News Reports for January 15, 2013

Mexico: Two highly pathogenic bird flu outbreaks hit Mexican egg farms

Two outbreaks of bird flu have struck farms in Mexico resulting in the deaths of 740 birds and the culling of some 280,000 (Snip).

(Snip) highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) type H7N3 spread through the two egg production farms in Central Mexico's Aguascalientes State. (Snip) the first outbreak in the San Francisco de los Romo municipality had a population of 146,755 birds aged 21-80 weeks, of which 2,990 sick and 740 dead. Clinical signs were conjunctivitis, edema, cyanosis and palpebral, comb and chin swelling as well as opisthotonos and sudden death. Additionally, during post-mortem inspections, hemorrhages were identified in trachea, lungs and tonsils.

The second outbreak in Aguascalientes municipality was detected during active surveillance conducted in the State of Aguascalientes and the virus was isolated in another commercial layer farm with a population of 138,000 birds over 81 weeks old, which was also depopulated.

(Snip)

These outbreaks of HPAI follow a outbreak in Sep. 2012 in the northeastern part of the State of Jalisco.

(Snip) avian influenza A viruses are classified into two categories (low pathogenic and highly pathogenic) that refer to their ability to cause severe disease, based upon molecular characteristics of the virus and mortality in birds under experimental conditions. Infection of poultry with low pathogenic avian influenza A (LPAI) viruses may cause no disease or mild illness (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production) and may not be detected.

Infection of poultry with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) viruses can cause severe disease with high mortality. Both HPAI and LPAI viruses can spread rapidly through poultry flocks. HPAI virus infection can cause disease that affects multiple internal organs with mortality up to 90-100% in chickens, often within 48 hours. http://www.theglobaldispatch.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 @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 06:29:51 AM UTC

Reported US Pediatric Flu Deaths Increase To 38

Recombinomics Commentary

Recent updates have increased the number of reported US adolescent flu deaths to 38, almost double the 20 cases reported by the CDC in the week 1 FluView.  Most of the 38 cases have been lab confirmed (see list below) and most that have not been confirmed have been reported in 2013 and will soon be confirmed.  Fourteen of the 18 cases not reported in FluView have been reported in the media or state lab reports in 2013.

(Snip).  In addition to the reported adolescent deaths, the dramatic rise in adult deaths and hospitalizations indicate the adolescent deaths will rise significantly (Snip).

These recent increases are largely due to H3N2 and the poor match with the current vaccine.  Although the Victoria/361 sub-clade is dominant, genetic changes associated with low reactors are common and increasing (Snip).

FluView pediatric deaths
Wk   #    Location
01    2    KS TX
52    2    MI NY
51    8    AR FL ME MI(2) TX WA WI
50    2    NJ
49    1    TX
48    3    IN FL SC
46    1    TX
41    1    TN

Pediatric deaths not in FluView
02    7    MA NE NY TX* TX* OH* OH
01    7    MI* MN* NE* NY* PA SC* TX*
52    1   IN*
50    2    CO*  CO*
48    1    OH

* = Lab Confimed

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 06:40:34 AM UTC

US: City Under Flu Crisis: 48 Hours in Boston's Massive Flu Outbreak (Massachusetts)

Little Cassie Colice fought off another coughing fit as she sat in the emergency room at Boston Children's Hospital with her mother. Despite getting a flu shot this season, doctors believed the toddler was suffering from the flu. "She's gone from having what you think for a toddler is a common cold to having difficulty breathing, coughing up a lot of mucus, terribly lethargic, no appetite," said Cassie's mother, Meghan Moriarty. "It just makes me feel bad that she can't tell me."

"Nightline" spent the last 48 hours documenting a city in crisis from a raging flu epidemic, from patients who already have it to those who are taking measures to avoid it and the doctors who are battling the outbreak.

(Snip)

"We are at full capacity," Stack said. "The hospital is essentially completely full." And it was not just Children's Hospital, all of Boston's world-famous hospitals are operating on overdrive. There have been more than 750 confirmed flu cases so far this season in Boston, more than 10 times the 70 cases from this time last year.

