Here is an interesting website with detailed information on the clinical side of the flu virus.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/FLU/SwineFlu.html
This link allows a search. Just choose “Human” for host and 2009 for the year and it will show all submitted cases to National Center for Biotechnology Information.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/FLU/Database/select.cgi?go=1
I would be interested here from someone from a clinical background who can make sense of some of the technical stuff.
This link shows the details of one particular sample from CA from a 9 year old girl.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/FJ966955
Look at the collection date. March 30, 2009. This means this strain has been in the United States for at least a month. Note, chances are we didn’t know it until later than that.
Prayers for the family.
Connecticut governor signs infectious disease bill
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/ahip/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=CF45B0B6-B971-4762-AD05-CC7D64008F2F©id=DED61E4F-0D87-47D5-9BA7-D544B27F25E4
Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has signed into law a bill that mandates hospitals in the state to inform emergency service personnel when a patient has been diagnosed with AIDS, hepatitis, pandemic flu or other infectious diseases. “With all the privacy laws surrounding health care now, it is essential to preserve the rights and health of our emergency responders,” Rell said.
17 new deaths from H1N1 was announced today . :(
Swine flu panic spreads in Argentina
By Richard Reynolds
Posted 22 minutes ago
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/02/2614325.htm?section=justin
People in Argentina are starting to panic about the spread of swine flu, with at least nine more people dying from the virus overnight.
Just three weeks ago, swine flu was something that Argentines thought Mexicans and perhaps Americans had to worry about.
Officially 44 have now died from the virus, but unofficially, the tally may be as high as 150, giving Argentina a death rate higher than any other country.
Surgical masks appeared on the streets of downtown Buenos Aires today, but business still appears to be continuing as normal.
The two-week extension of the usual winter school holidays has many concerned that the government is not telling them the whole truth.
http://www.canadianmedicinenews.com
Dr David Butler-Jones, the government’s Chief Public Health Officer (above right), said that although the vast majority of the 7,775 cases detected in Canada so far (see the map below for a breakdown by province or visit the Public Health Agency’s surveillance website) have been mild and have resulted in full recoveries, the anticipated “second wave” of infections this fall has been preceded already by the mysterious appearance in recent weeks of a small number of “severe” infections.
...the reason or reasons for the emergence of this new set of “severe” cases in Canada has not been determined, though epidemiologists with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have been dispatched to study the matter. Possible explanations, he explained, could include: genetic variations that result in either too little or too great an immune response in infected patients, a mutation in the H1N1 virus (which would augur potentially very serious consequences in the general population over the months to come, it would seem), or some combination of factors. He warned that we should expect to see more cases in Canada over the coming months, including more severe cases, and more deaths.
At the top of the news lately have been accusations that the federal government’s response to the rapid spread of the H1N1 flu virus in aboriginal communities, particularly in Manitoba, has been insufficient. Health Canada’s regional director of First Nations and Inuit Health, Valerie Gideon, endeavored to convince reporters that was not the case. The shipments of hand sanitizer, which had been delayed because of concerns that the alcohol-based gels might be abused by First Nations patients, have now been delivered, she said, and nursing stations are open on the reserves 24 hours per day and are stocked with necessary medical supplies.
One interesting item to note about Monday’s news conference was the tone that Dr Butler-Jones employed when discussing recommended precautionary measures for pregnant women and people with preexisting health conditions, both of which groups of patients may be at higher risk of experiencing dangerous complications if they are infected with the H1N1 flu. Whereas US Vice-President Joe Biden was mocked not long ago for warning people to avoid crowded places like buses and trains for fear of catching the virus, Dr Butler-Jones said very seriously that pregnant women in Canada should consider staying out of crowds. He refused, however, to cite specific crowded places pregnant women should avoid; he demurred when asked by one reporter if he meant women should avoid shopping malls and public transportation, only mentioning for certain (and this is where things took a brief turn for the surreal) that pregnant women should avoid mosh pits.
Eurosurveillance, Volume 14, Issue 26, 02 July 2009
Rapid communications
Modelling of the influenza A(H1N1)v outbreak in Mexico City, April-May 2009, with control sanitary measures
G Cruz-Pacheco ()1, L Duran2, L Esteva3, A A Minzoni1, M López-Cervantes2, P Panayotaros1, A Ahued Ortega4, I Villaseñor Ruíz4
Abstract:
We use a time dependent modification of the Kermack and McKendrick model to study the evolution of the influenza A(H1N1)v epidemic reported in the Mexico City area under the control measures used during April and May 2009. The model illustrates how the sanitary measures postponed the peak of the epidemic and decreased its intensity. It provides quantitative predictions on the effect of relaxing the sanitary measures after a period of control. We show how the sanitary measures reduced the maximal prevalence of the infected population from 10% to less than 6% of the total population. We also show how the model predicts the time of maximal prevalence and explains the effect of the control measures.
