Swine Flu Supplanting Seasonal Strains in Australia’s Victoria

By Jason Gale

June 26 (Bloomberg) -- Swine flu is supplanting seasonal strains in Australia’s Victoria state, suggesting the pandemic virus will be the major cause of influenza this winter.

Tests on 138 type-A flu samples collected by a network of doctors confirmed 60 cases of the new A/H1N1 variant and only five of seasonal influenza in the eight weeks ended June 21, according to a report today by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Melbourne.

A typical feature of previous pandemics is for a novel virus to crowd out the most common flu strains during winter, Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, said this month. It’s also a factor the agency will consider in determining when vaccine makers should switch to producing only shots against the pandemic virus, which is spurring an increase in flu cases in Australia including New South Wales state.

“We are seeing a big increase compared to the same stage of the flu season last year, and the increase is predominantly in 5- to 16-year-olds,” Kerry Chant, chief health officer for New South Wales, said in a statement today. Two children are in intensive care and two other people hospitalized, she said.

The eastern state, Australia’s most populous, has 653 confirmed cases of swine flu, the second highest number in the nation after neighboring Victoria state.

Health officials in Victoria have recorded 1,509 cases from laboratory tests and stopped analyzing specimens from patients with mild disease earlier this month as part of the state’s response to the virus.

‘Many’ Cases

A third person in Victoria died after being diagnosed with the new H1N1 virus, Rosemary Lester, the state’s acting chief health officer, said in a statement today. “Many milder cases” haven’t been tested, she said.

Victoria’s influenza sentinel surveillance network diagnosed flu-like illness in 21.9 of every 1,000 patients seen in the week ended June 21, the report showed. That’s up from 17 per 1,000 a week earlier.

The network comprises 87 general practitioners across the state who test a portion of their patients for flu to give authorities an indication of flu activity in the community.

Unlike seasonal flu, from which the elderly suffer the most death and disease, the new bug is targeting the young and causing potentially fatal complications in otherwise healthy people aged 30 to 50, pregnant women and those with asthma, diabetes and obesity, according to the WHO.

Disease trackers are watching how swine flu behaves during the Southern Hemisphere winter to gauge flu activity when the weather turns colder in Europe and North America later this year.

Influenza is more common in winter because virus particles persist longer in the air during colder, drier weather. The bug is also transmitted more easily in winter because people tend to stay close together indoors.

Still, flu is being diagnosed at an increasing rate during summer in some Northern Hemisphere countries, including England and Wales, because of the spread of swine flu, a bug to which most people have no immunity.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jason Gale in Singapore at j.gale@bloomberg.net

Swine Flu’s Multi-Shot Vaccine May Overwhelm State-Run Clinics

By Tom Randall

June 26 (Bloomberg) -- The vaccine being developed to combat a pandemic of swine flu will require multiple shots to provide immunity from the new virus and the added immunizations may overwhelm U.S. state agencies, health officials said.

Two injections will be required three weeks apart for swine flu, also known as H1N1, and a third will be needed for seasonal flu, health officials said at a meeting today at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta. Children younger than 9 years will need four shots, the CDC said.

The U.S. government has taken the unusual step of purchasing all of the swine flu vaccine, and the shots will probably be administered through vaccine clinics set up by state health organizations, the CDC said. The agency estimates that at least 50 million vaccine doses will be available in the U.S. by October 15, and enough vaccine to immunize everyone in the country will be available later in the season.

“Public health departments are under-funded and will get fatigued,” said William Schaffner, an influenza expert at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, in an interview at the flu conference. “One shot probably gives you very little immunity, 10 to 20 percent at most.”

hat-tip Sand

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Board of Governors headed by Nazif reviews the ways to combat avian and swine influenza

6/26/2009

Review the Board of Governors at its meeting on "Wednesday," chaired by Dr. Ahmed Nazif, the Prime Minister, hosted by Al-range of important issues, including procedures for prevention of swine flu, and face the bird flu, including the implementation of the decision to ban the sale of live poultry and vaccination of poultry vaccine Shield in the massacres and the expansion mechanism and the development of the poultry industry.

كما يناقش المجلس الخطة التى بحثها الدكتور احمد نظيف الاسبوع الماضى، حول التخلص الامن من المخلفات الصلبة فى اقليم القاهرة الكبرى، وتدوير هذه المخلفات بحيث يمكن تعميم هذه التجربة فى مختلف محافظات مصر.

It also discusses the plan discussed by Dr. Ahmed Nazif last week, on the safe disposal of solid waste in Greater Cairo, and the recycling of this waste could be circulated so that this experience in the various governorates of Egypt.

ويتابع مجلس المحافظين فى اجتماعه، تنفيذ مبدا اللامركزية فى جميع المحافظات ، بمافى ذلك اختيار المشروعات المطروحة للاستثمار ، وكذلك بناء المدارس والمستشفيات ووضع الاولويات التى يحتاجها المواطنون عند تنفيذ المشروعات الخدمية ، بما يتناسب مع كل محافظة، بحيث لاتأتى هذه المشروعات من العاصمة، إلى جانب تنفيذ مبدا اللامركزية فى مشروع التغذية المدرسية وكذلك تطوير العشوائات .

The following Board of Governors at its meeting, the implementation of the principle of decentralization in all provinces, including the selection of projects open for investment, as well as building schools, hospitals, and establishing priorities that are needed for the citizens in the implementation of service projects, commensurate with each province, so as to Atoty these projects from the capital, as well as the implementation the principle of subsidiarity in the draft as well as school feeding and the development of Ashoaiat.

ومن المقرر ان يفتتح الدكتور احمد نظيف مجموعة من المشروعات الجديدة الانتاجية والخدمية فى محافظة المنوفية، كما يتفقد سير العمل فى عدد من المشروعات الانمائية وذلك تمشيا مع برنامج الحكومة بالارتقاء بالخدمات الجماهيرية.

It is scheduled to be opened by Dr. Ahmed Nazif, a series of new projects and service production in Al, and inspect the progress of work in a number of development projects in line with the Government's efforts to enhance public services.

