Marilynn Marchione of the Associated Press reported last night on a series of studies which find the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus has a longer infectious period (meaning people may be contagious longer) than originally thought, longer than seasonal influenza viruses.
One study conducted by the Institute of Public Health in Quebec, Canada found that among 43 patients with lab confirmed novel H1N1 infections and dozens of family members who submitted nose and throat swabs, 19-75% still harbored the virus in their noses 8 days after symptom onset (the time when their first symptoms began). Similarly, Dr. Guillermo Ruiz-Palacios of the National Institutes of Medical Science and Nutrition reported that infected people shed the virus for more than a week after they became symptomatic. A study out of Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore illustrated that 80% of 70 study patients harbored the virus 5 days after symptom onset, 40% harbored the virus 7 days after symptom onset, and some harbored the virus as long as 16 days after symptom onset. Factors such as length of time from symptom onset to initiation of treatment with Tamiflu and underlying medical conditions, including obesity, may influence the length of time a person harbors the virus.
While this new information may have implications for public health recommendations, there is still some uncertainty about how long the infectious period may last because even though people harbor the virus in their noses, they still may not shed enough virus to infect others. An important take home message from the results of these studies - wash your hands and practice good hygiene (cover your coughs/sneezes).
The entire Associated Press article can be viewed at: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/695679
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Unanticipated effectiveness of single dose of pan flu vaccine may bode well for developing countries
According to an article recently released by Bloomberg.com, results from pandemic influenza vaccine trails coming out of Australia and the United States found the receipt of a single, unadjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine to be effective (conferring protective antibody response). Australian-based manufacturing company CLS Ltd. reported that more than 95% of study patients had protective levels of antibodies 3 weeks after vaccination, while a U.S. study found a single vaccination to be effective within 8-10 days. No serious side effects were reported, though trails are too small to detect rare conditions. According to U.S. officials, potential adverse vaccine reactions will be closely monitored once vaccination campaigns begin.
An effective single dose of pan flu vaccine has implications for developing countries, as these findings may double anticipated stockpiles of vaccine and render more vaccine available in developing countries.
CSL Ltd. said it plans to donate its vaccine to developing nations in Asia and the South Pacific. The company is also discussing a pilot program with the World Health Organization, for which an initial donation of 100,000 vaccine doses would be made. Nancy Cox, director of the influenza division at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the U.S. is in “very active discussions” about donating some of its supply to countries in need.
View the entire Bloomberg article at:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=asYlPo7IOFqw
An effective single dose of pan flu vaccine has implications for developing countries, as these findings may double anticipated stockpiles of vaccine and render more vaccine available in developing countries.
CSL Ltd. said it plans to donate its vaccine to developing nations in Asia and the South Pacific. The company is also discussing a pilot program with the World Health Organization, for which an initial donation of 100,000 vaccine doses would be made. Nancy Cox, director of the influenza division at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the U.S. is in “very active discussions” about donating some of its supply to countries in need.
View the entire Bloomberg article at:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=asYlPo7IOFqw
Saturday, September 12, 2009
WHO provides advice on measures that can be taken in school settings in light of the current influenza pandemic (H1N1)
WHO has issued advice on measures that can be undertaken in schools to reduce the impact of the H1N1 influenza pandemic. Recommendations draw on recent experiences in several countries as well as studies of the health, economic, and social consequences of school closures. These studies were undertaken by members of a WHO informal network for mathematical modeling of the pandemic.
Experience to date has demonstrated the role of schools in amplifying transmission of the pandemic virus, both within schools and into the wider community. While outbreaks in schools are clearly an important dimension of the current pandemic, no single measure can stop or limit transmission in schools, which provide multiple opportunities for spread of the virus.
WHO recommends the use of a range of measures that can be adapted to the local epidemiological situation, available resources, and the social role played by many schools. National and local authorities are in the best position to make decisions about these measures and how they should be adapted and implemented.
WHO continues to recommend that students, teachers, and other staff who feel unwell should stay home. Plans should be in place, and space made available, to isolate students and staff who become ill while at school.
Schools should promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and be stocked with appropriate supplies. Proper cleaning and ventilation and measures to reduce crowding are also advised.
Detailed information on school closures, class suspensions, and economic and social costs of such interventions can be viewed at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_school_measures_20090911/en/index.html
Experience to date has demonstrated the role of schools in amplifying transmission of the pandemic virus, both within schools and into the wider community. While outbreaks in schools are clearly an important dimension of the current pandemic, no single measure can stop or limit transmission in schools, which provide multiple opportunities for spread of the virus.
