News Reports for August 21, 2012

US: Minnesota's first case of new swine flu reported

A new influenza strain that people acquire through contact with pigs has caused its first reported illness in Minnesota, the state Health Department reported on Monday, Aug. 20.

One case of variant H3N2 influenza was confirmed in a preschooler who lives in the Twin Cities. The child's older sibling is being considered a probable case, the Health Department said, because of the sibling's history of flu-like illness and connection to the younger child. Both children developed symptoms two days after visiting a live animal market in Dakota County on Aug. 10. Neither child required hospitalization, and both are recovering.

More than 200 cases of variant H3N2 influenza have been reported in eight states since the beginning of the year. Most have occurred in children who were exhibiting pigs at fairs or in people who visited swine exhibits at fairs. The illness tends to be relatively mild.

"There is no reason to discourage people from patronizing live animal markets -- or visiting the upcoming State Fair, local county fairs or other venues where pigs may be present -- because of concerns about (the new flu)," the Minnesota Department of Health said in a news release.

Live-animal markets let consumers choose and buy pigs, sheep or goats that are then killed, processed on-site and taken home for consumption. There are about five live animal markets in Minnesota, including three in the metro area, said Michael Schommer, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Continued: http://www.twincities.com/loca...

(Note: The following states have confirmed H3N2v cases: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Hawaii, West Virginia and now Minnesota. Kentucky is reporting a few cases of flu but I'm suspicious about it being seasonal H3N2.)

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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 01:33:31 AM UTC

H3N2v Cluster Linked To Dakota County Minnesota

Recombinomics Commentary

Minnesota has recorded its first confirmed case and a second probable case of a new influenza strain that people acquire through contact with pigs.

The two cases were reported in a pre-school-age child and an older sibling from a family living in the Twin Cities metro area. Both children developed symptoms of the illness two days after the family visited a live animal market in Dakota County on Aug. 10. Neither child required hospitalization, and both are recovering.

Both children were tested for the virus that causes the new flu strain, but only the younger child tested positive. However, the older child is considered a "probable" case, based on the child's history of flu-like illness and the family connection to the younger child.

The above comments from a Minnesota Department of Health press release describe a confirmed and probable case who visited a live market in Dakota County two days prior to symptom onset.  Although the visit is implicated based on incubation time, no data are presented on swine contact or symptomatic swine.

(Snip) the "swine exposure" drives testing of cases with ILI who would usually not be tested without swine exposure.  (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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 06:24:52 AM UTC

India: Chandivli woman tests positive for H1N1 (Maharashtra)

MUMBAI: A 33-year-old woman from Chandivli tested positive for the H1N1 influenza virus on Monday, taking the toll of positive cases to 71 for August. (Snip) 284 cases of H1N1 have been reported in 2012 (Snip) two confirmed deaths. The patient was started with Tamiflu. http://timesofindia.indiatimes...
 

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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 06:33:26 AM UTC

India: Yo-yoing weather lands many in hospital

A runny nose, teary eyes and bodyaches have been bringing down Mumbaikars for a couple of weeks now. Even though cases of malaria have substantially dropped in the last two months when compared with the same period last year, doctors find more and more patients with symptoms of viral fever turning up their doors.

In the last two months, civic body-run hospitals in the city saw a footfall of 200 patients suffering from fever every day. Of all monsoon ailments like malaria, gastroenteritis, dengue, leptospirosis and fever viral fever, including that accompanying swine flu, has been posing the highest risk to the city's population.

In immunocompromised patients, doctors warn, symptoms of viral fever can develop into life-threatening complications. About five patients admitted in the critical care unit of south Mumbai's Saifee Hospital have developed complications stemming from viral fever. "There has been a spurt in cases which initially began as viral fever. Such patients then developed a respiratory disorder and were put on ventilators," (Snip)

Private clinics see about 20-30 patients suffering from viral fever every day. Samples of two to three such patients have been sent for swine flu testing.

(Snip) consultant physician at Kohinoor Hospital in Kurla, blames the increase in such cases on the yo-yoing weather conditions. "The monsoon has not been consistent. If it continues to rain well, there is a possibility that the proliferating viruses and bacteria in the environment get washed away. Otherwise, a rapidly alternating warm and cool weather will result in a spurt of viral illnesses." (Snip) http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

(Note: In the years I have been following the news out of India, I have formed the opinion that any illness that includes fever and the doctors don't test for, can't diagnose or any diagnosis they don't want to make public is simply called "viral fever".)

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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 06:49:14 AM UTC

Canada: Public Health Notice - Flu related to agricultural fairs and petting zoos

A recent outbreak of influenza in the United States is linked to people, mostly children, handling and petting pigs at agricultural fairs and petting zoos.