Veterinarians: Totnt swine flu in Egypt

Caption: Risks of integration of influenza viruses
Friday, June 26, 2009 - 17:34

Dr. Adel Abdullah, a professor of zoology, University of Minya, about the presence of more than 76% of the total in the world, pigs infected with swine flu, pointing to the existence of more than 16 strains of the virus, "H1" and the presence of 9 strains of the virus, "n" in birds and pigs, which What a disaster threatening the health of these species if merged together.

وأكد عبد الله، أن مصر أهدرت ملايين الجنيهات لمواجهة أنفلونزا الطيور والخنازير، دون الرجوع إلى استرتيجية تخطيطية من الدولة فيما يخص التنمية البشرية.

Abdullah stressed that Egypt lost millions of pounds of avian and swine, without reference to the strategic planning of the State with regard to human development.

من جانبه، كشف الدكتور أيمن رجب وكيل وزارة الصحة بالمنيا، أن فيروسى أنفلونزا الخنازير والطيور توطنا فى كافة محافظات مصر مع التغيرات السلوكية والمناخية الموجودة.

For his part, Dr. Ayman Al-Rajab, Deputy Minister of Health and queens, the viral flu and swine flu endemic in all governorates of Egypt with the behavioral changes and climate that exist.

وأشار إلى أن خطورة الفيروس تتمثل فى اختلاط الفيروسين معا، مما ينتج عنهما فيروسا جديدا يكون أكثر خطراً.

He pointed out that the seriousness of the virus is in the mixing of viruses together, the resulting new virus would be more dangerous.

Egypt: Including 438 cases during the last May .. 488 suspected case of avian influenza during the 6 months Badakkhlip

Including 438 cases during the last May ..
488 suspected case of avian influenza during the 6 months Badakkhlip
Friday, June 26, 2009 - 14:57


Avian influenza threatens Dakahliya Egyptian Mohamed Saleh


Dr Abdel-Karim, Mr., Under-Secretary, Ministry of Health Badakkhlip, during the meeting of the Executive Council of the province, the number of cases of suspected bird flu, which has been detained in Mansoura Chest Hospital from 1/1/2009 to date amounted to 488 cases, of which we samples and sent to the central laboratory for analysis, including 4 cases of which only 3 were positive to recover, and one died, the death rate of 25% of the cases were confirmed to have the disease.

Dr Abdul Karim Sayed, that the only thing that makes the patient comes to us at the beginning of symptoms, awareness is the suspicion, so it is the case of the 488 suspected SARS case of the disease, including 438 during the month of May.
He emphasized that the cases that come to us, and suspected of being infected with the disease turn out to be 100% positive.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Badakkhlip about the presence of 58 A pack of "Tamiflu" 7 capsules and a bottle of syrup of thousands, and the quantities of chlorine and disinfectants, as we get 300 million and a vaccine against any pandemic, and these medicines sold in pharmacies is prohibited.

On the other hand, the Major General Samir peace, the Governor of Dakahlia, the need to work without any slack, and must be firm and effective action, so as not to repeat any human cases, and should increase awareness campaigns to increase citizens and seminars in schools and youth centers, because the disease primarily needed to raise the awareness of sound.
hat-tip Twall

الجمعة، 26 يونيو 2009 - 14:57


أنفلونزا الطيور تهدد المصريين الدقهلية ـ محمد صالح


قال الدكتور عبد الكريم على السيد، وكيل وزارة الصحة بالدقهلية، خلال انعقاد اجتماع المجلس التنفيذى للمحافظة، إن عدد الحالات المشتبه فى إصابتها بمرض أنفلونزا الطيور التى تم احتجازها فى مستشفى الصدر بالمنصورة من 1/1/2009 حتى الآن وصلت إلى 488 حالة، أخذنا منها عينات وأرسلناها للمعمل المركزى لتحليلها، منها 4 حالات فقط إيجابية منها 3 تم شفائها، وحالة واحدة توفيت، بنسبة وفاة 25% بين الحالات التى تأكد إصابتها بالمرض.

أضاف الدكتور عبد الكريم السيد، أن الشىء الوحيد الذى يجعل المريض يأتى لنا فى بداية أعراض الاشتباه هى التوعية، لذلك فإن الـ 488 حالة المشتبه فى إصابتها بالمرض منها 438 حالة جاءت خلال شهر مايو الماضى.

مؤكدا أن الحالات التى تأتى إلينا ومشتبه فى إصابتها بالمرض يتضح أنها إيجابية 100%.

وأعلن وكيل وزارة الصحة بالدقهلية عن وجود 58 ألف علبة من "التاميفلو" كبسولات و7 آلاف زجاجة شراب، وكميات من المطهرات والكلور، كما حصلنا على مليون و300 ألف مصل تحسبا لأى جائحة، وهذه الأدوية محظور بيعها فى الصيدليات.

من جانب آخر، أكد اللواء سمير سلام، محافظ الدقهلية، على ضرورة العمل بدون أى تراخ، و لابد أن تكون الإجراءات حازمة و فعالة، حتى لا تتكرر أى إصابة بشرية، ولابد من زيادة حملات التوعية للمواطنين وزيادة الندوات فى مراكز الشباب والمدارس، لأن المرض بالدرجة الأولى يحتاج إلى توعية سليمة.

Egypt: 9 suspected cases of bird flu and queens

Friday, June 26, 2009 - 12:39
احتجز مستشفى حميات المنيا 9 حالات للاشتباه فى إصابتهم بمرض أنفلونزا الطيور، تضم قائمة المحتجزين كل من: مجدى على عزت مخيمر (35 سنة) من دمشير بالمنيا، وفاطمة الزهراء ممدوح عبد الرحمن (11 سنة) من مغاغة، وصابرين الضبع حسن (22 سنة) من قرية النحال أبو قرقاص، ومحمد خالد أحمد (5 سنوات) من قرية بنى أحمد الغربية مركز المنيا، ومصطفى علاء الدين (17 سنة) من سمالوط، وسيدة عبد الشافى خيرى (35 سنة) من كوم اللوف مركز سمالوط، وهبة فتحى مرسى (25 سنة) من سمالوط، ودينا أحمد ربيع (6 سنوات) من ماقوسة مركز المنيا، وحنان سامى عمر (27 سنة) من قرية حمزاوى بملوى.

