News Reports for January 30, 2010

Swine flu: Global death toll rises to 14,711, says WHO

Geneva: The death toll from the swine flu pandemic has risen to at least 14,711, up 569 from a week ago, (Snip)
WHO said the spread of the A(H1N1) virus peaked in most of the northern hemisphere in October and November, but transmission was still active in parts of North Africa, eastern and southeastern Europe and south and east Asia. In north Africa, WHO said data suggested swine flu transmission was still "active and geographically widespread", particularly in Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Egypt. WHO added that the virus appeared to have peaked in north Africa in December or January.

Several European countries, -- Austria, Albania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Russia -- reported "slight increases" in cases of flu and respiratory illnesses, (Snip)
The worst affected region has been the Americas, with at least 7,166 deaths from A(H1N1), while Europe has recorded at least 3,429 fatalities. http://www.zeenews.com/news600...

(Note: Following the flu news everyday tells me this (low) official number of deaths reported by WHO is a huge joke!!)

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 23:35:11 PM CST

4 city hospitals get notice for not reporting swine flu cases

Surat, India: For showing negligence in reporting suspected swine flu cases, show causes notices have been slapped on four private hospitals in the city. The hospitals have been strictly warned of legal action under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code if found guilty of the act again.

Epidemic control medical officer Dr Piyush Shah told TOI, "We issued notices to Ayush Hospital, Sanjivani Hospital both at Laldarwaja area, Apple Hospital of Udhna Darwaja and Girish Group of Hospitals located at Majura Gate area." (Snip)

"One of the patients receiving treatment at Girish Group of Hospital is in serious condition and on ventilator. We will not tolerate such negligence on part of private medical care experts again," (Snip) of the three suspected swine flu patients referred to New Civil Hospital, two were diagnosed positive on Friday evening taking the total number of positive patients to 137. The city has seen 23 deaths due to the pandemic till now. http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 23:41:34 PM CST

Spike In US Pneumonia and Influenza Deaths

Recombinomics Commentary

The CDC Week 3 influenza report has been released and once again there were no reported cases of seasonal influenza A.  2 cases of influenza B were reported and the vast majority of cases (98%) were pandemic H1N1, indicating seasonal influenza A has been crowded out in the US. The frequency of influenza detection has risen slightly and is at the highest level since week 50, signaling the end of the fall wave and the beginning of a winter wave. (Snip) although the detection rate rose slightly, the P&I deaths spiked higher and are now well above the epidemic threshold and as high as it has been since the peak of the 2008/2009 season.

This dramatic jump in deaths raises concerns that the current H1N1 is more virulent and lethal than the H1N1 circulating in the fall. The early appearance of that virus dramatically increased the P&I, which then declined as the H1N1 levels declined.  However, the current jump is well ahead of such a corresponding jump in H1N1, which would support a more lethal H1N1.

Recent reports from Tennessee have described a higher frequency of children with H1N1 entering the ICU as well as a higher percentage dying. These results are early, but mimic the increase in case fatality rate in eastern Ukraine in association with the release of sequences from Oct/Nov which had a strong association of D225G/N with fatal cases, who had significant lung damage.

The low number of positives in the US may reflect a sampling problem. Most tested samples have been from hospitalized patients, but the fatal and severe cases frequently are associated with a rapid movement of virus to the lungs and a high false negative rate.  A high false negative rate would keep lab confirmed cases artificially low and preclude aggressive antiviral treatment. (Snip) the increase in H274Y may also impact treatments involving Tamiflu. (Snip) http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 23:53:43 PM CST

Australia: Professor slams downplay of swine flu

An infectious diseases expert is slamming fellow medicos who downplay the swine flu, saying they threaten to scuttle the world's first opportunity to control a pandemic virus. Sceptical medical experts should share some blame for the sluggish public take-up of the now widely available swine flu vaccine, says University of Sydney Professor Robert Booy.

"Questioning of the value of H1N1 2009 vaccines by experts from different fields has undoubtedly been done in good faith," says Booy, who is also a paediatrician at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. "But (it) may well also have sounded the death knell for what would otherwise have been - for the first time in history - the eminently achievable control of a pandemic virus."

Booy says a widespread take-up of the swine flu vaccine in Australia and across the globe would ensure "dramatic reductions in transmission, disease and deaths" from the virus. Yet, he says, reports indicated that only 10-20 per cent of the Australian population had received a swine flu vaccine. The rapid and widespread transmission of the virus ensured about another 20 per cent of people would be immune to it because of previous exposure.

