News Reports for July 23, 2012

India: 4 new cases after patient dies in Kalyan (Maharashtra)

Four cases of swine flu were reported in Kalyan on Sunday, just days after the disease claimed the life of Satish Krishna Sutar, 42, on July 16. Tarnesh Devlekar, 26, Ramanand Pundit, 41, Devendra Parab, 31 and Nahum Narendra Lokhande, 28, are being treated for swine flu and are stable (Snip)

(Snip) Sutar was a resident of Galegaon in Kalyan and was admitted to Nityanand Hospital there on July 12. Suspecting he had swine flu, doctors sent his pathology reports and swab samples to a private lab for confirmation and started treatment for the disease. However, he succumbed to the infection on Tuesday.

A medical team then visited Galegaon and inspected 200 houses near Sutar's residence, giving treatment to those who had come in contact with Sutar.

The corporation has arranged for an isolation ward at the AIMS hospital in Dombivli, and stocked up on swine flu medicine, Mhaske said. Continued: http://www.hindustantimes.com/...

(Note: A medical team visiting 200 homes and giving Tamiflu to all the contacts sounds like what is done when a person is found to be positive for H5N1, not H1N1. Hmmm, JMO.)

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 05:57:16 AM UTC

Yes, I've been wondering why...

Yes, I've been wondering why they seem to be making such a big fuss over (for example) 4 people with H1N1, when there are thousands and millions living in their cities - I have yet to see a percentage figure for India flu this year... the way they respond, it does seem like they see it as dangerous - like H5N1, not H1N1 (or at least not like our variant of H1N1)

I'm glad it's kind of quiet on the flu front in general, and I wanted to say again I'm grateful to you, Carol, for monitoring it for us daily. I do check here at least once daily! And should things get "lively" again, I'll be on deck to help find stories.  

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by: Cathy M @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 14:06:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You are welcome, Cathy.

I enjoy working on Fluwiki and I want to share as much information as posiible with all that want to read it.

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 20:05:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

India: Viral infections on the rise (Karnataka)

It is that time of the year again when the city is witnessing an onslaught of viral infections. Hospitals report a rise in cases of viral flu, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory and diarrhoeal infections, thanks to the fall in temperature and intermittent rain.

While dengue has erupted in a more aggressive form, doctors say the weather is also conducive to the influenza 'A' H1N1 virus. Stray cases of malaria and chikungunya are also being reported.

Advising precautions, doctors say an estimated seven out of 10 patients suffer from these infections and most end up catching secondary infections.

Residents of an entire lane at Kullappa Colony of Jeevan Bima Nagar are down with dengue. "At least three persons in each house here have dengue and it is spreading rapidly," said Jamshed Bhai, who lives in the area and has barely recovered.

While the state-run Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital reported 46 positive cases of dengue fever since July 11, Victoria Hospital sees at least 10 suspected dengue cases every day. Despite three dengue deaths, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike officials have recorded only 115 confirmed cases.

A senior doctor at Bowring Hospital said at least 200 cases of viral fevers are reported there every day. "We have treated one positive case each of malaria and chikungunya over the last week."

"The cold weather, rain and the resultant water stagnation are the main culprits. We are also receiving cases of bronchitis and viral flu apart from a minimum of four dengue admissions every day. But so far none of them have been fatal,"

(Snip)

The situation is similar at the State-run K.C. General Hospital. Senior specialist Mohan says at least six cases of viral flu apart from other infections are being treated there. Continued: http://www.thehindu.com/news/c...

 

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 06:07:33 AM UTC

Singapore: 3,000 volunteers needed for study on spread of influenza

An ongoing study on the spread of influenza in the community needs more volunteers. 354 participants from 118 households have signed up so far, but researchers need 3,000 volunteers for the study.

(Snip)

The study aims to examine the spread of influenza and other respiratory infections in households and the community. The study will examine how often people fall ill from respiratory infections and identify factors that prevent people from developing influenza or its severe forms.

These include behaviours that people may take to protect themselves, the places they go to, people they meet at home and in the workplace, whether they had previously been vaccinated, and the strength of their immune systems with respect to some of these respiratory viruses.

Members of households are invited to take part if there are at least two willing participants aged 6 years and above. Pregnant women and non-Singaporeans may also participate.

Members of the public who are interested in participating in this study can call 6478 9608 on weekdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm or email sccs@nus.edu.sg. http://www.todayonline.com/Sin...

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 06:21:43 AM UTC

New Zealand: Auckland health officials are reminding residents to get immunised as the flu season starts to crack in.

Auckland health officials are reminding residents to get immunised as the flu season starts to crack in.

It comes after a dozen people were admitted to Christchurch Hospital intensive care after contracting the H3N2 virus. Sixty others have been admitted to an isolated ward.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service Dr Richard Hoskins says the elderly, young, and pregnant are most at risk.