Detained hospital fevers Minya 9 cases of suspected bird flu patients, including a list of all detainees from: Magdy Alija MEKHEMAR (35 years) of the Damisher queens, Fatima Zahra Mamdouh Abdel-Rahman (11 years) of the bell, and the hyena Sabrin Hassan (22 years) from the village of Abu Nahal returns, Mohamed Khaled Ahmed (5 years) from the village of Bani Ahmed El West Center, and Alaeddin Mustafa (17 years) of the Samalut, and a woman, Khairy Abdel Shafi (35 years old), Com Arum Samalut Center, and the gift of Fethiye Marina (25 years old), Samalut, and Dina Ahmed spring (6 years) of El Maqosp Center, and Hanan Sami Omar (27 years) from the village of Hamzawy Bmiloy.

WHO: Avian pig stable

Friday, 26 June 2009 05:31

أكدت منظمة الصحة العالمية ان فيروس إنفلونزا الخنازير مستقر، وانه لا توجد علامة على اختلاطه بغيره من فيروسات الانفلونزا ولا سيما إنفلونزا الطيور ، وفي هذا السياق، أعلنت مارجريت تشان مديرة منظمة الصحة العالمية للصحفيين في موسكو ردا على سؤال بشأن ما اذا كانت هناك اي مؤشرات على اختلاط الفيروس بسلالات اخرى مثل انفلونزا الطيور، أعلنت ان الفيروس ما زال مستقرا جدا، مشيرة في المقابل بعد لقائها وزيرة الصحة الروسية تاتيانا جوليكوفا أن الجميع يعلم ان هذا الفيروس يصعب التنبؤ به، وان لديه امكانية كبيرة للتحور

WHO confirmed that the swine flu virus, stable, and there was no sign of Achtlath other influenza viruses, especially avian influenza, and in this context, the Director, Margaret Chan, World Health Organization, told reporters in Moscow in response to a question on whether there were any signs of mixing of the virus strains such as avian influenza, the virus remains very stable, citing the other hand, after a meeting with the Minister of Health of Russian Tatiana Julikova, everyone knows that this virus is difficult to predict, and that has great potential to mutate

World Health Organization: There is no sign of mixing of bird flu, pig Binfeloza

Friday, June 26, 2009

The Director of the World Health Organization Margaret Chan said on Thursday that the virus 1 to 1 stable and that there was no sign of Achtlath infected with bird flu or other influenza viruses.

واضافت للصحفيين في موسكو "الفيروس ما يزال مستقرا جدا.

" She told reporters in Moscow, "the virus is still very stable."

واستدركت قائلة "لكن كما نعرف جميعا فان فيروس الانفلونزا يصعب التنبؤ به ولديه امكانية كبيرة للتحور."

However, "But as we all know, the flu virus, it is difficult to predict and has great potential to mutate."

وعبر بعض مسؤولي الصحة عن قلقهم من امكانية اتحاد فيروس اتش1 ان1 المعروف ايضا باسم انفلونزا الخنازير مع فيروس انفلونزا الطيور اتش5 ان1 الاشد فتكا.

And some health officials expressed concern about the possible union of HIV 1 to 1, also known as swine flu with bird flu virus virus 1 to 5 the most lethal.

وقالت تشان انه ينبغي متابعة الفيروسات عن كثب للتأكد من عدم تحورها.

Chan said that the virus should be followed up closely to ensure that there Thorha.

واضافت "نحتاج لمتابعة كيفية تصرفها في دول نصف الكرة الجنوبي لتبين ما اذا كان اتش1 ان1 وفيروس الانفلونزا الموسمية سيختلطان."

She added, "We need to follow up on how its disposal in the southern hemisphere to see if the virus 1 to 1 and the seasonal flu virus Sechtltan."

وتابعت "شيء مهم اخر ينبغي ان نتابعه هو اتش1 ان1 واتش5 ان1 المستوطن في بعض الدول في اسيا والشرق الاوسط. نود ان نرى ما اذا كان هناك اي تغير."

"The important thing that should we have been witnessing is that the H 1 H 1 and 5 to 1 is endemic in some countries of Asia and the Middle East. We would like to see if there's any change."

وقالت "مرة اخرى.. لم نكتشف اي علامة على حدوث اي اختلاط."

She said, "once again .. we have not found any sign of a cross."

Egypt: 36 detained in 5 provinces on suspicion of bird flu

June 26, 2009

احتجزت مستشفيات الحميات في 5 محافظات، اليوم الخميس، 36 حالة يشتبه في إصابتها بأعراض أنفلونزا الطيور.

Detained in hospital diets 5 provinces, on Thursday, 36 suspected cases of bird flu symptoms.

ففي الدقهلية احتجز مستشفى الصدر في المنصورة 17 حالة بينهم 10 أطفال من مراكز المطرية وميت غمر والمنزلة وشبين ودكرنس، وتم أخذ عينات منهم لتحليلها بعد التأكد من مخالطتهم طيورا نافقة.

In Dakahlia detained Mansoura Chest Hospital in the case of 17, including 10 children from the centers of the rain and Ghamr and downloaded and Shibin and Dekerness been sampling them for analysis to ensure Mkhaltthm after the dead birds.

وفي كفر الشيخ استقبلت مستشفي الحميات 13 حالة للاشتباه في إصابتهم بأنفلونزا الطيور وتم اخذ عينات من أصحابها وإرسالها للمعامل المركزية بالقاهرة.

In Kafr el-Sheikh hospital received 13 cases of fever on suspicion of bird flu samples were taken from their owners and sent to labs central Cairo.

وكان أصحاب تلك الحالات قد شعروا بارتفاع شديد في درجة الحرارة واحتقان بالحلق.

The owners of such situations may feel great in the high temperature and sore throat.

