Posted on 06/24/2009 8:04:24 AM PDT by metmom
Within minutes, six-year-old Rubjit Thindal went from happily chatting in the back seat of the car to collapsing and dying in her father's arms.
"If we had known it was so serious, we would have called 911,'' Kuldip Thindal, Rubjit's distraught mother, said in Punjabi yesterday. "She just had a stomach ache -- she wasn't even crying.''
Rubjit was pronounced dead at hospital barely 24 hours after showing signs of a fever. Later, doctors told her parents she had the H1N1 influenza virus. She is believed to be the youngest person in Canada with the virus to have died.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.guelphmercury.com ...
Thanks for the ping!
Remember that 1-2 punch delivery system? (1) Aerosol spraying to weaken our Immune systems, to (2) then make us more susceptible to the already deadly H1N1.
Did you read ping 920 ?
W.H.O. Wants China To Help Develop H1N1 Vaccine For Developing World....
Commentary
Pandemic H1N1 Spread to Turkey Farms in Chile
Recombinomics Commentary 14:40
August 21, 2009
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08210901/H1N1_Turkey_Chile.html
Through a press release, the private company, told La Estrella de Quillota “that” as a company we are calm, as birds have evolved positively as is expected. Confirming that the type of influenza is detected low pathogenic .
The text also highlights the ongoing animal health surveillance maintained by the SAG to detect early onset of diseases affecting domestic poultry population and certify exports, which-according to the company based in La Calera and La Ligua-enabled timely detect this situation.
The above translation describes two pandemic swine flu outbreaks at Turkey farms in Chile (see map). The relationship to pandemic H1N1 has been confirmed, and these outbreaks highlight the expanded host range of the virus. In addition to transmitting efficiently from human to human, the swine vires has been detected in swine in two locations in Canada (Alberta and Quebec), Argentina (northwest and southwest of Buenos Aires), and Australia (New South Wales and Victoria). Moreover, all outbreaks have produced mild disease. The have been no reported swine fatalities, and the turkey outbreaks were signaled by a drop in egg production.
The spread of the swine virus to turkeys is not unexpected. Swine to turkey infections involving human serotypes have been noted previously. However, this is the first report of the pandemic strain in birds, and raises additional concerns of silent spread and further evolution associated with the broad host range, Infection in avian and mammalian species suggests that the pandemic strain may be much more widespread than the confirmed outbreaks delineated above, and more aggressive screening is warranted.
Release of the turkey sequences as well as recent swine sequences would be useful. Initial reports from Argentina indicated those sequences were closely related to the swine in Alberta. The sequences in Australia may be somewhat more distinct, raises concerns of divergent evolution, which could create vaccine issues if these species jumps lead to additional human infections.
WHO Says Confirmed H1N1 Deaths Worldwide Reach 1,799
Article Date: 21 Aug 2009 - 4:00 PDT
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161452.php
According to the latest WHO report out Wednesday, the number of confirmed H1N1 (swine) flu deaths since its emergence in April has reached 1,799 - a jump from 1,462 deaths since the agency’s last update, Agence France-Presse/the Australian reports. The WHO report also notes Ghana, Tuvalu and Zambia became the latest countries to confirm H1N1 cases for the first time, bringing the total number of countries with H1N1 to over 170 (8/20).
Also on Wednesday, the total number of deaths from H1N1 in Latin America rose above 1,300 - “more than 70 percent of the world’s fatatlities” - after the country governments reported updates, the AFP reports in a separate story. “With vaccines against swine flu still more than a month away from being available — and wealthy countries snapping up all available pre-orders from the big drug companies — Latin American nations are looking at ignoring patents to produce their own,” the news service writes, adding, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner on Tuesday appealed for pharmaceutical companies to “drop patent protection for their vaccines.” “Given the laboratories’ confession that they can’t produce enough A(H1N1) flu vaccine for the whole world, the economic rights should be suspended to protect the health of mankind,” Kirchner said (8/19).
Australia To Begin H1N1 Vaccination Campaign In September
Australian health officials announced Thursday they anticipate launching the country’s H1N1 vaccination campaign in September, “in what may turn out to be the first such program since the emergence of the disease in April,” the Associated Press/Washington Post reports. According to Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon, the first of 2 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine, manufactured by the Australian drug maker CSL will be released to the government Aug. 31, “but that safety tests from clinical trials are not yet complete,” the news service writes. However, the government expects to receive an interim report from the ongoing H1N1 clinical trials next week, Roxon said.