"It's not too late to get the free immunisation if you're eligible, but anybody else can pay for it at their general practitioner or at a few pharmacists around the Auckland region." Continued: http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/...

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 07:22:53 AM UTC

New model of disease contagion ranks U.S. airports in terms of their spreading influence

Public health crises of the past decade - such as the 2003 SARS outbreak, which spread to 37 countries and caused about 1,000 deaths, and the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic that killed about 300,000 people worldwide - have heightened awareness that new viruses or bacteria could spread quickly across the globe, aided by air travel.

While epidemiologists and scientists who study complex network systems - such as contagion patterns and information spread in social networks - are working to create mathematical models that describe the worldwide spread of disease, to date these models have focused on the final stages of epidemics, examining the locations that ultimately develop the highest infection rates.

But a new study by researchers in MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) shifts the focus to the first few days of an epidemic, determining how likely the 40 largest U.S. airports are to influence the spread of a contagious disease originating in their home cities. This new approach could help determine appropriate measures for containing infection in specific geographic areas and aid public health officials in making decisions about the distribution of vaccinations or treatments in the earliest days of contagion.

Unlike existing models, the new MIT model incorporates variations in travel patterns among individuals, the geographic locations of airports, the disparity in interactions among airports, and waiting times at individual airports to create a tool that could be used to predict where and how fast a disease might spread.

"Our work is the first to look at the spatial spreading of contagion processes at early times, and to propose a predictor for which 'nodes' - in this case, airports - will lead to more aggressive spatial spreading," says Ruben Juanes, the ARCO Associate Professor in Energy Studies in CEE. "The findings could form the basis for an initial evaluation of vaccine allocation strategies in the event of an outbreak, and could inform national security agencies of the most vulnerable pathways for biological attacks in a densely connected world."

Article continues and check out the map and the video showing the possible spread route. http://phys.org/news/2012-07-d...  

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 20:14:19 PM UTC

China: Kachin children sick with flu in Chinese refugee camp

(Note: This is probably HFMD or dengue but just in case it isn't then I am posting the article here. As you read this article, keep in mind that HFMD only affects children and the classic rash seen on dengue patients is always on the stomach and back area, I think. Most likely scenario, IMO, is that the flu, dengue and HFMD are all circulating there.)

Ten-children in Nakawng Kawng refugee camp in China have a flu believed to have originated from mosquito bites. A school teacher at the camp said the children are getting sick after being bit by mosquitoes.

"Even some of the elders got sick with the flu. But it's the young children who are mostly coming down with the flu after being bit by mosquitoes. After being bitten by infected mosquitoes red spots appear on the hands and legs. This will follow with coughing and a runny nose. The flu is contagious and easily passed to their family members. Therefore we have requested for any children who are sick not to attend classes," said the school teacher.

The camp committee is trying to contain the flu in Nakawng Kawng by instructing the community to adhere to proper hygiene. They have instructed camp residents to use handkerchiefs when coughing, all drinking water should be boiled and anyone who becomes infected from mosquito bites to get proper medical treatment.

According to camp medic Hkawng Zawng children have been getting sick with the flu since early July.

Recently ten Kachin volunteers and several doctors led by Awng Mai, a physician from the Mandalay Hospital, came to assess the medical needs around the camps in the Nongdao (or Nawng Tau) area. Camp committee member Nang Bawk said the doctors visited the camps as a result of the flu outbreak and increase in other illnesses due to the rainy season.

"They were 10 people in total, including two medical doctors and one dentist.  They stayed in the camp for three-days to provide medical treatment. Some churches in Mandalay supported their trip," said Nang Bawk. Continued: http://www.kachinnews.com/news...

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 20:24:14 PM UTC

Australia: Flu cases soar (Tasmania)

MORE Tasmanians are being struck down with influenza this winter than last and Hobart is now the state's infection hot spot.

The Royal Hobart Hospital said presentations to the emergency department involving patients with flu symptoms and other respiratory illnesses created a heavy workload at the weekend.

School absentee lists are also growing and employers have reported a high number of workers ringing in sick.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Neil MacKinnon said this season's high flu rate was causing headaches for business. "Our own experience mirrors the anecdotal evidence. About 50 per cent of the staff have taken time off," Mr MacKinnon said.

While influenza is also emptying Tasmanian classrooms, educators are pleased parents are heeding the call to keep sick students home. Up to half of the students in any class at Hobart's Campbell St Primary School were away sick last week.

"Things have settled down a bit this week with about 25 per cent of students away," principal Ricky Oates said yesterday. "It is worse than last year and the younger classes are being affected most."

Department of Health data shows flu activity increased substantially during the first two weeks of July.

Of the 172 flu notifications received since the beginning of the flu season, 66 per cent were in this two-week period alone. Continued: http://www.themercury.com.au/a...

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 20:29:40 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for July 24, 2012

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Tue Jul 24, 2012 at 05:05:35 AM UTC