وفي دمياط احتجز مستشفي الحميات 4 حالات، إثر إصابتهم بارتفاع في درجة الحرارة والكحة والرشح.

DAMIETTA detained in hospital diets 4 cases, after their high temperature, cough and cold.

وفي محافظة المنيا أكد الدكتور محمد أيمن رجب ، وكيل وزاره الصحة، احتجاز هاجر اشرف فتحي، عامين ونصف العام من قرية شوشه بمركز سمالوط ، فى مستشفى الحميات.

In the province of Minya, Dr. Ayman Ragab Mohamed, Deputy Minister of Health, the detention of Ashraf Fathi emigrated, two and a half years of the status of the village of Shusha Samalut in hospital diets.

وفى الإسكندرية ضبطت حملات الجهات المعنية 16 محل و13 فرش لبيع الطيور الحية دون ترخيص، وأزالت 300 عشه لتربية الطيور المنزلية وأعدمت 3127 طائر، وأحالت 25 تاجر الي النيابة بعد فضهم الشمع الأحمر من على المحال وإعادة البيع دون ترخيص.

In those campaigns seized Alexandria on 16 and 13 place of honor for the sale of live birds without a license, and removed the straw 300 breeding domestic birds and 3127 birds were culled, and 25 referred to the prosecution after the dealer Vdahm Red wax from the shops and resale without a license.

وفى الوادي الجديد أعدمت حملات الطب البيطري 10840 طائر وأزالت 1214 عشه لتربية الطيور.

In the New Valley executed campaigns of Veterinary Medicine 10840 birds and removed the 1214 straw for the breeding of birds.

على صعيد آخر قال الدكتور نبيل درويش، رئيس الاتحاد العام لمنتجي الدواجن ، لـ"المصري اليوم" إن خسائر منتجي الدواجن منذ ظهور أنفلونزا الطيور عام 2006 وحتى الآن بلغت نحو 5 مليارات جنيه، مؤكدا أن الاتحاد هو المسئول الأول عن صناعة الدواجن وتطويرها بحكم القانون رقم 96 لسنة 98، منتقدا انشغال الحكومة بأنفلونزا الخنازير، وإهمال تطوير صناعة الدواجن وحل مشكلات المنتجين وأصحاب المزارع، مؤكدا أن الاتحاد تقدم بعدة محاور إلى وزارة الزراعة عام 2006، منها إنشاء صندوق لمواجهة الكوارث يسمى "مكافحة الأمراض الوبائية للدواجن" ويخضع لرقابة الجهاز المركزى للمحاسبات وتصدر لائحته المالية بقرار من وزير الزراعة بناءا على ما يقترحه مجلس أدارة الصندوق.

On the other hand, said Dr. Nabil Darwish, President of the General Federation of poultry producers, the "Egyptian Today" that the loss of poultry producers since the emergence of avian influenza in 2006 and so far amounted to about 5 billion pounds, adding that the Federation is the first official in charge of the poultry industry and develop the rule of law No. 96 to 98 years, criticized the government's preoccupation swine flu, and neglect the development of the poultry industry and solve the problems of producers and farm owners, saying that the Union had made a number of axes to the Ministry of Agriculture in 2006, including the establishment of a fund for the disaster called "the fight against epidemic diseases of poultry," and subjected to the control of the CAA issued its own financial decision of the Minister of Agriculture, acting on the proposed Board of Directors of the Fund.

واقترح الدكتور عبد العزيز السيد، رئيس شعبة الإنتاج الداجنى في الغرفة التجارية بالقاهرة، توزيع الإنتاج الداجني على المحافظات جغرافيا، إضافة لإمكانية أنشاء مزارع جديدة على الظهير الصحراوي في المحافظات أو نقل المزارع الموجودة حاليا إلى محافظات ليس بها مزارع دواجن.

It was suggested that Dr Abdel-Aziz al-Sayyed, head of the Division of Production of sending into exile in the Chamber of Commerce in Cairo, the distribution of poultry production on the geography of the provinces, in addition to the possibility of establishment of new plantations in the desert back to the provinces or the transfer of existing farms to the provinces with no poultry farms.

ومن جانبه قال اللواء حسن حميدة، نائب رئيس اللجنة العليا لمواجهة أنفلونزا الطيور، إن الحكومة وضعت تصورا جديدا لتطوير صناعة الدواجن ونقل مزارع الثروة الداجنة من المناطق السكنية والزراعية إلى المناطق الصحراوية لأنها تمثل ركيزة أساسية للبروتين لقطاع كبير من المواطنين، موضحا أن إجراءات صندوق التعويضات ستنتهي قريبا على يد الدكتور مفيد شهاب، وزير الدولة للشؤون القانونية لمجلسي الشعب والشورى.

For his part, Major General Hassan Hemeida, Vice-Chairman of the Higher Committee to combat bird flu, the government established a new vision for the development of the poultry industry and the transfer of poultry farms to residential areas and agricultural areas to the desert because they represent a fundamental pillar of protein for a large sector of citizens, adding that the actions of the Compensation Fund will be soon by Dr. Mufid Shehab, Minister of State for Legal Affairs of the People's Assembly and Shura.

Vietnam readies for pandemic as 15 more H1N1 cases found

June 26, 2009

Vietnam yesterday reported 15 more cases of influenza A sending health officials scrambling to get more hospitals ready in preparation for a possible national pandemic.

Twelve of the cases were detected in Ho Chi Minh City, all of them arriving at the Tan Son Nhat Airport on international flights over the weekend, Monday and Wednesday.

Three other cases were found in the central province of Thua ThienHue, including an overseas Vietnamese arriving at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport last Thursday and two people having had physical contact with her.

As of 6 p.m. yesterday the country’s total number of flu cases had risen to 78 with 27 having recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

HCMC alone has detected and treated 63 of these patients since it detected the first case on May 31.

Officials at Tan Son Nhat International Airport yesterday found 38 more passengers with high body temperatures and sent them to the Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital for testing.

As the number of infections and suspects for the disease at the airport has increased of late, the city Health Department has requested that the airport authority sterilize foreign airplanes before they land.