"I have been here for 19 years," said Dr. Ron Walls of Brigham and Women's Hospital. "I don't remember seeing anything like this."

At Massachusetts General Hospital, patient Shane Wells feared his laundry list of flu-like symptoms was making him another one of Boston's latest statistics. Despite getting the flu shot, the 41-year-old was suffering from chills, sweats and incessant cough. Continued: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/4...

(Note: There is also a video.)

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 06:58:49 AM UTC

US: Boston firms boost efforts to fight flu outbreak (Massachusetts)

The flu outbreak in Boston has employers on high alert, giving door knobs and elevator buttons an extra cleaning, holding additional flu clinics, even recommending that workers sprinkle sprouted garlic on their salads to boost their immune systems.

Boston has reported more than 750 confirmed cases of the flu this winter, up from just 70 last winter, prompting Mayor Thomas M. Menino to declare a public health emergency last week. The workplace is one of the main places where illness can spread like wildfire, in part due to the many people who drag themselves into the office when they are coughing, feverish, and achy.

(Snip)

More people came to work sick last year - 80 percent, according to a recent online survey by Framingham office supplier Staples Inc. Among those who did stay home, more than two-thirds came back to the office while they were still contagious.

Employees are worried about holding onto their jobs in a shaky economy and don't want to appear as if they are slacking off, workplace analysts say; others don't want to put a burden on co-workers who are already overworked due to staff reductions.

Many people can't afford to call in sick. Nearly 40 percent of private sector workers don't have paid sick days, according to the Center for American Progress, a Washington, D.C., think tank.

All these germs in the workplace take a toll on the national economy. A 2003 study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that people coming to work sick cost $160 billion a year in lost productivity, a figure that has undoubtedly risen since then. Feverish employees who stagger into the office are not only less efficient and take longer to recover, they can also spread their illness to co-workers. Continued: http://bostonglobe.com/busines...

(Note: As I said yesterday, if there are only 750 "confirmed" cases of flu in Boston, obviously the hospitals and doctor's offices are either not testing patients or are not reporting the results. They are diagnosing them based on symptoms. The flu is raging there, along with most all of the United States so the low number of "confirmed" cases we are seeing everywhere, doesn't really mean much.)

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 07:16:59 AM UTC

India: Swine flu : 19 confirmed cases in Punjab; 7 in Ludhiana

LUDHIANA: The number of confirmed cases of swine flue in the state has reached 19. Out of these, seven are admitted to DMC Hospital, CMC and Apollo Hospital in Ludhiana while the rest are under treatment at Chandigarh and Patiala.

(Snip) 13 patients of swine flu were from different parts of Pujab while six others had been brought for treatment from other neighbouring states.

(Snip) seven confirmed cases of swine flu were admitted to city hospitals. These included one each patient from Sangrur and Barnala, who had also tested positive.

Health officials said all local hospitals had been directed to have all arrangements in place for isolation of confirmed cases of swine flu and proper treatement to the patients as well as to those who had come in contact with them to check the infection from spreading further. http://punjabnewsline.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 Jan 15, 2013 at 07:28:06 AM UTC

CIDRAP: H5N1 hits backyard flocks in Bhutan

An outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu in backyard free-ranging flocks in Bhutan has killed 18 poultry and led to 952 more being culled (Snip). The birds had died from Dec 19 through Dec 30 in Dagana village in Dagana district (Snip). Trace-back investigations found that 10 more birds had died in the previous month but had not been reported (Snip). A national and a regional reference lab confirmed H5N1 in two samples collected from backyard flocks, whereupon the remaining 952 susceptible poultry were culled to prevent disease spread. (Snip) Bhutan reported eight H5N1 outbreaks in 2012, including its first ever last January. http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...

Jan 11 OIE report http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/pub...  

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 08:06:51 AM UTC

CIDRAP: Modeling study finds low pandemic risk from variant H3N2

Canada: Novel swine-origin variant H3N2 influenza (H3N2v) does not currently pose a substantial pandemic risk, according to Canadian flu experts, but that could change over time, according to a study in PLoS One.

