News Reports for December 21, 2012

US: Influenza widespread throughout Minnesota

Just in time for Christmas, influenza has reached widespread levels in Minnesota, the state Department of Health reported on Thursday. "We are now at widespread activity across the state," said Kris Ehresmann, director of infectious diseases for the Minnesota Department of Health. That's far ahead of the spread of flu in the state at this time last year and the year before.

"We've seen a real increase in hospitalizations reported and in schools that are reporting outbreaks," Ehresmann said.

One of the schools was in Itasca County, meaning at least 5 percent of students were out with flu or flu-like symptoms, Ehresmann said. It doesn't mean the school closed because of the illness. A Catholic school in St. Cloud did cancel classes on Thursday and today because of large numbers of student being out sick, the Associated Press reported.

Statewide, 47 schools and six long-term care facilities had flu outbreaks within the past week, the health department said.

A total of 165 Minnesotans have been hospitalized so far this season with the flu, the health department reported, and 65 of those occurred just within the past week. Also, Minnesota recorded its first flu-related death of the season within the past week. The victim was a man in his 60s with underlying health conditions, Ehresmann said. She declined to say where the man lived.

(Snip)

The flu season has started early this year, both nationally and in Minnesota, Ehresmann said. The early start means the state probably will experience at least a normal flu season this year, if not worse, she said. But even a normal season will seem bad, she said, because the past two years were mild. Continued: http://www.duluthnewstribune.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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 06:48:46 AM UTC

US: Oklahoma's flu cases continue to rise

(Snip) Public health officials are reminding residents to get their flu shots before hosting guests and also traveling to friends' and families' homes for the holidays.

The number of flu cases continues to rise in Oklahoma. Last week, seven residents were hospitalized because of flu-related illness, according to the state Health Department. A total of 51 residents have been hospitalized because of the flu since Sept. 30. No deaths have been confirmed this season.

Flu activity in Oklahoma has been increasing since late November and this week reached a "regional" level, meaning flu virus infections are being confirmed in more communities across the state (Snip).

The northwest and central areas of the state, along with Tulsa County, are experiencing the highest levels of flu-like illness.

Season comes early

Flu activity also continues to increase nationwide, with the U.S. experiencing an early flu season (Snip). The CDC has reported high levels of activity concentrated in the south central and southeastern regions at this time.

States around Oklahoma, such as Texas and Arkansas, have seen widespread cases of the flu reported, according to the CDC. Continued: http://newsok.com/oklahomas-fl...

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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 06:54:31 AM UTC

India: Baby dies of swine flu, toll touches 35 (Maharashtra)

A one-and-a-half-year-old baby from Lonavala died due to swine flu (H1N1 virus) at Ruby Hall Clinic here on Thursday. While the swine flu toll has gone up to 35 since April this year, this is the first death in the paediatric age group (Snip).

(Snip) The child had cold and cough since November 25, it was only on December 7 that the girl was taken to the local doctor for treatment. She, however, was breathless and did not respond to the treatment following which she was shifted to Bhide Hospital (Snip) on December 9. While the baby was intubated, her throat swab was sent on December 12 for the H1N1 virus (Snip).

She tested swine flu positive and was shifted to Ruby Hall clinic. Health officials said her condition deteriorated due to delay in treatment. She died on December 19 due to swine flu related complications such as broncho pneumonia and septicemia with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

(Snip) 35 deaths have been registered due to swine flu since April this year and a total of 501 people have been detected with swine flu. http://www.indianexpress.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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 07:11:37 AM UTC

Palestine: Palestinian woman dies of A/H1N1 virus in West Bank

RAMALLAH, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian woman from the West Bank died Thursday of A/H1N1 virus (Snip).

Spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Health (Snip) told Xinhua that a pregnant woman died earlier Thursday, adding that two other men died of the virus earlier this week.

(Snip) a total of 40 A/H1N1 cases are receiving medical treatment in the West Bank.

(Snip)

Last year, twelve Palestinians died of A/H1N1 virus. http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...  

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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 07:17:38 AM UTC

CIDRAP: Lower respiratory tract bleeding reported in 2009 pandemic flu patients

Influenza should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have hemoptysis (coughing of blood) or other signs or symptoms of lower respiratory tract hemorrhage (LRTH), say the authors of a study published today in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. LRTH has been reported in connection with past flu pandemics and occurs rarely with seasonal influenza.