On some days six ambulances have been deployed to send suspected passengers from the airport to hospitals.

The city hospitals have been readied to admit 5,000-10,000 H1N1 patients in case of an outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said a network of 126 hospitals has been established to isolate and treat patients of the flu, with each reserving 30-50 sickbeds for the patients.

In case of a national pandemic, treatment bases will be put up at anytime to admit hundreds of local patients each.

The ministry has also considered closing schools, state offices and public places if and when needed.

WHO says H1N1 virus is stable, not yet mutating

Thursday June 25, 2009

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Thursday that the H1N1 virus was stable and there was no sign yet of it mixing with other influenza viruses.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan speaks to media during a news conference on the 62nd World Health Assembly at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva in this May 19, 2009 file photo. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

Some health officials have raised concerns that if H1N1, known by many as swine flu, combined with the much deadlier H5N1 bird flu virus then the pandemic could claim many more lives.

"The virus is still very stable," WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan told reporters at a news briefing in Moscow when asked if there were any signs of the virus mixing with other strains such as avian flu.

"But as we all know the influenza virus is highly unpredictable and has great potential for mutation," Chan said after meeting Russian Health Minister Tatyana Golikova.

Chan's remarks are some of the first comments by the WHO leadership since the United Nations agency declared an influenza pandemic on June 11.

Chan said the viruses needed to be closely monitored to make sure there was no mutation.

"We would need to look at how they are behaving in southern hemisphere countries to see whether the H1N1 and the usual seasonal influenza virus would reassort. So far we have not detected any signal," she said.

"Another important thing we need to monitor is H1N1 and H5N1, which is endemic in some countries in Asia and the Middle East. We would like to see whether there will be any change," she said. "Again, we did not detect any signal that there is any reassortment."

Chan, a straight-talking native of Hong Kong, said that while much effort was being expended on seeking vaccines, common sense measures could still reduce risks of being infected.

"In prevention and reducing the risk of this infection there is of course a lot of attention given to antivirals and vaccines. But we must not forget there are what we call non pharmaceutical measures which are very effective," she said.

"These are simple measures that each individual can take to protect themselves: don't smoke, get enough rest, eat a balanced diet to support a high level of immunity and frequent washing hands with water and soap."

"If you do unfortunately get infected, please do go to see a doctor."

Kuwait recognized the International Organization 500 thousand dollars


 Razuki: contribution to enable the «WHO» to fulfill their obligations in various parts of the world

الجمعة, 26 يونيو 2009 Friday, June 26, 2009

قال المندوب الدائم لدولة الكويت لدى الامم المتحدة والمنظمات الدولية السفير ضرار عبدالرزاق رزوقي ان مساهمة الكويت المالية في منظمة الصحة العالمية تأتي في اطار ايمانها بالاعباء الانسانية الملقاة على عاتق المنظمة. Said the Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations and International Organizations, Ambassador Dharar Abdulrazzaq Razuki that Kuwait's financial contribution to the World Health Organization as part of faith is stretched humanitarian responsibility of the organization.

واضاف رزوقي لـ(كونا) في اعقاب اجتماعه الى مدير عام منظمة الصحة العالمية الدكتورة مارجريت لتسليمها مساهمة دولة الكويت الطوعية الاستثنائية السنوية البالغة 500 ألف دولار ان هذه المساهمة تأتي كذلك لتمكين المنظمة من الوفاء بولايتها والتزاماتها في شتى انحاء العالم وخاصة في الدول العربية والاسلامية.وقال انه تم خلال اللقاء بحث مجمل القضايا والمسائل التي تهم الكويت والمنظمة وسبل التعاون ما بين الطرفين لا سيما ما تقوم به المنظمة حاليا من جهود لمكافحة انفلونزا الخنازير مضيفا انه اكد للمسؤولة الدولية ادراك دولة الكويت للدور الكبير الذي تقوم به المنظمة في كافة مجالات الصحة العامة خاصة في وقت الازمات العالمية والكوارث وانتشار الاوبئة. He Razuki l (KUNA) following the meeting to the Director-General of WHO, Dr. Margaret delivered to Kuwait with the voluntary contribution of the special annual amount of 500 thousand dollars that this contribution is also to enable the organization to fulfill its mandate and obligations around the world, especially in the Arab and Islamic states said. During the meeting, was a discussion of all issues and matters of concern to Kuwait and the Organization and ways of cooperation between the two parties in particular the Organization's ongoing efforts to combat swine flu, adding that he was responsible for the international awareness of the State of Kuwait of the large role played by the Organization in all areas of public health, especially in time of global crises and disasters and the spread of epidemics.

وذكر ان هذه المساهمة هي جزء من المساهمات الطوعية الاستثنائية التي تقدمها الكويت لعدد من المنظمات الدولية في جنيف كي تتمكن من القيام بمهامها الانسانية بأفضل شكل ممكن. He said that this contribution is part of a special voluntary contributions made by Kuwait for a number of international organizations in Geneva in order to be able to carry out humanitarian tasks in the best possible.

من جانبها نوهت الدكتورة شان بالروابط التي ترتبط بها منظمة الصحة العالمية مع دولة الكويت ووفدها الدائم في جنيف معبرة عن خالص شكرها للمساهمات الطوعية التي تقدمها لمنظمة الصحة العالمية بانتظام منذ عدة سنوات. For its part, Dr. Chan noted that the links associated with the World Health Organization with the State of Kuwait and the permanent delegation in Geneva to express my sincere thanks to the voluntary contributions made by the World Health Organization regularly for several years.

Egypt-Information Center deny the import of "Tamiflu" expired

الخميس، 25 يونيو 2009 - 19:49 Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 19:49

Fears of fraud Tamiflu

Denied the report of the central operations room status information of the Council of Ministers today, Thursday, is a newspaper published by the Ministry of Health to import the drug Tamiflu, the ultimate validity of a German company, and the use of the ministry in coordination with the supplier company to re-print "Asticrz" forged a new branding on the packaging of Tamiflu , According to the continuation of the authority for two years, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health found that the drug extended the authority, and that the amount of new raw material is imported from the property, which is enough to manufacture 2.5 million device, which will supply during the month of July...