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19254
Teen not diagnosed with swine flu until after death (New Zealand)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10582544
A Hamilton teenager with swine flu died at home without being diagnosed with the illness.
He was one three New Zealanders to have died in the past week with swine flu more than likely to have been the cause, the Ministry of Health confirmed today.
Zachary Wilson, 19, had been ill for three or four days but had not been to hospital before he died last Sunday, said Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble.
“What’s become apparent with this situation is how quickly this can develop, and somebody can present with what looks like a common cold that may progress to more like influenza and then it can rapidly become something very serious.”
Some efforts were made to treat Mr Wilson’s symptoms, although no further details were made available.
Mr Wilson’s family, who had been devastated by his death, wanted people to be aware how quickly someone’s condition could deteriorate, Dr Dumble told reporters.
Given the wide spread of swine flu, health authorities were focusing on treating people who were sick rather than routine testing.
Mr Wilson’s case of swine flu was discovered following an autopsy.
The coroner would examine if any other medical conditions had played a part in Mr Wilson’s death, she said.
However, he had a history of asthma which, along with other factors such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, was more likely to cause complications.
Although people had been advised to stay at home if possible to avoid spreading the illness and adding to pressure on the health system, anyone whose condition worsened should seek medical attention, Dr Dumble said.
Some deaths were expected as a result of swine flu, she said.
“It’s really important that people are aware that influenza is a serious illness and it does kill.”
Signs to look watch out for included a rapidly worsening condition, a difficulty being woken, confusion or irritability, a fever of about 38.3 degrees, fits, and not keeping down fluids.
Chief Coroner Neil MacLean said a 42-year-old man with underlying medical conditions had also died on Thursday in Christchurch.
It was “strongly probable” that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) was a major factor in the deaths of both men, he said.
Meanwhile, Capital and Coast District Health Board said a young girl with underlying medical conditions died this morning in Wellington Hospital. She had earlier tested positive to swine flu.
[snip]
As of today, the total number of confirmed cases in New Zealand was 945, up from 912 yesterday.
The cumulative total of confirmed cases by region are: Northland (20), Auckland (202), Waikato (45), Bay of Plenty/Lakes (29), Gisborne (2), Hawkes Bay (75), Taranaki (3), Wanganui/Palmerston North (14), Wellington (292), Nelson/Marlborough (19), Canterbury (230), Otago/Southland (14).
_________________
ping
Swine flu won’t loosen its grip on Arizona
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/LiveWire/57055
New cases of H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, are still pouring into local health departments, and that’s causing some worry among state officials.
Never before has a flu season lasted this far into the summer months — the heat usually helps kill off any strains of the virus circulating in the community. But the new H1N1, which first appeared in April, has some serious staying power.
As of July 1, there were 761 confirmed swing-flu cases in the state, and state health officials say if the illness doesn’t die out soon, it could lead to an early, ugly start to this fall’s flu season.
The reason? Back-to-school time is just around the corner.
Children are some of the best incubators of germs and flu viruses, and some school-aged children in Arizona head back to class at the end of this month. Most others are back at their desks by the second or third week of August.
“If it doesn’t drop off here soon, its going to be a very early start to a very long flu season,” said Will Humble, interim director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “A lot of people are going to get sick.”
Humble said state officials typically shut down their flu surveillance in late May or early June, when the level of confirmed illness starts dropping off dramatically. The flu virus typically doesn’t re-emerge until late November or early December.
To still have rampant influenza in July is “unheard of,” he said.
In total, there have been 5,872 confirmed influenza cases in Arizona this year, but the majority of the recently reported flu illness cases has been the H1N1 strain, as opposed to seasonal flu.
More than 62 percent of the H1N1 laboratory-confirmed cases this year have occurred in children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 24, according to the state’s flu surveillance report; the median age of those falling ill is 14.
By comparison, seasonal flu seems to target the elderly and very young children in disproportionate numbers.
If the virus is still circulating in the community when fall classes start, it will put the onus on teachers and school nurses to quickly identify sick children and keep them away from their peers.
That’s because it is unlikely that any H1N1 vaccine would be ready for human use within the next month, despite global efforts to fast-track its creation.
Federal officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that nationwide demand for the H1N1 vaccine could reach 600 million doses.
There is some concern many in the general population, including children, will need two doses for full protection against the virus.
In a typical year, the U.S. distributes 115 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine, health officials said.
Arizona health officials are still working through plans for H1N1 vaccine distribution, including identifying which groups would get the shots first.