“CSL recently notified the United States that its shipments would arrive later than promised because it first must provide batches to the Australian government,” the news service adds. U.S. health officials predict the country’s H1N1 vaccine campaign will start in mid-October (McGuirk, 8/20).
Reactions To H1N1 In Namibia, Mozambique
The Namibian/allAfrica.com reports on the growing worries about H1N1 among people living in Namibia. According to the report, several newly confirmed cases of the virus led the National Health Emergency Management Committee (NHEMC) during its bi-weekly meeting to appeal to the Office of the Prime Minister for a national H1N1 task force. “This thing is getting too big, we can’t handle it alone anymore,” NHEMC Chairman Jack Vries said. “His fears were echoed by reports from Sapa yesterday, quoting experts who warned that poverty, disease and overburdened health systems make Africa an easy target for the A(H1N1) virus,” the news service adds (Duddy, 8/19).
Mozambique’s Health Minister Ivo Garrido on Wednesday reminded the public to take preventive measures to reduce their risks of acquiring the virus instead of panicking over Monday’s announcement that the H1N1 virus has surfaced in the country, AIM/allAfrica.com reports (8/19).
This information was reprinted from globalhealth.kff.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at globalhealth.kff.org.
China to produce 65 mln A/H1N1 vaccines by year end: minister
www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-21 21:45:30
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/21/content_11924173.htm
BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) — China will be able to produce enough influenza A/H1N1 vaccines for 65 million people by the end of this year, health minister Chen Zhu said Friday.
Currently 10 Chinese producers of seasonal flu vaccines are in a global race for the research and development of A/H1N1 flu vaccines, Chen said at an international experts meeting in Beijing.
One Chinese company announced early this week that it had completed medical trials on a new vaccine, with promising results.
Chen said there were already plans for clinical trials on vaccines developed by other companies, and the State Food and Drug Administration would fast-track the approval of new vaccines once they passed safety evaluation.
“The output of the companies by the end of this year will be able to cover 5 percent of the national population (or about 65 million people),” he told the International Scientific Symposium on Influenza A/H1N1 Pandemic Response and Preparedness.
Like other countries, China has made its plan for vaccine stocks to prevent possible new outbreaks of A/H1N1 flu later this year. Vaccination usually is first carried out among high risk groups and vulnerable people such as medics, the elderly and children, not necessarily the entire population.
It is believed that China’s production capacity of A/H1N1 flu vaccines could be further expanded once more companies, beyond Sinovac Biotech Company, developed the vaccine.
Sinovac, a Beijing-based company, announced Tuesday that it had completed clinical tests on a new vaccine for the A/H1N1 flu virus, which proves to be “safe and effective”. This was seen as a good start for the production and use of the vaccine.
This was also welcomed by officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) at the meeting on Friday.
“We are very encouraged by preliminary but promising results from the clinical trails of A/H1N1 vaccine,” said Shin Young-soo, WHO’s Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
Shin said China has an important role to play in the global fight against the flu pandemic, including vaccine development and production for the developing world.
“I am pleased by China’s preparedness and response to A/H1N1, given its large population,” Shin said. “We would greatly welcome an initiative by the Chinese government to support developing and needy countries in a fair distribution of this vaccine.”
Northern Ireland:
North sees first swine-flu death
Last Updated: Friday, August 21, 2009, 16:20
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0821/breaking53.htm
The first swine flu death in Northern Ireland was announced by health officials today.
The female patient, who was said to have had an underlying health condition, died last night in hospital.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the patient at this tragic and very sad time,” he said. The family has asked for the patient’s identity to be kept private. We are respecting their wishes and will not be releasing any further details to let the family come to terms with their loss.”
Last month Co Derry-born soldier Lee Porter died in a Surrey hospital after he contracted swine flu. The 30-year-old soldier who died after contracting swine flu was from Coleraine in Co Derry.
It had initially been said Mr Porter had suffered from other medical problems, though the man’s family objected to the claim, and in a subsequent statement the Ministry of Defence said he had in fact been a fit and active soldier.
