1/11/13
By Helen Branswell
Excerpt:
The WHO is hosting a meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Cairo, pulling
together researchers who work on coronaviruses, public health officials
who have been involved in the outbreak and others who can help to flesh
out what is known so far.
Among those attending will be people who led responses to other
emerging disease outbreaks, such as the 2003 SARS crisis. Someone from
Canada has been invited to attend to discuss the country’s SARS
experience, but the WHO won’t reveal the list of the invitees.
In part, a WHO official admits, the aim is to encourage more sharing
of information than has occurred up to date. Between 25 and 30 people
have been invited, and the meeting will be held behind closed doors.
“Often what we find is that people who are involved in research are
reluctant to share preliminary findings,” said Dr. Anthony Mounts, the
WHO’s point person for the coronavirus investigation.
“(It’s) partly because they want to publish but I think also because
there’s a reluctance to share stuff that they’re not quite confident in
yet, because it’s still preliminary. But we find that when they come to
meetings like this they’re much more willing to share it openly.”
Among those expected to attend is Dr. Ian Lipkin, director of the
Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University’s Mailman
School of Public Health in New York. Lipkin is an expert on emerging
infectious diseases; a brief biography on his centre’s website says he
has identified at least 400 previously unknown viruses in the past
decade.
Lipkin travelled to Saudi Arabia last fall to try to find the source
of the new coronavirus, and a comment he made to the journal Nature
suggests he found something. But he hasn’t shared that information in
any depth and most observers believe a publication is probably pending.
(Scientific journals typically won’t publish findings that have already
been reported elsewhere.)
The Nature article, published in early December, said Lipkin revealed
he had discovered that partial genetic sequences of a virus from bats
match the new coronavirus. “The finding gives insight into the original
source of the virus,” he told Nature.
Full article: http://metronews.ca/news/world/505109/who-looks-for-more-info-on-new-coronavirus/
Friday, January 11, 2013
Reminder: CDC Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report Availability
You can get the CDC Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report (FluView) by scrolling down this page, and looking at the right side-bar. It's located under "Worldwide Update On Influenza Activity". 4th listing.
Iowa: Flu patients flooding Des Moines medical centers
1/11/13
For the first time since the H1N1 virus caused a flu pandemic in 2009-10, Des Moines-area hospitals have issued a joint appeal urging patients to stay away from local emergency rooms if they need nonemergency medical care.
The Mercy and Iowa Health systems and Broadlawns Medical Center cited heavy volumes of patients and long wait times at their emergency rooms and increased hospital admissions due to an unusually early spike in flu cases.
The hospitals are directing individuals with non-life-threatening illnesses to seek treatment at walk-in and urgent care clinics to keep emergency rooms available for serious cases. The hospitals also are restricting patient visitors.
Continued: http://dmjuice.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130111/NEWS/301110059/1001
Official: Flu deaths continue to rise among children
January 11, 2013
Atlanta (CNN) -- The spread of the flu across the United States appears to have slowed in portions of five states in the South and Southeast, a federal official told CNN early Friday, even as a National Institutes of Health director warned of the onset of "a classic flu epidemic."
Atlanta (CNN) -- The spread of the flu across the United States appears to have slowed in portions of five states in the South and Southeast, a federal official told CNN early Friday, even as a National Institutes of Health director warned of the onset of "a classic flu epidemic."
The news came hours before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
was due to release its flu advisory report for December 30 to January
5, which according to the official with knowledge of the findings will
also show the number of flu-related deaths for children climbed by two
last week.
Seasonal Flu: New York in Midst of Flu Epidemic
January 11, 2013
A ferocious flu “epidemic” has New Yorkers rushing to doctors, hospitals and drug stores — with emergency-room visits up 150 percent over last year, city health officials said yesterday.
“It’s a bad year. We’ve got lots of flu,” said city Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, who noted influenza-related cases spiked from 2 percent of all emergency-room visits for the peak of last year’s flu season to 5 percent this year.
Continued: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/city_flu_anguish_UtbvdBDeD51IsvdqsP1uOO
A ferocious flu “epidemic” has New Yorkers rushing to doctors, hospitals and drug stores — with emergency-room visits up 150 percent over last year, city health officials said yesterday.