Booy said this did not amount to "enough population-wide protection to prevent the next wave, particularly in high-risk settings like schools and kindergartens". And while the virus had proven to be "innocuous" for the majority who became infected it would continue to pose "severe" health risks for some. Continued: http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/...


Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 00:02:38 AM CST

Indonesia: South Lampung residents worry as chickens die en masse

http://www.thejakartapost.com/...

Residents in South Lampung are panicking following the sudden deaths of thousands of chickens owned by poultry company PT Central Avian Pertiwi, despite the birds having been previously cleared of avian flu.

However, after samples were re-tested at the Lampung Livestock and Animal Husbandry Agency lab, they were tested positive for H5N1. (snip)

A resident in Merakbelantung village, Kalianda, South Lampung, Sobirin, 38, whose house is near the poultry farm, said the chickens had died suddenly over the past four days.

"Thousands of chickens are dying daily. We are obviously worried, especially after being informed that the chickens died after being infected by the bird flu virus," he said. (snip)

In East Lampung regency, the H5N1 virus has spread to a number of districts, such as Sukadana, Purbolinggo, Marga Tiga and Labuhan Ratu. (snip) More than 1,000 chickens have abruptly died of the virus in East Lampung as of Friday. (snip)

Separately in Sukabumi, West Java, around 300 chickens that suddenly died in Cibadak district were confirmed to have been infected with the H5N1 virus, Antara reported.

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 00:42:10 AM CST

AlohaOR, I'm also putting this story in the Poultry Diary. n/t

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:30:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Oops, sorry. You already did it. Thanks! n/t

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:31:54 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You've trained me well ;) (n/t)

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 11:37:08 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Vietnam: Acute diarrhoea reported in An Giang

Forty-five people have been hospitalised for acute diarrhoea in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, of whom seven tested positive for bacteria Vibrio cholera.
(Snip) all seven positive cases come from the Cambodian provinces of Takeo and Kandal. On knowing that they had been infected with acute diarrhoea, they travelled to An Giang for treatment. They are all being treated at An Giang's An Phu District Hospital, (Snip)

The department has asked local medical centres to keep a close watch on these patients, contain the first outbreak and enhance the dissemination of information to help residents protect themselves from infection.

Mr Nga also said bird flu has recurred in five communes in the central province of Ha Tinh. A number of local people in affected areas had contact with sick and dead birds and showed symptoms of pneumonia.  Provincial doctors and veterinarians were dispatched to detect suspected cases in humans early, quarantine them from the outbreak, and instruct local residents about preventive measures.

The Ministry of Health has warned that flu viruses are expected to emerge in the winter and spring, especially during the upcoming lunar New Year festival. http://english.vovnews.vn/Home...  

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 06:46:54 AM CST

This area is near the Chinese border.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 07:19:03 AM CST

[ Parent ]

An Giang is in the south of Vietnam

An Giang is a province next to Cambodia with the Mekong River flowing through it. It is in the Mekong Delta, about 1000 miles south (by road) from Hanoi, which itself is well south of the Chinese border.  

---

by: INFOMASS @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 21:05:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Thank you INFOMASS

Your corrections on the locations of An Giang and Quang Ninh are much appreciated. I didn't get either of them right even by looking them up on a map. LOL

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 23:26:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Vietnam: One more A/H1N1 fatality confirmed in Quang Ninh

The Ministry of Health on January 29 confirmed one more victim of the A/H1N1 influenza in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, raising the death toll from the disease in the country to 57. The latest victim was a 31-year-old man, who was diagnosed with HIV infection in March 2003. He has been treated with anti-viral tablets since last April.

The patient showed symptoms of high fever, cough, breathing difficulties and pneumonia on January 15. Seven days later, his samples tested positive for the A/H1N1 virus. On January 24, the patient died. Continued: http://english.vovnews.vn/Home...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 07:07:54 AM CST

Quang Ninh

is on the coast about 100 miles or less from Da Nang.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 07:21:14 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Quang Ninh is in the north of Vietnam

Quang Ninh is in the north of Vietnam and part of it touches the Chinese border. The "Quang" provinces just south of Danang (the central city of Vietnam) are Quang Nam and Quang Ngai. It is all very confusing.  

---

by: INFOMASS @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 21:09:03 PM CST

[ Parent ]

India: Bird flu alert in Balasore

BALASORE: The outbreak of bird flu in Murshidabad district of neighbouring West Bengal has spread panic among the poultry farmers in Balasore district. While the border villages in Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been put on alert, Chief District Veterinary Officers (CDVOs) of both the districts have been asked to inspect chicken farms and hatcheries. Alert has been sounded in 120 villages in both the districts and local elected representatives have been asked to inform the veterinary officials in case of death of birds due to any disease.