While the case of the female patient announced today is the first recorded swine flu death to take place in Northern Ireland, two people have died in the Republic after contracting the H1N1 virus in recent weeks.
The number of human swine flu cases presenting to GPs in the State last week increased by about 350, according to Department of Health figures.
In the seven days up to last Sunday, the incidence of the H1N1 virus was 42.2 cases per 100,000 of population, the equivalent of about 1,800 cases nationally.
CDC report
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm#totalcases
Reporting States and Territories- 53
Hospitalized Cases- 7,983
Deaths 522
Commentary
Widespread Pandemic H1N1 School Outbreaks in Southern US
Recombinomics Commentary 22:15
August 20, 2009
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08200901/H1N1_South_School.html
A total of 122 Camden County High School students visited the school nurse’s office and several of those were sent home because they were displaying flu-like symptoms on Monday, she said.
There are also two elementary schools - Mamie Lou Gross Elementary and St. Marys Elementary - that reported sending home a high number of students home after they were confirmed to have flu-like symptoms. Mamie Lou Gross Elementary off Harrietts Bluff Road has been reporting fevers and St. Marys Elementary students are suffering from stomach symptoms.
“When I spoke with the office at Mamie Lou Gross Elementary, they had 12 students waiting to see the school nurse at that moment,” Smiley said. “There have been a lot of fevers hitting these schools very hard.”
Elaine Smiley, health systems coordinator for the school district, said about 10 percent of the estimated 1,000 Camden Middle School enrollment was absent Tuesday from the outbreak.
School nurses have also seen an increase in children who have flu-like symptoms, including fevers of more than 100 degrees, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, she said. Other symptoms include runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The above comments describe large outbreaks of swine flu at the elementary, middle, and high school level of a school district in southern Georgia (see map). Although some officials have noted that many of the students were influenza A positive, but had not been swine flu confirmed, 99% of influenza A cases in the United States at this time of year are swine flu, and the symptoms described signal a large and widespread outbreak.
Outbreaks such as the one described above are usually associated with seasonal flu in the dead of winter, but these outbreaks began in the summer, right after the start of the new school year. Similar outbreaks are being described throughout the southern United States, where many schools have started a new school year (see map). Large outbreaks are expected nationwide, as students return to the school in the next few weeks.
Most schools are following CDC recommendations and remaining open, while offering guidance centered on keeping ill students at home. However, these guidelines are tightly linked to a fever, which is in the CDC H1N1 swine flu case definition. The association of fever with swine flu infections is tenuous, and some countries like Chile, are reporting 50% of patients without fever, even in more severe cases. Similarly, initial data from Mexico also noted that 30% of confirmed cases did not have a fever, raising concerns that these figures are low, and most infections have no or low fever.
The above figures are likely to be significant undercounts, because most physicians, as well as patients, associate a fever with flu. Thus, mild cases are unlikely to seek medical treatment, and those that do seek treatment are unlikely to be tested because of no fever. The CDC includes fever it the pandemic H1N1 case definition, so the frequency is high, but even with fever in the case definition, 7% of confirmed cases have no fever.
Thus, the policy of keeping schools open, and using fever as one of the key symptoms, may lead to extensive spread by patients who have low or no fever. Moreover, most of the students have mild illnesses, so they are not tested, which may allow important genetic changes to silently spread. One such change is H274Y, which confers Tamiflu resistance. Many of the confirmed cases have quickly developed resistance, raising concerns the H274Y is widespread, but present as a minor species which is largely undetected in samples collected prior to Tamiflu treatment. Media reports described Tamiflu resistance in patients in Texas along the Mexican border, and such cases may be silently spreading, due in part to limited testing.
Thus, these initial outbreaks in multiple school districts across the south raises concerns that similar large outbreaks will be reported in northern regions, and worldwide, as the new school season begins nationwide.
Half of swine flu deaths in high-risk people -study
http://www.reuters.com/article/europeCrisis/idUSN20537892
Aug 20, 2009 Maggie Fox
Maury County High School Football Team Hit with H1N1 Flu-John Dunn
FOX 17 News “ By: John Dunn
“We’re on a roller coast ride and where it peaks and when it peaks we do not know,” says Maury County Director of School Eddie Hickman.
Its only August, but one Mid-State school system is already fighting the flu.