“It’s a bad year. We’ve got lots of flu,” said city Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, who noted influenza-related cases spiked from 2 percent of all emergency-room visits for the peak of last year’s flu season to 5 percent this year.
Continued: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/city_flu_anguish_UtbvdBDeD51IsvdqsP1uOO
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Seasonal Flu: Minnesota flu outbreak rivals deadly pandemic of 2009
January 10, 2013
Minnesota appears to be in the midst of the worst flu outbreak since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, health officials said Wednesday.
A record number of children -- 123 -- tested positive for the flu at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in the first week of January, and 16 were hospitalized, according to Patsy Stinchfield, the director of infectious diseases.
The numbers, she said, are higher "than our highest week in the H1N1 pandemic.''
-snip-
New statewide numbers are expected to be released Thursday, but one Health Department official said Wednesday that more than 900 people have been hospitalized so far this season -- a big spike just in the past week. By comparison, only 552 people were hospitalized in Minnesota during the entire last flu season.
Continued: http://www.startribune.com/local/186225331.html?refer=y
Minnesota appears to be in the midst of the worst flu outbreak since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, health officials said Wednesday.
A record number of children -- 123 -- tested positive for the flu at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in the first week of January, and 16 were hospitalized, according to Patsy Stinchfield, the director of infectious diseases.
The numbers, she said, are higher "than our highest week in the H1N1 pandemic.''
-snip-
New statewide numbers are expected to be released Thursday, but one Health Department official said Wednesday that more than 900 people have been hospitalized so far this season -- a big spike just in the past week. By comparison, only 552 people were hospitalized in Minnesota during the entire last flu season.
Continued: http://www.startribune.com/local/186225331.html?refer=y
Seasonal Flu: Michigan Confirms 4 Deaths
January 10, 2013
LANSING, MI - Michigan health officials have confirmed the fourth flu-related death of a child this season - a teenager from Central Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Community Health confirmed Tuesday night that the 15-year-old’s death was due to the flu, spokeswoman Angela Minicuci said Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Other children who have died from the influenza virus include an infant and a 6-year-old from Southwest Michigan and a 13-year-old from Central Michigan.
Continued: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/teen_from_central_michigan_is.html
LANSING, MI - Michigan health officials have confirmed the fourth flu-related death of a child this season - a teenager from Central Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Community Health confirmed Tuesday night that the 15-year-old’s death was due to the flu, spokeswoman Angela Minicuci said Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Other children who have died from the influenza virus include an infant and a 6-year-old from Southwest Michigan and a 13-year-old from Central Michigan.
Continued: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/teen_from_central_michigan_is.html
Seasonal Flu: 6 New Flu Deaths Reported In Oklahoma
Jan 10, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY -
Three of those death have occurred in Tulsa County; one more from a week ago.
The other deaths occurred in Creek, Mayes, Muskogee, Pittsburg and Rogers counties. Each county recorded one influenza death from January 2-January 8.
The data does not say if the deaths were male or female, but it shows four were between the ages of 19-64 and the rest were 65 or older.
The OSDH has seen 345 hospitalized cases of flu since September 30, 2012. Ninety-two of those cases were reported January 2-January 8, 2013.
Continued: http://www.newson6.com/story/20553888/flu-deaths-jump-in-oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY -
The number of flu deaths in
Oklahoma jumped by six in one week, according to data released Thursday
by the Oklahoma Department of Health.
On Thursday, January 3, only two influenza deaths had been reported.
For the week ending January 8, the OSDH reports eight flu-related
deaths. Three of those death have occurred in Tulsa County; one more from a week ago.
The other deaths occurred in Creek, Mayes, Muskogee, Pittsburg and Rogers counties. Each county recorded one influenza death from January 2-January 8.
The data does not say if the deaths were male or female, but it shows four were between the ages of 19-64 and the rest were 65 or older.
The OSDH has seen 345 hospitalized cases of flu since September 30, 2012. Ninety-two of those cases were reported January 2-January 8, 2013.