The high incidence of flu in Saudi Arabia after the registration of 53 to 5 injuries

كل الوطن - رنيم المشهراوي 01:45:32 م ‏25 ‏يونيو, ‏2009 بتوقيت مكة المكرمة The whole of the country - Rnim Mashharawi 01:45:32 PM Jun 25, 2009 GMT Mecca
أعلنت وزارة الصحة أنه وفي إطار المتابعة المستمرة التي تقوم بها لمستجدات الوضع بالنسبة لمرض أنفلونزا الخنازير خلال الـ(24) ساعة الماضية فقد تم تسجيل (5) حالات إصابة جديدة بمرض أنفلونزا نمط Ministry of Health announced that a follow-up is continuing to update the status of the disease during the swine flu (24) hours have been recorded (5) new cases of avian disease pattern A(H1N1) الخنازير A (H1N1) swine . . وأوضحت الوزارة أن الحالة الأولى لممرضة فلينية وافدة (56) سنة في منطقة الباحة والحالة الثانية والثالثة لممرضتين فلبينيتين (54،37) سنة في الرياض والحالة الرابعة لممرضة سعودية (24) سنة في الرياض والحالة الخامسة لطفلة ألبانية الجنسية (4) سنوات في الرياض The Ministry pointed out that the first case of a nurse Velinip incoming (56) years in the courtyard and the second and third of the Filipino nurses (54.37) years in Riyadh, the fourth case of a Saudi nurse (24) years in Riyadh and the fifth case of an Albanian girl sex (4) years in Riyadh وجميع هذه الحالات الأربعة أنتقل إليها المرض بسبب المخالطة ، All of these four cases, turn to the disease because of contact, وجاري تطبيق إجراءات العزل على الحالات طبقاً لإجراءات الخطة الوطنية للوقاية من مرض انفلونزا الخنازير وبحسب ما أوصت به منظمة الصحة العالمية. And isolation procedures are being applied to cases in accordance with the national plan for the prevention of disease, swine flu and as recommended by the World Health Organization. وبذلك يصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات (53) حالة مصابة بمرض انفلونزا الخنازير Bringing the total number of cases (53) infected with the case of swine flu A(H1N1) تم تأكيدها جميعاً في مختبرات وزارة الصحة A (H1N1) was confirmed in all laboratories of the Ministry of Health .. .. ولقد وفرت وزارة الصحة خدمة الهاتف المجاني لمركز معلومات الإعلام والتوعية الصحية ( 8002494444 ) للرد على الاستفسارات المتعلقة بمرض أنفلونزا الخنازير A(H1N1) We have provided the service of the Ministry of Health toll free information center for information and health education (8002494444) to respond to inquiries on the disease, swine influenza A (H1N1) وطمأنة المواطنين والمقيمين بالإجراءات الوقائية والاحترازية التي تقوم بها الوزارة حيال هذا المرض وبيان طرق الوقاية منه وذلك خلال أوقات الدوام الرسمي And to reassure citizens and residents of preventive and precautionary action undertaken by the ministry about the disease and the methods of prevention and during official business hours . . وختاماً نسأل المولى عزل وجل أن يحفظ لهذه البلاد قادتها وشعبها والمقيمين فيها من كل سوء وأن يمن على المرضى المصابين بالشفاء والعافية In conclusion, we ask the meaning given to preserving the isolation of this country, its leaders and its people and residents from both poor and Yemen on the patients with recovery and wellness .

Giza, in a state of emergency to confront the plague

June 25, 2009 - 03:23 pm
قرر محافظ الجيزة اللواء سيد عبد العزيز، مراقبة مداخل ومخارج المحافظة من قبل لجان الطب البيطرى والبشرى لمنع للسيطرة على مرض الطاعون. Decided that the governor of Giza General Syed Abdul Aziz, monitor the entrances and exits to the preservation of the committees by the human and veterinary medicine for the prevention of control of the disease plague. وطالب خلال اجتماعه أمس الأربعاء، بالمجلس المحلى للمحافظة، وزارة الزراعة بضرورة رش جميع زرائب الخنازير للتخلص من الفئران التى خلفتها مخلفات الخنازير. Demanded during a meeting on Wednesday, the local council of the province, the Ministry of Agriculture and the need to spray all Pigsties to get rid of the rats left by remnants of pigs.

وفيما أمر المحافظ مسئولى الأحياء بضرورة تطوير مركز غسيل الكلى بحى الهرم لخدمة المرضى بكفاءة. The neighborhood is conservative officials need to develop the Center District of dialysis patients in the service of the pyramid efficiently. قال د. D said. حمدى السيسى وكيل المجلس المحلى، إن المركز يخدم المواطنين منذ 10 سنوات على مدار 24 ساعة لعلاج مرضى الكلى، إلا أن هناك محاولات لغلق هذا المركز ونقل أجهزته، مشيراً إلى أن ذلك يعد إهداراً للمال العام. Under Hamdi wounded, a local council, said that the center serves the 10 years since the citizens over 24 hours for the treatment of kidney patients, but there are attempts to close the center and its transfer, pointing out that this is a waste of public funds.

من جهته، أكد د.مصطفى المراغى وكيل وزارة الصحة بالجيزة أنه لا يمكن نقل أطباء ومعدات مركز غسيل الكلى بالهرم، لأنه يخدم المنطقة بأكملها ولكن لابد من معالجة أخطائه. For his part, he said. Mostafa EL MARAGHY Deputy Minister of Health in Giza, can not be doctors, dialysis equipment, the status of the pyramid, because it serves the entire region, but we have to deal with mistakes.