(Snip) the authors identified 44 patients who had 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu and evidence of pneumonia and LRTH. The median time from illness onset to clinical signs or LRTH was 1 day. (Snip) respiratory tract bleeding was documented in 40% of cases; 21 (48%) of patients with LRTH had no other hemorrhagic diatheses. Antiviral treatment was administered within 2 days of illness onset in seven patients (23%). (Snip) because of the rapid progression of LRTH, empiric antiviral therapy may be justified in affected patients. Continued for link: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...

 

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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 07:54:55 AM UTC

US: RI health director urges flu vaccinations, says hospitalizations on the rise (Rhode Island)

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - The state's top health official is calling on Rhode Islanders to get immunized against influenza as the number of hospitalizations for it has risen. (Snip) the state has seen a steady increase in those admitted to the hospital for the flu. (Snip) nine percent of emergency room visits in the past week have been for flu-like illness.

He says he expects the number of cases to rise in the coming weeks and that it's not too late to get vaccinated. (Snip).

(Snip) influenza is widespread in the state. Health care workers who haven't been vaccinated must wear masks when dealing with patients. http://www.therepublic.com/vie...

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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 08:14:30 AM UTC

US: RI health director urges flu vaccinations, says hospitalizations on the rise

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - (Snip)> health official is calling on Rhode Islanders to get immunized against influenza as the number of hospitalizations for it has risen. (Snip) the state has seen a steady increase in those admitted to the hospital for the flu. (Snip) nine percent of emergency room visits in the past week have been for flu-like illness.

He says he expects the number of cases to rise in the coming weeks and that it's not too late to get vaccinated. (Snip).

(Snip) influenza is widespread in the state. Health care workers who haven't been vaccinated must wear masks when dealing with patients. http://www.newfluwiki2.com/dia...

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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 08:55:48 AM UTC

Avian flu virus learns to fly without wings

Avian flu virus learns to fly without wings

Potentially fatal bird flu viruses can spread on the wind, a hitherto suspected but unproven route of transmission.

Usually, people catch bird flu through close physical contact with each other or, much more commonly, with infected poultry.

The newly identified capacity for wind to spread it opens up a potential route by which the viruses can spread between farms..... snip
http://www.newscientist.com/ar...

Be Prepared

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by: DennisC @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 14:50:24 PM UTC

Canada: It's beginning to look a lot like flu season

Branswell:

Flu activity seems to be surging just in time for the holidays in several parts of the country, health officials said on Thursday as they urged people to take precautions against catching and spreading the illness.

It's not too late to get a flu shot, they suggested, and also said people can protect their friends and loved ones by not attending parties and gatherings if they are sick.

"We have long recognized that the holiday period is a chance for greater social mixing," said Dr. Danuta Skowronski, an influenza expert at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control in Vancouver.

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by: pogge @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 15:30:52 PM UTC

Canada: Upswing in Flu Cases (Ontario)

Surveillance information from local, provincial, and national public health agencies shows a marked upswing in influenza activity.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for Ontario is noting an increased frequency of reported influenza cases, institutional respiratory infection outbreaks, patients presenting to primary health care settings and emergency departments with influenza-like symptoms and laboratory confirmations of influenza samples.

(Snip). This outbreak is likely to impact the District of Algoma soon. http://www.google.com/#hl=en&s...

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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 19:50:28 PM UTC

India: 3-year-old from Hadapsar succumbs to swine flu (Maharashtra)

A three-year-old girl from Handewadi, Hadapsar died of swine flu (H1N1 virus) at Aditya Birla Hospital, Chinchwad on Thursday. Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation's health officer Dr Milind Jawale said, this is the 12th death reported from Pimpri since April this year. There were three deaths in January, February and March respectively. In Pune the toll since April has touched 35.

The child was unwell and had cough and cold from December 13. She developed fever and turned breathless by December 17. Officials said, she was admitted to Noble Hospital at Hadapsar on December 17 after which she was shifted to Jehangir Hospital on December 18. However, she was shifted to Aditya Birla Hospital where she succumbed to the swine flu virus on December 20. Her throat swab for the H1N1 virus had tested positive on December 19. Continued: http://www.indianexpress.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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 20:07:07 PM UTC

Bronco Bill, it's Friday joke time!

Your giggles are here: http://www.newfluwiki2.com/dia...

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 @ Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 20:58:54 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for December 22, 2012

Thank you!

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 @ Sat Dec 22, 2012 at 06:21:05 AM UTC

Carol@SC beat me by 19 seconds!

I must be getting slow.

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by: AlohaOR @ Sat Dec 22, 2012 at 06:22:18 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Please post new news stories ...

...to News Reports for December 22, 2012

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Sat Dec 22, 2012 at 06:21:24 AM UTC