Continued: http://www.newson6.com/story/20553888/flu-deaths-jump-in-oklahoma
Iraq: 2 Died of Bird Flu in Hillah #H5N1
1/10/2013
Died old girl 28 years old, and the other did not exceed 25 years on Thursday, bird flu in the city of Hilla province of Babylon.
medical source said at the hospital of Hilla surgical Agency (news): The girl first live neighborhood Hussein central city of Hilla, and died in the hospital and was "holder", noting that models of laboratory tests received from Public Health Laboratory of the Ministry of Health confirmed infected with bird flu. The source added: that the girl the second died today also before the arrival of the analysis results to sent to Baghdad on Wednesday, and continued: will be sampling Allamso two girls to take health measures. / end / 14. n. p /
http://www.ikhnews.com/news_view_70479.html
Died old girl 28 years old, and the other did not exceed 25 years on Thursday, bird flu in the city of Hilla province of Babylon.
medical source said at the hospital of Hilla surgical Agency (news): The girl first live neighborhood Hussein central city of Hilla, and died in the hospital and was "holder", noting that models of laboratory tests received from Public Health Laboratory of the Ministry of Health confirmed infected with bird flu. The source added: that the girl the second died today also before the arrival of the analysis results to sent to Baghdad on Wednesday, and continued: will be sampling Allamso two girls to take health measures. / end / 14. n. p /
http://www.ikhnews.com/news_view_70479.html
Healing 4 people in Gaza from bird flu
1/7/2013
The Ministry of Health in Gaza Monday evening healing four cases including two women were infected with bird flu after receiving care hospitals sector said general manager primary care at the Ministry of Health Fouad Issawi said that his ministry has routinely sampling Laboratory randomized patients expected to have complications from the flu.
pointed out that out of the total samples taken from the patients were discovered analyze positive for four cases of them two women, were treated at the hospital.
confirmed Issawi that there have been no deaths related to the virus in the Gaza Strip, referring to the that hospitals and health centers on the readiness fully to deal with any infection.
said Issawi The National Commission for the control of infectious diseases at the Ministry of Health is studying infectious diseases and control any rise abruptly in proportions and put prevention strategies and activities to combat these diseases.
explained Issawi that there is a system monitor continuously All infectious diseases and report weekly by the Ministry of Health representative primary care and Relief Agency, based on indicators such monitoring is measured any problems emergency or spread any contagious disease.
rose mortality resulting from this virus in the occupied West Bank to 12 cases, while the number of injuries installed to 352 so far.
http://arabi.ahram.org.eg/NewsQ/19552.aspx
The Ministry of Health in Gaza Monday evening healing four cases including two women were infected with bird flu after receiving care hospitals sector said general manager primary care at the Ministry of Health Fouad Issawi said that his ministry has routinely sampling Laboratory randomized patients expected to have complications from the flu.
pointed out that out of the total samples taken from the patients were discovered analyze positive for four cases of them two women, were treated at the hospital.
confirmed Issawi that there have been no deaths related to the virus in the Gaza Strip, referring to the that hospitals and health centers on the readiness fully to deal with any infection.
said Issawi The National Commission for the control of infectious diseases at the Ministry of Health is studying infectious diseases and control any rise abruptly in proportions and put prevention strategies and activities to combat these diseases.
explained Issawi that there is a system monitor continuously All infectious diseases and report weekly by the Ministry of Health representative primary care and Relief Agency, based on indicators such monitoring is measured any problems emergency or spread any contagious disease.
rose mortality resulting from this virus in the occupied West Bank to 12 cases, while the number of injuries installed to 352 so far.
http://arabi.ahram.org.eg/NewsQ/19552.aspx
Indonesia: #H5N1 2.3.2.1 Clade
Could Bird Flu Virus Transmitted to Humans from Ducks
Excerpt:
Since it was found in October 2012 to Tuesday (8/1), bird flu virus subgroup 2.3.2 has spread in 69 regencies / municipalities in 11 provinces. The virus has caused 242,000 ducks died in Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Bali. In fact, on December 26 a new virus that killed 150,000 ducks in 50 districts / cities in nine provinces.