Libya stresses the containment of the disease focus of plague in the region of Tobruk near the Egyptian borders

6/26/2009 12:05:00 AM

طرابلس - محرر مصراوى – اكد ابو بكر المنصورى وزير للزراعة والثروة الحيوانية والبحرية رئيس اللجنة العليا للأنفلونزا والأمراض المشتركة إنه تم احتواء وحصر بؤرة مرض الطاعون في منطقة طبرق التى تبعد 150 كيلومتراً عن الحدود المصرية ، وتم التعامل معها بكافة الطرق السليمة والصحيحة من قبل قطاعي الصحة العامة والصحة الحيوانية بالجماهيرية ووفقا لبرنامج عمل اللجنة العليا بهذا الخصوص.

Tripoli - Masrawy Editor - Abu Bakr al-Mansouri, minister of agriculture, livestock and marine head of the Supreme Committee for the flu and the common disease has been contained and the focus of countless plague disease in the Tobruk area, about 150 kilometers from the Egyptian border, has been dealing with all the safe and proper by the public health sectors and animal health in Libya and in accordance with the Program of Action of the High Commission in this regard.

وأكد المنصورى عدم تسجيل أي حالة إصابة بوباء الخنازير في الجماهيرية الليبية حتى الآن.

Mansouri stressed the non-registration of any cases of swine epidemic in Libya until now.

وقد عقدت اللجنة العليا للأنفلونزا والأمراض المشتركة فى الجماهيرية الليبية اجتماعا استثنائيا الخميس بطرابلس لمتابعة الإجراءات الوقائية التي اتخذتها الجماهيرية لمكافحة وباء أنفلونزا الخنازير بعد إعلان منظمة الصحة العالمية تحول الوباء إلى جائحة (وباء عالمي) ، ورفعت الانذار إلى الدرجة السادسة والقصوى ، وتسجيل حالات إصابة جديدة في البلدان المجاورة لها.

The Commission held the highest of influenza and the common diseases in the Libyan Jamahiriya in Tripoli on Thursday an extraordinary meeting for the follow-up preventive measures taken by the public to combat the pandemic of swine flu, after the Declaration of the World Health Organization to turn the epidemic pandemic (global epidemic), and raised the alarm to the sixth grade and the highest, and the registration of new cases in its neighboring countries.

واستعرضت اللجنة - في اجتماعها برئاسة أميني اللجنتين الشعبيتين العامتين للزراعة والثروة الحيوانية والبحرية وللصحة والبيئة " وزيرا الزراعة والصحة " وعضوية أمين اللجنة الشعبية للمركز الوطني للأمراض السارية والمتوطنة ومكافحتها ، ومدير عام مركز الرقابة على الأغذية والأدوية ، وأمين لجنة إدارة الهيئة الوطنية للبحث العلمي ، وعدد من الخبراء المتخصصين في هذا المجال - الوضع السائد لبؤرة الطاعون بمنطقة طبرق ومراجعة ما تم اتخاذه من إجراءات من قبل كافة الجهات ذات العلاقة بهذا الشأن.

The Committee reviewed - in the meeting chaired by the secretaries general of the popular committees and the cultivation of animal and marine wealth, health and the environment, "Minister of Agriculture and Health" and the membership of the People's Committee of the National Center of communicable diseases and endemic diseases, and director of the Center for the control of food and medicine, and the Secretary of the Management Committee of the National Authority for Scientific Research, and a number of experts in this area - the situation of plague in the center of Tobruk and review the actions taken by all relevant authorities in this regard.

وشددت اللجنة في هذا الخصوص على أهمية نشر الوعي والتثقيف الصحي بين المواطنين واتخاذ اجراءات الوقاية غير الدوائية ضد وباء الخنازير.

The Commission stressed in this connection the importance of spreading awareness and health education among citizens and to take preventive measures against the non-medicinal and B pigs.

وتم التأكيد على رفع درجة الاستعداد لهذه الجائحة العالمية والتشديد على مراقبة المطارات والمنافذ البرية والبحرية للجماهيرية الليبية بأحدث الأجهزة والمختبرات المعملية الخاصة بهذا الوباء .

Emphasis was placed on raising the degree of readiness of this global pandemic and the emphasis on the control of airports and land and sea ports of the Libyan Jamahiriya art laboratory equipment and laboratory for this epidemic.

كما تم التأكيد على ضرورة وجود موقف يومي من جميع هذه المنافذ لموافاة اللجنة بهذا الخصوص والإعلان عن أي إصابة قد تكتشف ، والتركيز على الدور الإعلامي في هذا الجانب.

It was also stressed the need for a position on all these outlets to provide the Committee in this regard and the announcement of any infection that may be discovered, and focus on the role of media in this aspect.

وتابعت اللجنة الإجراءات المتخذة بمستشفيات الجماهيرية الليبية من خلال توفير الأماكن المخصصة للحجر الصحي والإيوائي وتوفير الأدوية وكيفية التعامل مع الحالات المصابة إن وجدت.

The Committee followed the procedures taken by the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya hospitals by providing places for quarantine and Aliiwaii and the provision of medicines and how to deal with the infected cases, if any.

يذكر أن المكتب الإقليمي لمنظمة الصحة العالمية لمنطقة دول شرق المتوسط قد حذر في بيان له، من خطورة تفشى وباء الطاعون وخطورته على حياة البشر، مشيرة لظهوره في منطقة طبرق الليبية، مؤكدا "أن الطاعون من الأمراض التي تستدعى استخدام آلية اتخاذ القرار للتقييم والإخطار عن الأحداث الصحية التي قد تشكل طارئة صحية عمومية تسبب قلقاً عالميًا".

Recalled that the Regional Office of WHO for the Eastern Mediterranean, has warned in a statement, the seriousness of the outbreak of plague and danger to human life, citing his appearance in the Tobruk Libyan, stressing that "the plague of disease that necessitates the use of decision-making mechanism for the assessment and notification of events health which may constitute a public health emergency caused global concern.

AH1N1 viruses for the first time in pigs in Argentina

AH1N1 viruses for the first time in pigs in Argentina
YP
Globovision / ABN
25/06/2009 12:38:40 AM

The influenza A H1N1 virus was first detected in pigs in a pig production in Argentina, reported on Thursday the National Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA) said in a statement.

The detection of an establishment located in the province of Buenos Aires (central-east) was made in the epidemiological surveillance activities carried out by the agency with other entities in the country, said the party.