Even as officials claim no incidence of bird flu has been reported in the State so far, the Animal Husbandry Department has started inspecting farms in both the districts. The firm owners have been asked to vaccinate the birds and the veterinary officials have started vaccination in some areas. Altogether 20 teams have been formed for the purpose. ''We have collected 125 blood samples and 80 swab samples of chickens. In the first phase no virus has been found in about 40 test reports. (Snip) If they suspect flu virus in birds, the owners will be instructed to kill the whole lot in the hatchery,'' he added.

Veterinary department sources said bird flu spreads through air and the government cannot take any risk. (Snip) The areas put on alert include Kuliana, Rasagobindapur, Sarasakana, Morada in Mayurbhanj and Jaleswar and Bhogarai in Balasore,'' (Snip) Continued: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edi...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 07:36:17 AM CST

Study identifies key demographic and psychological factors that predict protective behaviour during pandemics

A study that looked at how people behave during pandemics has identified key demographic and psychological factors that may predict protective behaviours. The study is published online today, 30th January 2010, in the British Journal of Health Psychology.

Full article here: http://www.news-medical.net/ne...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 07:39:22 AM CST

Their second point: trust in authorities makes a difference

Having a high level of trust in authorities was found to be associated with compliance with preventative, avoidant and management of illness behaviours. Dr Bish explains: "As trust is a key emotion relevant to risk behaviour, people who trust in authorities are more likely to follow their advice. The issue of trust becomes weightier in uncertain situations, making this an important factor in whether people follow government advice during pandemics."

An up-hill battle?  The authorities have to show that it's the welfare of the people that comes first.  In a pandemic, they can't look as if they are bending the truth to protect other interests (profits, re-election, CYA?).  In a more virulent pandemic, they'll have to overcome the cynicism that has developed, in order to get people to protect themselves.


"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

---

by: Jane @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:04:27 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I got the impression here in the UK

that people were ready to do a lot more to prevent infection. While not absorbed by flu news they did keep an eye out for how bad it was. Once they decided it wasn't going to be be bad, they largely forgot all about it. During the first month of the outbreak, people were very much more careful.

The Times, The Telegraph and the BBC all did a reasonable job of hitting the right tone - not too senastionalist and not too casual.

There are always idiots that go to one extreme or the other and the claims that the bug was overhyped are inevitable. However I think most people do realise that pandemics are dangerous.

I was pleasantly surprised.

---

by: UK - Bird @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 11:10:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

India: H1N1 The story of a vaccine

Over A 100 scientists are working round the clock at the Pune-based Serum Institute of India Limited to develop an indigenous vaccine to tackle the growth of H1N1 virus.

It is expected that the vaccine will be available in the country by April.

The Phase-I of human trials began from January 16.

Dr R M Dhere, Senior Director of the institute, said it is too early to quote a price for the vaccine, but he assured that it will not be "expensive".

With the number of H1N1 cases in the country increasing, the need for a vaccine was pressing. It usually takes around five years to develop a vaccine. Hence the authorities responded with "administrative shortcuts to get the vaccine at the earliest," said Dr Surinder Singh, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
"The companies were instantly given permission for Phase-I to Phase-III."

The scientists, too, took up the task as a challenge.

"Initially, there were 15 people on the job," said Dr Dhere. But the project was taken up on a war footing and "100 scientists were put in this job," he said.
Four bodies are in the race to develop the vaccine. Apart from the Serum Institute, the other three are private companies - Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila and Panacea Biotech. All of them are developing the vaccine and have reached the testing phase.

"This development is a big step towards strengthening India's readiness to combat the virus," said Pankaj Patel, Chairman and Managing Director of Zydus Cadila.

VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

According to Dr Dhere, study of the avian flu virus had been a big help in developing the H1N1 vaccine. The experts had been working on a vaccine for the avain flu as well.

The process of developing the vaccine for H1N1 virus started in June 2009, after the World Health Organization (WHO) provided the seed virus to the Serum Institute .

"Developing a vaccine requires a proper selection of antigen. In this case, the swine flu virus was grown on a large scale," said Dr Dhere.

The seed virus was prepared in the laboratory by taking out the most prevalent strain which is immunogenic. The seed virus was injected in nine-day old fertilised chicken eggs. It took the virus three weeks to lose its virulence.