Deputy for Health, Population and Family Planning at the Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare Agustiono Emil said, poor traffic control inter-regional and inter-island trade ducks make flu rapid spread of bird duck. Officers transportation agencies and veterinary centers in the area have the authority to inspect poultry entering an area. "If good traffic control birds, should not spread as quickly as this," he said.
Azhar added that the bird flu virus in ducks can move to the other birds, such as wild duck and chicken. The virus is transmitted through snot and dirt ducks. This virus can be carried by air and water to spread everywhere. If the virus is spread to commercial poultry, certainly very high economic losses. Increasing number of variations of the bird flu virus that attacks a variety of birds, the government is certainly more difficult to control.
Moreover, if the virus is transmitted to humans. Not only detrimental to the economy, said Emil, it can threaten the security of the country.
http://health.kompas.com/read/2013/01/10/0801001/Virus.Flu.Burung.Bisa.Menular.dari.Itik.ke.Manusia?utm_source=WP&utm_medium=box&utm_campaign=Khewp
Excerpt:
Since it was found in October 2012 to Tuesday (8/1), bird flu virus subgroup 2.3.2 has spread in 69 regencies / municipalities in 11 provinces. The virus has caused 242,000 ducks died in Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Bali. In fact, on December 26 a new virus that killed 150,000 ducks in 50 districts / cities in nine provinces.
Deputy for Health, Population and Family Planning at the Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare Agustiono Emil said, poor traffic control inter-regional and inter-island trade ducks make flu rapid spread of bird duck. Officers transportation agencies and veterinary centers in the area have the authority to inspect poultry entering an area. "If good traffic control birds, should not spread as quickly as this," he said.
Azhar added that the bird flu virus in ducks can move to the other birds, such as wild duck and chicken. The virus is transmitted through snot and dirt ducks. This virus can be carried by air and water to spread everywhere. If the virus is spread to commercial poultry, certainly very high economic losses. Increasing number of variations of the bird flu virus that attacks a variety of birds, the government is certainly more difficult to control.
Moreover, if the virus is transmitted to humans. Not only detrimental to the economy, said Emil, it can threaten the security of the country.
http://health.kompas.com/read/2013/01/10/0801001/Virus.Flu.Burung.Bisa.Menular.dari.Itik.ke.Manusia?utm_source=WP&utm_medium=box&utm_campaign=Khewp
HPA: Weekly update of norovirus activity
[You can obtain the weekly updates by looking at the right side-bar of the blog, under the title of "Weekly Updates of Norovirus Activity" under the title of Norovirus Sydney 2012.
We should have another update this week. This update states that during the 2 week period they recorded 29 hospital outbreaks and 76% of those 29 reports led to ward/bay closures or restrictions to admissions. That is quite a bit.
There is also a worrisome report here:
We should have another update this week. This update states that during the 2 week period they recorded 29 hospital outbreaks and 76% of those 29 reports led to ward/bay closures or restrictions to admissions. That is quite a bit.
Report date: 31 December 2012
Hospital outbreak reports
www.hpa-bioinformatics.org.uk/noroOBK/home.php
In the two weeks between 17/12/2012 and 30/12/2012 the HPA hospital outbreak reporting scheme (HNORS) recorded 29 suspected or confirmed outbreaks of norovirus. Of these, 22 (76 percent) led to ward/bay closures or restrictions to admissions and 11 (38 percent) outbreaks were recorded as laboratory confirmed due to norovirus. In this season (since week 27 2012) 590 outbreaks have been reported, 517 (88 percent) of which reported ward/bay closures or restrictions to admissions and 358 (61 percent) were reported as laboratory confirmed norovirus outbreaks. In the last season (week 27 2011 – week 26 2012) there were 1653 outbreaks of which 1291 (78 percent) led to ward closures and 1075 (65 percent) were laboratory confirmed as due to norovirus*.
There is also a worrisome report here:
Syndromic surveillance dataFrom the above link:
Syndromic surveillance data is a useful indicator for the level of gastrointestinal disease in the community. The syndromes are not specific diagnoses however, the proportion of calls to NHS direct for vomiting has been shown to be a useful indicator of increased levels of norovirus activity in the community.