WHO recommends the use of a range of measures that can be adapted to the local epidemiological situation, available resources, and the social role played by many schools. National and local authorities are in the best position to make decisions about these measures and how they should be adapted and implemented.
WHO continues to recommend that students, teachers, and other staff who feel unwell should stay home. Plans should be in place, and space made available, to isolate students and staff who become ill while at school.
Schools should promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and be stocked with appropriate supplies. Proper cleaning and ventilation and measures to reduce crowding are also advised.
Detailed information on school closures, class suspensions, and economic and social costs of such interventions can be viewed at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_school_measures_20090911/en/index.html
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
H1N1 Virus May Have Biological Advantage Over Seasonal Influenza Viruses
A recent study in ferrets had some interesting learnings for the novel H1N1 virus and seasonal flu viruses,
"Preliminary findings in ferrets suggest that the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may outcompete human seasonal influenza viruses, researchers say. Tests in animals showed that levels of the 2009 H1N1 virus rose more quickly than levels of the seasonal virus strains, and the new virus caused more severe disease. In line with previous findings by other research groups, the University of Maryland researchers also observed that the novel H1N1 virus was transmitted more easily from infected to uninfected ferrets than either of the two seasonal influenza viruses.
The researchers found no evidence that the 2009 H1N1 virus combined with either of two seasonal flu viruses to form new, so-called reassortant viruses. These findings suggest that while 2009 H1N1 virus probably will predominate in the coming flu season, there may not be biological pressure for the new virus to re-combine with other circulating viruses, the researchers say."
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/aug2009/niaid-31.htm
"Preliminary findings in ferrets suggest that the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may outcompete human seasonal influenza viruses, researchers say. Tests in animals showed that levels of the 2009 H1N1 virus rose more quickly than levels of the seasonal virus strains, and the new virus caused more severe disease. In line with previous findings by other research groups, the University of Maryland researchers also observed that the novel H1N1 virus was transmitted more easily from infected to uninfected ferrets than either of the two seasonal influenza viruses.
The researchers found no evidence that the 2009 H1N1 virus combined with either of two seasonal flu viruses to form new, so-called reassortant viruses. These findings suggest that while 2009 H1N1 virus probably will predominate in the coming flu season, there may not be biological pressure for the new virus to re-combine with other circulating viruses, the researchers say."
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/aug2009/niaid-31.htm
Convergence of diseases in Papua New Guinea?
Preliminary reports out of Papua New Guinea suggest that 47 people have died and 2,000 have become ill from what seems to possibly be simultaneous outbreaks of influnenza like illness and dysentery. When don't know whether of not this is novel H1N1, but it's an important reminder that influenza outbreaks can really have substantial impact on areas with already fragile health systems.
"TWIN outbreaks of a mystery flu and dysentery in a remote region of Papua New Guinea have killed 47 people and infected another 2,000 villagers, a senior medical official said on Monday.
And a separate eruption of cholera in the Pacific island nation has killed seven adults and sickened 73 other people, provincial health adviser Theo Likei told AFP.
Twenty-seven villagers in the Menyamya district of Morobe province, on the northeast coast, have died from an as-yet unidentified influenza since August 3, while a further 20 were felled by dysentery.
'Roughly 2,000 people are sick in about 12 villages and we suspect influenza and dysentery are the cause,' Mr Likei told AFP.
'So far there have been about 47 deaths, about 90 per cent of them in the village of Akwanda,' where 95 per cent of the reported flu and dysentery infections were reported."
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_423655.html
"TWIN outbreaks of a mystery flu and dysentery in a remote region of Papua New Guinea have killed 47 people and infected another 2,000 villagers, a senior medical official said on Monday.
And a separate eruption of cholera in the Pacific island nation has killed seven adults and sickened 73 other people, provincial health adviser Theo Likei told AFP.
Twenty-seven villagers in the Menyamya district of Morobe province, on the northeast coast, have died from an as-yet unidentified influenza since August 3, while a further 20 were felled by dysentery.
'Roughly 2,000 people are sick in about 12 villages and we suspect influenza and dysentery are the cause,' Mr Likei told AFP.
'So far there have been about 47 deaths, about 90 per cent of them in the village of Akwanda,' where 95 per cent of the reported flu and dysentery infections were reported."
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_423655.html
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