A Current thread with lot’s of H1N1 articles posted .
Nothing that has so far been disseminated about the etiology of this virus has included sudden death as a characteristic; I wonder if they will follow up on this case?
Usually there is a thread that monitors epidemics. There were some quite good ones tracking the Ebola outbreaks in 2007.
Is there a master thread tracking the H1N1 flu pandemic? If there is, I can’t find it via search.
| States and Territories* | Confirmed and Probable Cases | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| States | |||
|
Alabama
|
477 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Alaska
|
272 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Arizona
|
947 cases
|
15 deaths
|
|
|
Arkansas
|
131 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
California
|
3161 cases
|
52 deaths
|
|
|
Colorado
|
171 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Connecticut
|
1713 cases
|
8 deaths
|
|
|
Delaware
|
381 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Florida
|
2915 cases
|
23 deaths
|
|
|
Georgia
|
222 cases
|
1 death
|
|
|
Hawaii
|
1424 cases
|
3 deaths
|
|
|
Idaho
|
166 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Illinois
|
3404 cases
|
17 deaths
|
|
|
Indiana
|
291 cases
|
1 death
|
|
|
Iowa
|
165 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Kansas
|
204 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Kentucky
|
143 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Louisiana
|
232 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Maine
|
145 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Maryland
|
766 cases
|
4 deaths
|
|
|
Massachusetts
|
1370 cases
|
5 deaths
|
|
|
Michigan
|
515 cases
|
9 deaths
|
|
|
Minnesota
|
670 cases
|
3 deaths
|
|
|
Mississippi
|
252 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Missouri
|
76 cases
|
1 death
|
|
|
Montana
|
94 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Nebraska
|
313 cases
|
1 death
|
|
|
Nevada
|
467 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
New Hampshire
|
247 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
New Jersey
|
1414 cases
|
15 deaths
|
|
|
New Mexico
|
232 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
New York
|
2738 cases
|
63 deaths
|
|
|
North Carolina
|
483 cases
|
5 deaths
|
|
|
North Dakota
|
63 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Ohio
|
188 cases
|
1 death
|
|
|
Oklahoma
|
189 cases
|
1 death
|
|
|
Oregon
|
524 cases
|
5 deaths
|
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
1960 cases
|
8 deaths
|
|
|
Rhode Island
|
192 cases
|
2 deaths
|
|
|
South Carolina
|
244 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
South Dakota
|
45 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Tennessee
|
283 cases
|
1 death
|
|
|
Texas
|
5151 cases
|
27 deaths
|
|
|
Utah
|
988 cases
|
16 deaths
|
|
|
Vermont
|
59 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Virginia
|
327 cases
|
2 deaths
|
|
|
Washington
|
658 cases
|
7 deaths
|
|
|
Washington, D.C.
|
45 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
West Virginia
|
243 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Wisconsin
|
6222 cases
|
6 deaths
|
|
|
Wyoming
|
111 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
| Territories | |||
|
American Samoa
|
8 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Guam
|
1 case
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Puerto Rico
|
20 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
Virgin Islands
|
49 cases
|
0 deaths
|
|
|
TOTAL (55)*
|
43,771 cases
|
302 deaths
|
|
|
*Includes the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. July 24, 2009 is the last day that CDC is providing individual confirmed and probable cases of novel H1N1 influenza. CDC will report the total number of hospitalizations and deaths each week, and continue to use its traditional surveillance systems to track the progress of the novel H1N1 flu outbreak. For more information about CDC’s novel H1N1 influenza surveillance system, see Questions & Answers About CDC's Novel H1N1 Influenza Surveillance. International Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection NOTE: Because of daily reporting deadlines, the state totals reported by CDC may not always be consistent with those reported by state health departments. If there is a discrepancy between these two counts, data from the state health departments should be used as the most accurate number. |
|||
This thread has lots of articles on the swine flu .
PING ....
This is a thread where we post new swine flu article .
It’s interesting to read the articles to see what has changed .
Do Drug Companies Secretly Favor a World Flu Pandemic? Click Here
Actually, now the primary target has been shifted to PREGNANT WOMEN! Click Here
Researchers Find U.S. Media Keeps People Uneducated About Health Issues: Click Here
World's Largest Media Source Controlled by World's Largest Drug Company (Reuters) Click Here
How The Media Deceives You About Health Issues Click Here
Conflicts of Interest and the Public Trust Click Here
Could Use of Social Media Crush 'Big Brother'? Click Here
Why are the Chinese Government and the US Drug Companies So Afraid of Facebook and Twitter? Click Here
The Motion for a Preliminary Injunction to stop forced mass vaccinations in the USA has been filed at the US District Court of New Jersey * Injunction can be adapted to other countriesClick