The latest HPA/NHS syndromic surveillance bulletin (no. 117) reports that the proportion of calls for diarrhoea and vomiting are stable and within seasonally expected levels. Note there is currently an issue with syndromic calls data in the under 1 year age group, see the syndromic surveillance web page for further details. http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317137528535
Data for 17 December 2012 – 23 December 2012
PLEASE NOTE that due to the ongoing transition of urgent care services across England, including the introduction of NHS 111, the volume of NHS Direct syndromic calls is gradually declining (figure 1), particularly in those areas where NHS 111 is currently operational. Please see notes for further details.
The national level of NHS Direct cold/flu and fever calls has been rising steadily over the past three weeks (Figure 2). Experience from several years’ surveillance of NHS Direct calls has shown that rises in cold/flu calls (all ages) and fever calls (5-14 yrs), above calculated threshold levels, may indicate a rise in influenza/influenza-like illness in the community. The weekly and daily call proportions for fever 5-14 years and cold/flu calls are now above the influenza threshold (speedometer below). These findings are consistent with other influenza indicators such as national laboratory reports of influenza B in those aged 5-14 years and reported school outbreaks.
Health Protection Agency (HPA): New Strain of Norovirus
[This will also be located on the right side-bar under the heading "Norovirus Sydney 2012", for future reference.]
9 January 2013
A scientific paper published in Eurosurveillance on January 3 described a new variant of norovirus (genotype G11 – 4) called Sydney 2012.
As part of its surveillance for norovirus the Health Protection Agency (HPA) carries out genetic testing of norovirus strains from cases in England and Wales.
Testing carried out when cases started to rise in October revealed a cocktail of different strains that were circulating including Sydney 2012 and another called New Orleans 2009, although no one strain was dominant.
The latest testing of the most recent outbreaks, completed this week, has now shown that Sydney 2012 has overtaken all others to become the dominant strain.
Syndey 2012 was first seen in Australia (and takes its name from the place it was first identified) and has also been seen in France, New Zealand and Japan.
This new strain does not cause more serious illness than others and the methods of managing cases and outbreaks are the same for any strain of norovirus. These measures include washing the hands thoroughly and regularly particularly after using the toilet and before eating.
Dr David Brown, Director of Virology Reference Department at the HPA said, “It is always difficult to predict the norovirus season and this year is no different.
“Noroviruses mutate rapidly and new strains are constantly emerging. At the start of the season it is normal for outbreaks to be caused by a range of different strains. However as the season progresses particular strains are more successful and become dominant. The emergence of a new strain does not mean that it causes more serious illness and managing outbreaks and those will the illness remains the same.
“There is no specific treatment for norovirus infection other than to let the illness take its course, with symptoms usually lasting around two days. Keeping hydrated is very important and you can take over-the-counter medicines to relieve headaches and aches and pains.”
ENDS
2. The Eurosurveillance paper can be found on their website: http://eurosurveillance.org/Default.aspx
3. The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. In April 2013, subject to the usual approvals procedures for establishing new bodies, the Health Protection Agency will become part of a new organisation called Public Health England, an executive agency of the Department of Health. To find out more, visit our website: http://www.hpa.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @HPAuk or ‘Like’ us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthProtectionAgency
4. For more information please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 0208 327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk. Out of hours the duty press officer can be contacted on 0208 200 4400.
9 January 2013
A scientific paper published in Eurosurveillance on January 3 described a new variant of norovirus (genotype G11 – 4) called Sydney 2012.
As part of its surveillance for norovirus the Health Protection Agency (HPA) carries out genetic testing of norovirus strains from cases in England and Wales.
Testing carried out when cases started to rise in October revealed a cocktail of different strains that were circulating including Sydney 2012 and another called New Orleans 2009, although no one strain was dominant.
The latest testing of the most recent outbreaks, completed this week, has now shown that Sydney 2012 has overtaken all others to become the dominant strain.