The antigen that developed in the egg white were then separated and purified and its strength (titre value) fixed.
MORE AT:
http://www.indianexpress.com/n...

---

by: Mr White42 @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 09:47:05 AM CST

Genetic component to severity of illness

1. December 2008 18:35
People with certain high risk gene combinations* are eight times more likely to suffer from a severe and prolonged illness when they have an infection, according to <<>> researchers.

This group of people is significantly more likely to have an intense illness during the acute stage of an infection - when fever, aches and pain strike - to signal the start of the body's immune response.

Conversely, the researchers found some people had a gene combination which made them particularly hardy, with a less severe illness. [snip]

*The research focused on five cytokine genetic variants. Cytokines are protein hormone messengers of the immune system which defend against infection.

http://www.news-medical.net/ne...

This is from 2008, but I don't remember seeing it.  Would it be expensive to test everyone to find out who needs watching closely?  All the flu deaths among those with no underlying conditions might be reduced in a future pandemic.

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

---

by: Jane @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:10:04 AM CST

Expensive, yes

Of course it would be expensive - it would be expensive to test everyone for anything.

---

by: Clawdia @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:16:33 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Egypt pig-cull increasingly viewed as gross mistake

Cairo's streets pose health hazards after Egyptian government's overreaction to swine flu fears.

CAIRO - The Egyptian government's decision to cull all of the country's 300,000 pigs in May 2009 is increasingly being viewed by experts and officials as a gross mistake as piles of organic waste the pigs once ate accumulate in Cairo's streets, posing serious health hazards.

The month-long cull was ostensibly to stem the spread of H1N1 influenza, but the government later said it was simply a general health measure.

The cull hit the livelihoods of 70,000 former pig farmers and unofficial rubbish collectors and their families in the Cairo area, according to local NGO Association for the Protection of the Environment.

During a recent stormy session of parliament, Cairo Governor Abdelazeem Wazeer called the decision to cull the pigs a "mistake" and legislator Hamdy el-Sayed, chairman of the Doctors' Association, called it a "national scandal".

"Our streets are overcome by waste. This is catastrophic," he said.

continued
http://www.middle-east-online....

United we stand: Divided we fall

http://cottontopssandbox.wordp...

---

by: cottontop @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:19:24 AM CST

West Java: Bird Flu Positive, Hundreds Dead in Sukabumi Chicken sudden

Bird Flu Positive, Hundreds Dead in Sukabumi Chicken sudden
Friday, January 29, 2010 | 17:55 pm | Post by

Bird Flu Positive, Hundreds Dead in Sukabumi Chicken sudden
Friday, January 29, 2010 | 17:55 pm | Post by: Sugeng Wibowo | Category: Latest News, Jabar & Banten | ShareThis
SUKABUMI | SOLAR Online - Hundreds of chickens died suddenly at two of the RW 05 and RW Anggayuda Village 11, Village Pamuyuran, Cibadak District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java (Jabar).

"After a quick test (rapid test) to show dead chickens, chickens that died suddenly due to the bird flu virus. This rapid test confidence level to 70 percent, "said Kabid Animal Health and Veterinary Public Kurnadi dr Asep after doing the chicken blood sampling, Friday (29/1/2010).

, Stated positive contracted the virus H5N1 or bird flu.

However, more dr Asep, it still took the chicken's blood sample to be tested in the laboratory in Bandung, to know more precisely whether the dead chicken was 100 per cent since the bird flu virus or not.

To anticipate the spread of the virus, he said, the chicken is still alive will be quarantined and given vitamins to increase body immunity.

"If there are people who find sick chickens, they should report it to the village and bury or burn it directly. The spread of this virus very quickly, so the people who raise chickens must always be vigilant and cleaning chicken coops with disinfectant, "said dr Asep.

Meanwhile, Chairman of RW 05 Desa Mintarsih Mimi Pamuyuran mention, an event like this has lasted for a week.

"Until now, the chickens died suddenly reached 300 in the tail of RW 05 and RW 12. At first, we did not know there was a chicken that died suddenly, but over time a sudden dead chicken that number continues to grow, "he said.

According to Mimi, the people around often find chicken carcass to rot, because before dying chickens showed no symptoms of illness and immediately die suddenly.

"We fear the spread of bird flu affecting chickens owned by residents continue to occur, so that residents not to mengkandangkan chickens infected by disease," he said.

One of the locals, Science, say, some people bury the dead chickens for fear of disease affecting chickens died suddenly this spread to other chickens.