The scientists estimated potential epidemic attack rates (ARs) based on age-specific estimates of serosusceptibility and social interactions. They used a contact network model established for Greater Vancouver to estimate ARs for H3N2v, pandemic 2009 H1N1, and a former seasonal H3N2 strain.

The model factored in typical flu characteristics, basic reproduction number, social contacts, and age-specific seroprotection rates (SPRs).

The researchers determined an AR of 6% for H3N2v, meaning that 6% of the population exposed would be infected, but the AR grew to 16% in kids 6 to 11 years old. If they modified the SPRs, however, H3N2v ARs of  20% or higher were possible. Continued: 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 @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 08:19:48 AM UTC

Canada: Bug hits hard

Sudbury Star

The numbers are alarming, but Health Sciences North and Sudbury & District Health Unit officials are working together to ensure influenza doesn't hit the community any harder than it is.

They have their work cut out for them.

The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in the health unit's catchment area rose from 18 last week to 45 by Monday, said Lisa Schell, manager of clinical programs for the SDHU.

The flu is hitting hard in long-term care residences....

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by: pogge @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 12:44:24 PM UTC

US: Hospitals Block Visitors With Flu Symptoms From Entering (New Jersey)

Video: http://on.aol.com/video/hospit...

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 14:16:48 PM UTC

US: Massive Flu Outbreak Overwhelms Chicago Hospitals (Illinois)

Video: http://on.aol.com/video/massiv...

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 14:18:44 PM UTC

Tensions linger over discovery of coronavirus

A continuing row pits researchers against authorities in Saudi Arabia, where deadly pathogen was first isolated.

Declan Butler

14 January 2013

When microbiologist Ali Mohamed Zaki mailed out a sample of a deadly virus he had found in Saudi Arabia to a leading virologist, he thought he was helping to alert the world to a potential public-health threat. But Saudi authorities are unhappy that, although the virus was first isolated in their country, Zaki's action has resulted in handing sovereign and intellectual-property rights on the first diagnostic tests or treatments over to an institute in the Netherlands.

snip

After routine diagnostics failed to identify the cause of death, Zaki contacted Ron Fouchier, a leading virologist at the Erasmus Medical Center (EMC) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, for advice. Fouchier, who last year made headlines for his work on H5N1 avian influenza, suggested that Zaki test for a coronavirus. The test came up positive.

continued
http://www.nature.com/news/ten...

United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com

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by: cottontop @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 16:39:07 PM UTC

US: The flu is fast headed our way: 5 ways to fight (California)

With flu season likely to ramp up in Los Angeles in coming weeks, health officials and family doctors are trying to get out the word: There are some things you can do to avoid coming down with this year's flu.

First, get your immunizations - it's not too late. This year's flu shot protects against three flu strains: two influenza A's (an H1N1, an H3N2) and one influenza B.  These three strains have predominated among infections this year, so it's as good a preventive vaccine as can be expected.

It's true that flu shots don't provide 100% protection, especially for the elderly. In a report released Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this year's vaccine appeared to have an effectiveness rate of 62%. But Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director, argued that "that's a glass 62% full," and it still provides the best prevention tool at our disposal.

What's more, said flu researcher Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan, if you do get sick after a vaccination, your illness may be less severe, and you're also likely to "shed" less virus - that is, spread less flu around - than a person who hasn't had the shot. Continued: http://www.courant.com/health/...

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 16:48:31 PM UTC

Set Special Status Bird Flu Outbreak in National

January 15, 2013
http://nasional.kompas.com/rea...
Jakarta, Indonesia:  The government has been asked to assign a special status for the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu virus Clade 2.3.2 as a national epidemic because it is contagious in 12 provinces and has caused the deaths of nearly half a million ducks.  Moreover, this type of bird flu virus is also potentially infectious to humans.