Syndey 2012 was first seen in Australia (and takes its name from the place it was first identified) and has also been seen in France, New Zealand and Japan.
This new strain does not cause more serious illness than others and the methods of managing cases and outbreaks are the same for any strain of norovirus. These measures include washing the hands thoroughly and regularly particularly after using the toilet and before eating.
Dr David Brown, Director of Virology Reference Department at the HPA said, “It is always difficult to predict the norovirus season and this year is no different.
“Noroviruses mutate rapidly and new strains are constantly emerging. At the start of the season it is normal for outbreaks to be caused by a range of different strains. However as the season progresses particular strains are more successful and become dominant. The emergence of a new strain does not mean that it causes more serious illness and managing outbreaks and those will the illness remains the same.
“There is no specific treatment for norovirus infection other than to let the illness take its course, with symptoms usually lasting around two days. Keeping hydrated is very important and you can take over-the-counter medicines to relieve headaches and aches and pains.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. The latest norovirus report can be found here: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/12871439317772. The Eurosurveillance paper can be found on their website: http://eurosurveillance.org/Default.aspx
3. The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. In April 2013, subject to the usual approvals procedures for establishing new bodies, the Health Protection Agency will become part of a new organisation called Public Health England, an executive agency of the Department of Health. To find out more, visit our website: http://www.hpa.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @HPAuk or ‘Like’ us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthProtectionAgency
4. For more information please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 0208 327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk. Out of hours the duty press officer can be contacted on 0208 200 4400.
Last reviewed: 8 January 2013
New strain of norovirus spreads around the world
In addition to this year's Seasonal Flu, we also have this Norovirus circulation. That's a double whammy.
January 09, 2013
A new strain of the winter vomiting disease norovirus has spread to France, New Zealand and Japan from Australia and is overtaking all others to become the dominant strain in Britain, health officials said on Wednesday.
The norovirus variant, known as Sydney 2012, was identified in a scientific paper last week and Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said genetic testing showed it was now causing more cases in England and Wales than other strains.
Sydney 2012 does not carry worse symptoms than others but, like other norovirus strains, it can cause violent and projectile vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes fevers, headaches and stomach cramps.
Norovirus cases have risen earlier than expected this winter in Britain, across Europe, Japan and other parts of the world.
January 09, 2013
A new strain of the winter vomiting disease norovirus has spread to France, New Zealand and Japan from Australia and is overtaking all others to become the dominant strain in Britain, health officials said on Wednesday.
The norovirus variant, known as Sydney 2012, was identified in a scientific paper last week and Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said genetic testing showed it was now causing more cases in England and Wales than other strains.
Sydney 2012 does not carry worse symptoms than others but, like other norovirus strains, it can cause violent and projectile vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes fevers, headaches and stomach cramps.
Norovirus cases have risen earlier than expected this winter in Britain, across Europe, Japan and other parts of the world.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Seasonal Flu: Indiana flu deaths this season have risen to 10
Jan 9, 2013
Excerpt:
The number of Indiana flu deaths this season has risen to 10, up from seven at this time last week.
A weekly health department report says eight of those who died were older than 50 and two were under 18.
Health officials reported four influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities, but didn't say whether any deaths occurred there.
Full Article: http://www.indystar.com/viewart/20130109/LIFE02/130109036/Indiana-flu-deaths-season-risen-10
Excerpt:
The number of Indiana flu deaths this season has risen to 10, up from seven at this time last week.
A weekly health department report says eight of those who died were older than 50 and two were under 18.
Health officials reported four influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities, but didn't say whether any deaths occurred there.