Although this strain of influenza, known as H3N2v (the "v" stands for variant), has not been detected in Canada, families should be aware that it could eventually be circulating in swine in this country. Many Canadian families visit agricultural fairs taking place at this time of year and may be exposed to this flu virus.

The H3N2v virus doesn't spread easily from swine to people-and even less easily from person to person. In most cases, the virus causes only mild illness in people. Still, even with the low risk, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

People of certain groups, including children younger than five, appear to be at higher risk of complications from the flu. Such individuals should consider avoiding pig barns or pens, especially if sick pigs have been identified. If you do plan a trip to a petting zoo or fall fair, have fun and stay safe by following good precautionary measures. Continued: http://www.northumberlandview....

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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 07:01:44 AM UTC

Australia: Flu relief arrives ... at last (Tasmania)

TASMANIA is slowly recovering from a huge influenza season which has produced more than twice the number of cases as last year. The number of notified cases in August has steadily dropped after 573 cases the previous month.

The Health Department recorded 136 notifications in the past week ending August 12, compared with 179 the week before. Figures show the number of flu notifications recorded by the department this year have been at record levels.

With the exception of 2009, during the swine flu pandemic, this year's figures are more than double the annual notification numbers since 2007. Already this year there have been 874 recorded flu cases.

(Snip) 100,000 doses of flu vaccine had been provided for Tasmanians eligible for the free vaccine this year.

(Snip) this year the vaccine targeted Influenza A (H3N2 and the "swine flu" strain of H1N1) and one strain of Influenza B. The most commonly identified flu this year has been the H3N2 strain.

But Dr Veitch said the flu shot was not designed to completely prevent all flu. "There will always be cases of flu among people who have not been vaccinated and also among some people who have received the vaccine," he said. "However, an important effect of vaccine is to reduce the severity of flu illness, particularly among the elderly and those with illnesses."

(Snip)

Notifications only count those people who test positive for influenza. The true level of influenza illness will always be higher. 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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 07:10:24 AM UTC

More CDC Obfuscation On Human / Swine H3N2v Sub-Clades

Recombinomics Commentary

"We expect the number of H3N2v cases to rise since this virus has been found in pigs in a number of U.S. states per the USDA and there is so much interaction between people and pigs in fair settings at this time of year."

The good news is that the main risk factor for H3N2v virus infection continues to be exposure to pigs.

The above comments from the August 17 CDC update, which again cites USDA data to support the CDC position that the H3N2v cases at agricultural fairs is due to transmission to humans from infected swine at the fairs.  However, the CDC has released full sequences from the H3N2v cases and the USDA has been releasing sequences from swine, including H3N2v matches, which have significant discordance and do not support frequent transmission of H3N2v from swine to humans.  The continue obfuscation by the CDC on the sub-clade differences between the first 10 H3N2v human cases in 2011 and all of the 2012 human cases continues to create severe bias in sample collection and testing which strengthens the artificial link between H3N2v cases and swine exposure.

The CDC sequences from patients shows clear human adaption of H3N2v, which includes significant changes that appear in human cases prior to appearance in swine, supporting common transmission from human to swine.

The first human H3N2v was in the summer of 2009 and the sequences had internal genes related to an H1N1v outbreak at the 2007 Huron County Fair, which involved two confirmed cases, a presenter and her father (A/Ohio/01/2007 and A/Ohio/02/2007).  Moreover, 26 attendees of the fair had ILI (influenza-like illness), signaling extensive transmission to humans.

Continued with much more: 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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 07:28:00 AM UTC

India: 'Severity' of H1N1 virus lesser this year - Surveillance dept (Maharashtra)

THE state surveillance department has found the "severity" of swine flu (H1N1 virus) lesser this year as compared to 2009-10 and 2010-11. "Of the 33 H1N1 death cases in the state this year, at least 75 per cent had co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and so on," said state surveillance officer Dr Pradip Awate.

From April-August, 629 cases of swine flu were reported in the state, with 33 deaths. In Pune city and Pimpri-Chinchwad, there have been 186 cases with nine deaths and around 70 cases with six deaths in the same time period. Swine flue deaths have also been registered in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Satara, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg.

"The severity is less as doctors are familiar with the mode of treatment," said Dr Ambarish Shahade, former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) city unit.

"An analysis of the deaths shows that comparatively the mortality rate is less as 33 deaths have been registered while more than 600 persons have been infected," said Awate. The age group is between 22 and 50 years with only one child below 10 years succumbing to the virus.

The child, however, was suffering from Down's Syndrome while around 75 per cent of those who died had co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac ailments while some were immuno-compromised and had HIV. Continued: http://www.financialexpress.co...

(Note: That comes out to a 5% CFR and in my opinion, that is noteworthy percentage of deaths!)