"The bird flu virus H5N1 Clade 2.3.2 was an outbreak in 12 provinces and has caused more than 420 thousand ducks to die.  The total loss is estimated at Rp 115 billion.  The government should immediately establish a special status as a national epidemic outbreak," said Vice Chairman of the Party Gerindra Fadli Zon in Jakarta, Tuesday (15/1).

Fadli who is also Secretary General of the Association of Indonesian Farmers version Prabowo said that besides causing losses of farmers' ducks, this type of bird flu virus is potentially infectious to humans, as has been reported in China, Hong Kong and Bangladesh.  Fadli said that returning the bird flu outbreak should also be the subject of correction by the government, especially the Ministry of Agriculture in conducting security controls on the circulation of poultry in Indonesia.  

"It could be that there is less control over farm poultry at the service entrance.  All birds coming from abroad should be checked and strictly supervised.  If this has been done, but the virus can still can get in, it does not close the possibility of illegal poultry trade from abroad," he said.

Fadli said the government should be quicker to anticipate the spread of this virus.  Therefore, many people (depend on) their duck farms for their livelihood.  The government, he added, needs to spend budget support compensation for farmers' ducks.


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

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by: History Lover @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 17:48:30 PM UTC

US: Inova restricts hospital visits over flu fears (Virginia)

With this season's flu outbreak prompting continuing concern in the Washington area, a Northern Virginia hospital system has announced new measures restricting visits as part of an effort to prevent infection.

The Inova health-care system, which has more than 1,700 beds in Northern Virginia, said it is taking a series of measures aimed at protecting patients, staff and visitors from flu exposure.

These include banning visitors younger than 18, as well as visitors who have "any symptoms of influenza-like illness."

At Inova Women's Hospital in Fairfax, the health system said, "all visitors may be screened for flu-like symptoms." Continued: http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

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 Jan 15, 2013 at 19:04:50 PM UTC

The Flu, Explained

http://www.motherjones.com/env...

This year's flu season is the worst in recent history. Here's what you need to know.
-By Kiera Butler
Mon Jan. 14, 2013 3:06 AM PST

Get your flu shot. It's altruistic
[SNIP]

Where in the US is the flu worst right now?

It's sort of hard to tell, since the CDC is not releasing any real time data; its stats are about a week old. Also, maps like the one below don't track the flu itself, just flu-like symptoms. Here's a look at the CDC's symptom activity map for the week that ended on January 5.

How do I even know I have the flu? How can my doctor tell?

To know for certain, you'd need to have a blood test. But most doctors won't do that, since it won't really change the treatment (rest, drink fluids). But there are some key differences between a bad cold and a flu, says CDC spokesman Curtis Allen. "You will be running a high temperature for several days, and it will keep you in bed for a week or more," he says. But the most distinctive feature of the flu is its sudden onset. "You could be feeling fine at 10 and very sick at noon."

If the flu season has peaked, should I still get a flu shot?
[SNIP]

Can you get the flu from the flu shot itself?
[SNIP]

If so many people get flu shots, how come there's still an epidemic?
[SNIP]

I'm young and healthy. It's not like the flu is going to kill me. So why should I bother with the vaccine?
[SNIP]

I tried to get a vaccine, but the damn pharmacy ran out. I give up.How do they figure out what to put in those shots, anyway?
[SNIP]

Why is there a "season" for the flu?
[SNIP]

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 19:12:19 PM UTC

Flu Epidemic Waning but Could Still Make Comeback

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/f...

Jan. 10, 2013. (Cheryl Evans/The Arizona Republic/AP

By LIZ NEPORENT (@lizzyfit)
Jan. 15, 2013
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said flu cases had waned in recent weeks but that the cold-weather virus could still make a comeback before the end of the season.

"It's not surprising," Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, said in teleconference last Friday. "Influenza ebbs and flows during the flu season. The only thing predictable about the flu is that it is unpredictable."

[snip]

Hospitals in many areas of the country have said they've been overwhelmed by this year's epidemic, which came on hard, fast and early. The disease prompted a public health emergency in Boston, where health officials said last week that 700 people had been diagnosed with the infectious respiratory disease, and 18 had died from flu-related complications in the state.