While this time, he added, residents secured only his chickens are still alive and providing disinfectant to prevent the sudden death of chicken back it.

"I do not know why the chickens died suddenly. However, the demise of dozens of residents suspected of chickens because of bird flu, "Science said as he claimed his 30 chickens died too.

ant

google translated
orginal source

http://www.surya.co.id/2010/01...

United we stand: Divided we fall

http://cottontopssandbox.wordp...

---

by: cottontop @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:26:08 AM CST

KS: Third wave of H1N1 flu likely approaching

http://www.abilene-rc.com/inde...

Experts at Fort Riley have used information from what they have seen previously to predict a peak of seasonal influenza in the second half of February.  Another expectation is that the third wave of the pandemic H1N1 influenza is likely to occur at the same time as the seasonal influenza peak.

The trend in recent weeks for cases of influenza-like illness has been down, which could be attributed to more people being vaccinated and people taking better care to practice good hygiene, said Dr. (Lt. Col.) Paul Benne, chief of preventive medicine.
"Where we are now might be the calm before the storm in February. If you haven't already, please get vaccinated against both H1N1 and seasonal flu.  Encourage people you know to get vaccinated too," Benne said. (snip)

As of Jan. 2, an estimated 20 percent of the U.S. population has been vaccinated against H1N1 flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 29 percent of children ages 6 months to 18 years old had been vaccinated against H1N1, according to the same report. (snip)

The CDC tracked 46 flu-related pediatric deaths in 2005-2006 and 300 flu-related pediatric deaths so far in 2009-2010. Of the 300 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths, 255 were from 2009 H1N1, 43 were confirmed as influenza, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two deaths were associated with seasonal influenza viruses.  (continued)

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 11:51:56 AM CST

Texas: Pneumonia outbreak - unknown cause

Officials are trying to find the cause of a pneumonia outbreak at the federal prison in Big Spring. By Friday, 25 cases of an unknown type of pneumonia had been identified from an inmate population of 1,707. Initially, two inmates were diagnosed in November, according to a statement from the prison. (Snip) Those who are diagnosed with pneumonia are being housed separately for 48 hours and responding well to antibiotics, according to the statement. (Snip)visitation has not been affected. The prison is working with health officials "for further evaluation to assist in identifying the exact cause of the pneumonia." http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/w...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 14:29:46 PM CST

Marshall Islands: Public health emergency declared

In Marshall Islands, a public health emergency has been declared. This has happened following an outbreak of drug-resistant tuberculosis. The government is thinking of calling upon special powers of quarantine. In less than two months the number of people with the drug-resistant disease has risen from six to 10 in the western Pacific nation. Everyone now fears that the situation would escalate and will reach to 500. Majuro Hospital chief of staff Marie Lanwi-Paul, said, "We are in the process of doubling the bed capacity" in the TB isolation unit."(Snip) "Drug resistance poses a serious threat to our ability to treat and control TB." (Snip) Health Minister Amenta Matthew said she was in the process of forming legislation that would give power to the director of health to quarantine people who were not complying with TB prevention requirements. (Snip) It was reported that one patient was taken to the court by health authorities for failing to take treatment and remain in isolation. http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/w...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 14:37:36 PM CST

H1N1 could be making a comeback

Hat Tip: 'Tex' @ Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles... ... y/6917115/

Chapel Hill, N.C. - UNC Hospitals epidemiologist Dr. David Weber said there are signs that another wave of the H1N1 virus might be starting.

There have been two waves of the virus so far, one last spring and another in the late summer and early fall.

In the past two weeks, five patents were admitted to UNC Hospital with H1N1, Weber said. Of those patients, three required intensive care.

The H1N1 virus could dominate our traditional flu season, he said.

"Classically, for each year, we peak in North Carolina, sort of mid to late February through early March, so we haven't really reached our peak and so we're expecting another peak," he said. "It may be all H1N1 or it may be some seasonal flu mixed in as well."

Many people may think the threat is over and aren't taking advantage of the plentiful supply of H1N1 vaccine, Weber warned.

Others think that because they're healthy, with no underlying health problems, that they don't need it.

"About a third of the people who died of H1N1 are completely normal, and so even if people are healthy, they should get the vaccine," he said.

www.EmergencyHomePreparation.org -- A 'card-catalog' style of prepping information.   -

---

by: Readymom @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 20:31:37 PM CST

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for January 31, 2010

Thank you!

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 23:05:20 PM CST