Hundreds of students in Maury County may be infected with the H1N1 virus.
Nearly 1,000 students were absent from classes on Thursday, and the Director of Schools sees no end in sight.
Maury Countys Middle Schools are the hardest hit, and local doctors offices cant keep up with the calls.
Shatara Cooper says she has never felt like this.
“I had a fever and my stomach was hurting,” says 8th grader Shatara Cooper.
The 13 year old 8th grader has been home from school all week.
The doctor diagnosed here with so-called swine flu.
“Most of my friends, they got it. They’re sick too. They’re at home,” says Shatara Cooper.
Half the football team at Shataras school, Whittorne Middle, has also been bit by the bug.
It even forced the cancellation of a game.
“This could go on for several months. It could jump from one school to the other,” says Eddie Hickman.
Maury Countys Director of Schools has been reviewing the attendance numbers.
About 8% of the districts students are staying home to get well.
That is nearly double the normal amount of kids out of class.
Cox Middle School has been hit the hardest.
Earlier this week about one-fourth of the students were absent.
Some have raised questions about when and if it is necessary to cancel classes.
It is a decision Eddie Hickman now wrestles with.
“Until we get about 12-15% then my concern will be whether or not to close schools,” says Eddie Hickman.
The flu outbreak shows no signs of weakening.
Local pediatricians say August used to be a quiet month.
“Very busy, busier than what we’re used to at this time of the year,” says Dr. Carol Broadway.
The Columbia Pediatric Clinic has seen more than 80 suspected swine flu cases in the past two weeks.
Thursday afternoon, all appointments were taken.
“It appears to be the H1N1 virus is what we’re seeing so,” says Dr. Carol Broadway.
Shatara Cooper says thanks to Tamiflu and a lot of rest, she is finally starting to feel better.
She hopes to return to school on Friday.
Meanwhile Maury Countys Director of Schools hopes for a vaccine soon.
I wished it was ready now. The sooner the better, says Eddie Hickman.
The Director of School says once a vaccine becomes available, he will encourage every Maury student to get the shot.
In the meantime, he is hoping students will get the normal seasonal flu vaccine.Maury County High School Football Team Hit with H1N1 Flu-John Dunn
Posted: Thursday, August 20 2009, 08:35 PM CDT
http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1242.shtml
http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/08/13/astoria_times/news/astoria_times_newsmizhiqz08122009.txt
“Obesity” is apparently one of the “underlying health conditions”
Nothing to worry about folks, move along
sarc
Yes, I saw that. Also Walmart if offering its 4,000 stores as jab sites. And head of WHO is Chinese, and I wonder if she is controlled by Chinese Liberation Army?
The below website offers H1N1 boards/forums. Scroll down on the site for the forum lists.
http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/
It’s a noble effort, trying to reform America’s broken health care system. But if we’re going to fix a broken system, let’s not replace it with yet another broken system that still feeds off a diseased population subjected to endless drugs, chemotherapy and toxic chemicals in the food supply.
If we’re gonna fix health care, let’s fix it right!
Today, I present 10 things that are missing from Obama’s health care reform efforts, along with specific recommendations for how to revolutionize America’s health care so that it encourages health instead of sickness. Read it all right here:
http://www.naturalnews.com/026887_health_food_health_care.html
Did you know it might be possible to get mad cow disease from eating farmed fish? It’s one theory being discussed by concerned scientists:
http://www.naturalnews.com/026886_disease_farmed_fish_mad_cow.html
Speaking of fish, check out this amazingly informative article on the top ten ways to remove heavy metals from your body:
http://www.naturalnews.com/026885_zeolite_heavy_metals_cilantro.html
There’s also a place to vote for 0’s helthcare plan yea or nay - on the page at the first link
Millions face shrinking Social Security payments
Aug 23 09:51 PM US/Eastern
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
WASHINGTON (AP) - Millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, the first time in a generation that payments would not rise. The trustees who oversee Social Security are projecting there won’t be a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the next two years. That hasn’t happened since automatic increases were adopted in 1975.
By law, Social Security benefits cannot go down. Nevertheless, monthly payments would drop for millions of people in the Medicare prescription drug program because the premiums, which often are deducted from Social Security payments, are scheduled to go up slightly.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9A8V4080&show_article=1
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