Full Article: http://www.indystar.com/viewart/20130109/LIFE02/130109036/Indiana-flu-deaths-season-risen-10
H7N3 poultry outbreaks return to Mexico
Back in July, there were several articles posted here at this blog, regarding H7N3 in Mexico. They can be found here: H7N3 in Human Post Clarification, Mexico to vaccinate 1 Millions Chickens Against Bird Flu, Mexico Bird Flu Contained to 10 Farms, H7N3 in Texas...A While Back, H7N3 Mexico
This is reported today by CIDRAP:
Officials culled almost 300,000 poultry after highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza killed 740 birds on one layer farm and the virus was detected on another farm in the area, according to a report today from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Both farms are in Aguascalientes state in central Mexico. The outbreaks are Mexico's first since a series of H7N3 outbreaks led to the culling of millions of poultry last summer in the adjacent state of Jalisco and caused egg prices to soar. In the current outbreaks, "Timely notification from the farmer and surveillance activities allowed immediate depopulation of the two affected production units, reason why both outbreaks identified are closed," the OIE report said. The first outbreak involved 2,990 sick and 740 dead poultry and led to the culling of the remaining 146,755 birds on the farm. The second outbreak was detected during active surveillance by the state and involved the culling of 138,000 additional birds. In sum, 284,015 poultry were culled. Workers have decontaminated both farms.
Jan 9 OIE report
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jan0913fluscan.html
This is reported today by CIDRAP:
Officials culled almost 300,000 poultry after highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza killed 740 birds on one layer farm and the virus was detected on another farm in the area, according to a report today from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Both farms are in Aguascalientes state in central Mexico. The outbreaks are Mexico's first since a series of H7N3 outbreaks led to the culling of millions of poultry last summer in the adjacent state of Jalisco and caused egg prices to soar. In the current outbreaks, "Timely notification from the farmer and surveillance activities allowed immediate depopulation of the two affected production units, reason why both outbreaks identified are closed," the OIE report said. The first outbreak involved 2,990 sick and 740 dead poultry and led to the culling of the remaining 146,755 birds on the farm. The second outbreak was detected during active surveillance by the state and involved the culling of 138,000 additional birds. In sum, 284,015 poultry were culled. Workers have decontaminated both farms.
Jan 9 OIE report
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jan0913fluscan.html
H5N1 found in 20% of environmental samples from Cambodian bird markets
CIDRAP:
About 20% of environmental samples from Cambodian live-poultry markets were positive for H5N1 avian flu in a recent study, according to a report yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Cambodian researchers collected samples for 7 weeks in 2011 from poultry cages or stalls housing chickens and ducks at four live-poultry markets. Two of the markets were in Phnom Penh, one in Takeo province, and one in Kampong Cham—all in south-central Cambodia. Of the 502 environmental samples tested, 90 (18%) were H5N1-positive by polymerase chain reaction, and 10 (2%) by virus isolation, with water samples yielding the highest rates of positive findings. The researchers write that environmental sampling of these markets would better detect H5N1 than the current method of using cloacal or throat swabs, which they say rarely detects the virus.
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jan0913fluscan.html
About 20% of environmental samples from Cambodian live-poultry markets were positive for H5N1 avian flu in a recent study, according to a report yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Cambodian researchers collected samples for 7 weeks in 2011 from poultry cages or stalls housing chickens and ducks at four live-poultry markets. Two of the markets were in Phnom Penh, one in Takeo province, and one in Kampong Cham—all in south-central Cambodia. Of the 502 environmental samples tested, 90 (18%) were H5N1-positive by polymerase chain reaction, and 10 (2%) by virus isolation, with water samples yielding the highest rates of positive findings. The researchers write that environmental sampling of these markets would better detect H5N1 than the current method of using cloacal or throat swabs, which they say rarely detects the virus.
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jan0913fluscan.html
18 flu deaths reported across Massachusetts this season
Excerpt:
Cranston said most of the deaths have been in older patients.
"We’ve seen 18 deaths reported to us so far this season associated to influenza-like illness overwhelmingly amongst older individuals, which is not atypical," he said.
Anita Barry, the Director of the Infectious Disease Bureau for the Boston Health Department, said so far this year, there has been 10 times as many flu cases reported versus the number of cases recorded for all of last year.
Cranston said most of the deaths have been in older patients.
"We’ve seen 18 deaths reported to us so far this season associated to influenza-like illness overwhelmingly amongst older individuals, which is not atypical," he said.
Anita Barry, the Director of the Infectious Disease Bureau for the Boston Health Department, said so far this year, there has been 10 times as many flu cases reported versus the number of cases recorded for all of last year.