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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 07:56:09 AM UTC

US: Veterinarians are keeping close eye on pigs at Ky. State Fair (Kentucky)

Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11)- The pigs arrived at the Kentucky State Fair this morning, and veterinarians are keeping a close eye on symptoms of swine flu. No cases have been confirmed in Kentucky (Snip)

(Snip) State Fair Veterinarians are inspecting every pig as it comes into the fairgrounds. If a pig is believed to have swine flu, the animal will be quarantined and will not be shown at the fair. http://www.whas11.com/news/loc...  

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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 08:10:37 AM UTC

Canada: Time to Close The Pig Barns, Flu Expert Says

TORONTO - It's been found in pigs and/or people in more than 10 U.S. states and counting. In less than a month, more than 200 people - most young children - have been infected by an unwanted visitor to many of the state and county fairs that are held at this time of year.

A new swine flu virus is infecting a growing number of people in the United States. But the official response to this outbreak is substantially different from the one that greeted the swine H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009.

Public health authorities, perhaps still stinging from criticism of the response to the H1N1 pandemic, are struggling to strike the right note with this virus, which so far doesn't seem to be spreading from person to person. But is their low-key strategy the right one to take?

One prominent flu expert is questioning the approach, which has largely focused on encouraging people not to eat or drink while touring pig barns at fairs and to wash their hands after visiting these exhibits.

Michael Osterholm suggests it's too soon to conclude that this new virus is going to be a mere nuisance or just another weird chapter in the ever-perplexing saga of influenza viruses. And he says it's time to take what likely would be a very unpopular step - tell organizers that this year, pigs should stay home from the fair.

"I'm convinced that wherever you have pigs and fairs right now you're seeing this transmission - at least in North America," says Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy, and of the Minnesota Center for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance. "These pigs shouldn't be at the fairs."

The virus, an influenza A of the H3N2 family and a distant cousin of human viruses of the same name, was first spotted in humans last summer. To distinguish between the animal and human viruses, scientists call this H3N2 variant or H3N2v.

(Following a sharp drop in pork sales, human health officials gave in to pressure from the agricultural lobby to stop using the term swine flu during the 2009 pandemic, so now swine-origin viruses are called variants when they infect people.)

(Snip)

Asked about the issue on a recent teleconference with the media, a senior influenza scientist with the Centers for Disease Control said a two-pronged strategy was being introduced to try to bring the situation at fairs under control. The plan: Stress hand hygiene among humans and screen pigs at they arrive to weed out evidently unhealthy animals.

"So I don't think it's necessary at this point at least to cancel a swine show," Dr. Joe Bresee, the CDC's head of influenza epidemiology said on Aug. 9.

"We'll continue to follow these things, and we'll continue to follow the cases and learn more about the epidemiology and exposures of risks over the coming weeks. And the recommendations may change. But I think let's let the prevention strategies that are just now being put in place take hold and see what we get."

Just last week, however, a CDC journal published an article reporting that many seemingly healthy pigs that are brought to show in the United States are infected with flu.

And since the Aug. 9 CDC teleconference, scores of new human cases have been identified, in a lengthening list of states.

On Monday, Minnesota joined Wisconsin, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, Illinois and Hawaii to report human cases in the past month. Cases were also seen last year and this spring in Maine, Iowa and Utah.

"I think veterinary public health and human public health have done far too much to reassure the public that the methods taken at the fairs are going to substantially impact this transmission," says Osterholm. "I think we have to be up front and honest about that. Does this mean this is potentially significant public health event? We don't know that. We have to be careful."

"I'm not sitting here crying 'wolf' or 'fire'. But at the same time, we can't reassure people that this is going to be an uneventful situation. We don't know."

So far the virus has not been found in pigs in Canada; no human cases have cropped up here either. There are suspicions about that south of the border, given the degree of movement of pigs between the two countries. But a senior official with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency insists there has been no sign of the virus here.

Continued with much more:  http://metronews.ca/news/canad...

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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 08:39:42 AM UTC

US: Citing swine flu risk, disease expert wants pigs removed from Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota State Fair officials should close the Swine Barn and keep pigs out of this year's event, according to an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota.

What's more, state and county fairs across the country also should keep pigs away due to the continued transmission of a new flu virus from pigs to people, said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

"This is an unprecedented situation globally," Osterholm said Tuesday, Aug. 21, referring to the spread of variant H3N2 influenza virus from pigs to humans in the United States.

"We are concerned about the immediate human illness," said Osterholm, whose center is designated as a center of excellence by the National Institutes of Health. "But the primary concern is that, with each one of these transmissions, there's more opportunity for this virus to mutate. ... Is this in fact the breeding ground for the next pandemic strain?"

The Minnesota Department of Health, however, contends that the show can go on. Continued: http://www.twincities.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 @ Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 23:16:48 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for August 22, 2012

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Wed Aug 22, 2012 at 04:04:04 AM UTC