICHAEL LARIS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101303605.html

The swine flu vaccine being administered to a succession of nostrils last week in Silver Spring came too late for Rep. Chris Van Hollen’s 13-year-old son.

“He’s flat on his back at home,” the Maryland Democrat said Friday as dozens of Montgomery County health officials worked their way through more than 200 early recipients.

Van Hollen’s miserable teenager had been home sick for two days with a 102-degree fever and received his H1N1 diagnosis Thursday. “It’s a race against time,” Van Hollen said. “It’s already raging through the community.”

Given the challenges — scientists had to develop a safe, effective vaccine against a new flu strain — “they got it out as soon as possible,” Van Hollen said. “But that doesn’t mean a lot of people don’t already have it.”

At a congressional hearing, Van Hollen heard Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, talk about the particular dangers of H1N1 for young people.

The congressman said he expects that his son, like many who get the virus, will simply experience a serious bout of unpleasantness.

But, echoing health experts, Van Hollen warned of the potentially severe consequences for people with underlying medical conditions. That makes it all the more important for healthy people to get vaccinated to cut the virus’s spread.

“I encourage people to get it right away,” he said.

Health departments are scheduling clinics for priority populations in coming days and weeks, and doctors, hospitals and pharmacies also will be administering the vaccine.

Alabama:

Baldwin County physician who oversaw swine flu vaccine trials says side effects negligible

By Casandra Andrews
October 15, 2009, 5:31AM
http://blog.al.com/live/2009/10/baldwin_county_physician_who_o.html

(( All of the UK’s five ECMO beds, at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, were full, so she was flown to University Hospital in Stockholm for the treatment. ))

UK:

Swine flu woman gives birth to boy

(UKPA) – 14 minutes ago
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hTIesyCDfG1hq3QcI94gZ1S4bgqg

A pregnant woman from North Ayrshire who was flown to Sweden for life-saving treatment after contracting swine flu has had a baby boy.

Sharon Pentleton, 27, feared for the health of her unborn child after she suffered an extreme reaction to the H1N1 virus.

But the baby, weighing 6lb 9oz, was successfully delivered by Caesarean section at an Ayrshire hospital on Wednesday.

According to reports, Ms Pentleton and her new son appear to be fit and well and nurses are happy with how they are doing.

Ms Pentleton was six months pregnant when she went to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock with severe back pain in July, where she was treated for appendicitis before being diagnosed with swine flu.

When she slipped into a coma, doctors decided she needed a rare treatment known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which circulates the patient’s blood outside the body and adds oxygen to it artificially.

All of the UK’s five ECMO beds, at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, were full, so she was flown to University Hospital in Stockholm for the treatment.

Rwanda: Swine Flu - Patients Recovering

Irene V. Nambi
15 October 2009
http://allafrica.com/stories/200910150057.html

Kigali — Government’s efforts towards treating cases of the Influenza A, H1N1 (Swine flu) have bred positive results with some cases recovering fully - the Head of the response team, Dr. Justin Wane, revealed yesterday.

In relation to the development, the expert noted that a number of individuals who tested positive for the virus have successfully recovered from the influenza and will soon go back to their normal lives.

“I can not specifically reveal the number that has recovered, but some have indeed recovered.

They are just waiting for the remaining seven days of quarantine period to elapse so that they can resume their daily work.

“Clearly, this influenza is just a common flu with mild symptoms and treating infected people is progressing just fine. There is therefore no cause for alarm, but as said before, the public should still stick to the preventative measures as a way of curbing transmission,” Wane told The New Times.

By press time, the cases were still standing at 25, but officials said other samples had been taken from individuals who had come in to contact with the previously confirmed cases, adding that results will soon be revealed.

With regard to prevention, health experts still maintain that behavioral change is imperative in order to curbing transmission levels.

“Everyone should remember to cover their noses and mouths when sneezing and coughing.

“Proper hygiene such as washing hands at all times must be emphasized while unnecessary greeting styles like hand-shakes, hugging and kissing should be stopped until the flu episode passes,” the Health Minister, Dr. Richard Sezibera recently advised.

The first case that tested positive for the Influenza was confirmed in the country on 9 October and this was a returning citizen from the United States of America.

Since last week, cases have increased daily but officials assert that aggressive treatment is being administered to ensure their quick recovery.

Comment: Earlier media reports stated that H1N1 cases were being treated with Tamiflu.

Scotland:

17-year-old pregnant girl dies of swine flu

Teenager becomes the 15th victim of swine flu in Scotland.

Last updated: 15 October 2009, 12:28
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/130384-17-year-old-pregnant-girl-dies-of-swine-flu/

STV New has learned that a 17-year-old pregnant Scottish girl has died of Swine Flu. It is not known if she was suffering any underlying health problems. Details of where she was from have not yet been revealed.

The teenager is the 15th to die of Swine Flu in Scotland since the H1N1 outbreak earlier this year.

Earlier this week the Scottish Government confirmed that another two people had died after contracting swine flu.

The two victims were a 48-year-old man from Greater Glasgow and Clyde and an 81-year-old Fife woman.

The Government said no further details about the patients would be released at the request of the victims’ families.The 48-year-old patient had “significant underlying health conditions” that contributed to his death, and H1N1 was a “contributory factor” in the death of the pensioner.

Statistics released last week showed the number of people being admitted to hospital in Scotland with swine flu has reached a record high.

Thirty six people with the bug were admitted to hospital last week - the largest weekly intake since the outbreak began. The figure takes the number of people being hospitalised in Scotland since the start of the outbreak to 208.

Interesting.