Seasonal Flu: Flu influx causes Chicago hospitals to turn away patients
Editing is mine
January 8, 2013
Excerpt:
CBS Chicago reports that some local hospitals are turning away emergency room patients because they are flooded with patients who come in sickened by influenza.
The station reports University of Chicago, Northwestern and Swedish Covenant were among eight Chicago area hospitals directing ambulances elsewhere because they were treating so many patients with the flu. Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., lifted its ambulance bypass order at 9 p.m. on Monday.
"We aren't seeing very sick people. We're just seeing more sick people," Mary Alice Lavin, director of infection, prevention and control with Rush University Medical Center, told CBS Chicago. "The viruses that were included in the vaccine this year are the ones that are circulating this year but studies have shown that the vaccine is only effective in 60 percent of people."
-snip-
In Illinois alone, 147 people have been admitted to intensive care units at hospitals, six of whom have died, Illinois Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck told CBS Chicago.
Full Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57562846/flu-influx-causes-chicago-hospitals-to-turn-away-patients/
January 8, 2013
Excerpt:
CBS Chicago reports that some local hospitals are turning away emergency room patients because they are flooded with patients who come in sickened by influenza.
The station reports University of Chicago, Northwestern and Swedish Covenant were among eight Chicago area hospitals directing ambulances elsewhere because they were treating so many patients with the flu. Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., lifted its ambulance bypass order at 9 p.m. on Monday.
"We aren't seeing very sick people. We're just seeing more sick people," Mary Alice Lavin, director of infection, prevention and control with Rush University Medical Center, told CBS Chicago. "The viruses that were included in the vaccine this year are the ones that are circulating this year but studies have shown that the vaccine is only effective in 60 percent of people."
-snip-
In Illinois alone, 147 people have been admitted to intensive care units at hospitals, six of whom have died, Illinois Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck told CBS Chicago.
Full Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57562846/flu-influx-causes-chicago-hospitals-to-turn-away-patients/
Seasonal Flu: Flu Surge Leads To Boston Public Health Emergency
January 9, 2013
Surging influenza infections has led Boston to declare a public health emergency Wednesday. Massachusetts has reported 18 flu-related deaths so far.
-snip-
Frederica Williams, president of the Whittier Street Health Center in Boston's inner-city Roxbury neighborhood, said her facility had opened a special flu clinic and was using social media and sending letters to residents urging them to come in and get flu shots.
"We serve a vulnerable population that is at risk for all kinds of health issues, so we put out a broadcast to our patients even before the mayor made the (emergency) announcement because we saw an increase in the number of people coming to our clinic for services."
-snip-
Baystate Health, which operates Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and two other hospitals in western Massachusetts, announced Wednesday that it was changing its visitor policy. The hospitals will no longer allow visitors younger than 14 and are recommending no more than two people visit a patient at one time.
"This is the worst in several years," said Dr. Sarah Haessler, an infectious disease specialist at Baystate. She said the flu outbreak has strained the hospital's resources and helped to fill its beds to capacity.
Full Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57563097/flu-surge-leads-to-boston-public-health-emergency/
Surging influenza infections has led Boston to declare a public health emergency Wednesday. Massachusetts has reported 18 flu-related deaths so far.
-snip-
Frederica Williams, president of the Whittier Street Health Center in Boston's inner-city Roxbury neighborhood, said her facility had opened a special flu clinic and was using social media and sending letters to residents urging them to come in and get flu shots.
"We serve a vulnerable population that is at risk for all kinds of health issues, so we put out a broadcast to our patients even before the mayor made the (emergency) announcement because we saw an increase in the number of people coming to our clinic for services."
-snip-
Baystate Health, which operates Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and two other hospitals in western Massachusetts, announced Wednesday that it was changing its visitor policy. The hospitals will no longer allow visitors younger than 14 and are recommending no more than two people visit a patient at one time.
"This is the worst in several years," said Dr. Sarah Haessler, an infectious disease specialist at Baystate. She said the flu outbreak has strained the hospital's resources and helped to fill its beds to capacity.
Full Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57563097/flu-surge-leads-to-boston-public-health-emergency/
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