Laboratory tests made in the Institute Malbrán confirmed the presence of the disease from samples isolated from pigs, which were delivered by technicians from the National Institute for Agricultural Technology (INTA).

After the screening, were banned entry or exit of animals from the farm, which was under observation, according to a press release, which did not specify the exact location of the establishment.

Marcelo Blumenfeld, a member of the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases, said that the detection of influenza in a pig becomes relevant only because the strain is identified in the same animal that has triggered the pandemic.

"It's common for pigs to have the flu, there is no obligation to denounce it. Even as it is alarming that the H1N1 virus, because it is a common type of which many variants exist," he warned.

The specialist explained that there are numerous alternatives within the H1N1 virus since there are 16 different H1 and nine N1 can be combined with each other.

A total of 21 people died in Argentina affected by the influenza A was confirmed since the first case of the disease in the country on May 7, according to the last Wednesday of the official party newspaper, which reported 1391 positive cases, 967 process in addition to the laboratory.

hattip Shiloh

Egypt: 9 cases of detention of suspected bird flu in the lake, Menya

Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 12:25

Congratulations, Dr. Yusri said Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health the lake, that the hospital admitted the detention of Damanhour 7 cases of suspected bird flu, a hospital, while another case, the detention of Mansoura, after the emergence of the disease with similar symptoms of fever and pain in bones, severe stress and difficulty in breathing.

حيث قام مستشفى صدر المنصورة باحتجاز محمد يونس عبد العزيز (28 سنة) مقيم بإيتاى البارود، فيما قام مستشفى حميات دمنهور باحتجاز أحمد عبد الرحيم (13 سنة) وإيمان السيد مصطفى (4 سنوات)، شيماء حسن جمعة (9 سنوات)، أحمد رأفت جمعة (9 سنوات)، محمد سعد مشعل (8 شهور)، منة علام عدلى (سنتان)، أية رفاعى السيد (سنتان)، وتم احتجازهم بالمستشفيات بعد أخذ عينة دم منهم لتحليلها بالمعامل المركزية بالقاهرة. Hospital, where he was detained Egypt Muhammad Yunus Abdul Aziz (28 years) resident Biitay gunpowder, and the hospital admitted Damanhour detained Ahmed Abdel-Rahim (13 years) and Mr. Mustafa Iman (4 years), Shaima Hassan Gomaa (9 years), Raafat Ahmed Gomaa (9 years), Mohamed Saad Meshal (8 months), of which Allam Adly (two years), Mr. Rifai any (two years), had been detained in hospital after taking a blood sample for analysis, including central labs in Cairo.

وعلى الفور انتقلت لجنة مكافحة المرض لمنازل المرضى لتطهيرها وتطهير المنازل المجاورة وأخذ عينات من الطيور الموجودة بالمنازل لفحصها وبيان مدى إصابتها. And immediately transferred to the Committee against the disease for patients, clearing houses and clearing houses nearby and took samples of domestic birds to be tested and the extent of her statement.

كما احتجز مستشفى حميات المنيا الطفلة هاجر أشرف فتحى من قرية شوشة مركز سمالوط، والتى لم تتجاوز من العمر الثلاث سنوات للاشتباه بإصابتها بمرض أنفلونزا الطيور، كانت الطفلة قد أصيبت بنزلة برد حادة وارتفاع فى درجة الحرارة وضيق فى التنفس، مما دفع الأهل لنقلها إلى المستشفى، حيث اشتبه الأطباء فى إصابتها بأنفلونزا الطيور.

Also detained a hospital admitted the girl Minya Ashraf Fathi emigrated from the village of Shusha Samalut Center, which did not exceed the age of three years on suspicion of bird flu disease, bird flu, the girl has suffered a severe cold and high fever and shortness of breath, prompting parents to transport them to hospital, where doctors suspected bird flu.

تم أخذ عينات وإرسالها إلى المعامل المركزية بالقاهرة، نظرا لتعطل أجهزة التحاليل بالمستشفى بالمنيا، وقد علمت المصادر أن هناك أوامر بعدم التصريح بأى أخبار عن احتجاز الاشتباه بأنفلونزا الطيور، كما أكد مصدر مسئول أن مستشفى حميات المنيا كان يحتجز 13 شخصا للاشتباه بإصاباتهم بأنفلونزا الطيور، وقد تم التصريح للخروج لـ9 منهم، وذلك لسلبية النتائج والمستشفى تنتظر عينات الأربع الآخرين للتأكد من سلبية التحليل.

Samples were taken and sent to labs central Cairo, in view of the crash tests and queens hospital, sources have learned that there are orders not to make any news about the detention of suspected bird flu, as the official source said the hospital admitted Menya 13 people had been detained in hospital for suspected bird flu, has been has been declared out of 9 of them, for the negative results, the hospital waiting for the other four samples to ensure negative analysis.

Egypt: Detention of a person suspected of being infected with swine flu lake

Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 12:19

Congratulations, Dr. Yusri said Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health the lake, was taken into custody a person suspected of being infected with swine flu after an outbreak of the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of sudden high fever, bone pain, sore throat and runny nose, cough and pain in muscles and strain, and found that he worked in a hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh is in contact with tourists.

حيث قام مستشفى كفر الدوار العام باحتجاز محمد صلاح كامل (27 سنة) ومقيم بإيتاى البارود، وتم عزله عن باقى المرضى بعد أخذ عينة دم منه ومسحة حلق لتحليلها وبيان مدى إصابته بالمرض وإعطائه عقار التاميفلو، وتم التنسيق مع مديرية الطب البيطرى والبيئة والطب الوقائى لاتخاذ اللازم وفحص البؤرة المحيطة والمخالطين له. Where the Kafr Al-Dawar General Hospital, the detention of Mohamed Salah Kamel (27 years) and a resident Biitay of gunpowder, were isolated from the rest of the patients after taking a blood sample from the swab and hours of analysis and description of how a given disease and the drug Tamiflu, and coordination with the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine and Preventive Medicine and Environment to take necessary and examination of contacts and focus surrounding him.