[snip]

"You have to think about an anti-viral, especially if you're elderly, a young child, a pregnant woman," Besser said. To raise public awareness about flu prevention and treatment, Besser will host a one hour "tweet chat" on Twitter today from 1-2 p.m. ET. To participate, sign into Twitter and click here for the hashtag. Follow the conversation or jump in with comments and questions of your own.

[Continued...accompanying video]

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 19:41:01 PM UTC

Flu Season: 47 States Report Widespread Outbreaks Dr. Richard Besser discusses headlines from the record-breaking flu season.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/vide...

01:45 | 01/14/2013

[Video available]

New york is the latest state to declare a public health emergency. Chief health and medical ed dor dr. Richard besser joins us.

Is it peaking and starting to go back down yet? It depends where you are, what you're seeing. The latest data, new from cdc in the areas hit earliest and hardest, the south, it may have peaked. It may be starting to come down.

California is just on the rise. What they reported just on friday is their numbers are coming up and coming up sharply.
They'll see the big rise.
[snip]

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 19:47:32 PM UTC

Cold And Flu Prevention: 10 Natural Ways To Boost Your Immune System

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

Posted: 01/15/2013 8:16 am EST

[Note: This article has a slide show of natural immunity boosters. The one I found most interesting is below. There were anecdotal records from the 1918 pandemic of families that really pushed onion and garlic at every meal escaping the flu entirely. Evidently there has been further research on the subject. At least strong use of garlic and onion would probably keep people further away from you. :)]

Garlic
The anti-microbial properties of this pungent bulb (and its relative, the onion) can fight off certain bacteria and viruses, says Tierno, as can the compounds in other herbs and spices, like thyme.

It's likely due to the compound allicin, which seems to block infections. Try it in your next bowl of soothing chicken soup!

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 20:06:34 PM UTC

Flu Prevention: Why Are Adults Still Sneezing Into Their Hands?

http://ideas.time.com/2013/01/...

By Erika ChristakisJan. 15, 2013

Nothing quite gets under the skin like a young child pointing out the negative impact of your incandescent light bulbs and idling car, but in the midst of a virulent flu season and the worst whooping cough outbreak in 60 years, it's worth listening to the righteous army of Liliputian surgeon generals. These tiny troopers are the advance guard against phlegm; they know how to stop germs in their tracks. Hand sanitizer breaks are routine in elementary schools, and when there isn't time to grab a Kleenex, children use a strategically placed elbow across the mouth instead.

Walk into any pre-K or elementary classroom in America and you'll be surprised to see that kids don't cough or sneeze into their hands anymore. It's simply not done and it's easy to see why. Coughing or sneezing directly into a hand that subsequently handles food, money, and other human body parts is clearly a recipe for contagion. The real wonder is that people failed for so many years to spot this simple truth. A typical sneeze can travel 100 miles per hour and spew countless germs into the air. One study found that viruses can survive much longer on objects like dollar bills than originally thought, particularly when found in high concentrations like those from a single sneeze.

[continued]

Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2013/01/...

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 20:15:24 PM UTC

Hand sanitizer spread faster than the flu America seems to have maxed out on the germ-fighting gel

http://www.marketwatch.com/sto...

Jan. 15, 2013, 11:47 a.m. EST

By Quentin Fottrell

The flu may be spreading quickly this season, but if sales of hand sanitizer are any indication, germaphobia has already infected every corner of America.

[snip]

Should this flu season get much worse, experts say, there could end up being a sanitizer shortage too, as production has tapered off. "If we're still in the early stages of the spread, we're certainly going to find that there aren't enough hand sanitizers on hand," Green says. Retailers did not appear to expect an epidemic this year - particularly after the warm winter of 2011. The number of tractor-trailer-size shipping containers delivering hand sanitizer rose 33% year-over-year in 2012, versus a 175% spike in 2009, when the U.S. public, doctors and retailers were all collectively braced for swine flu.

[snip]

Still, the effectiveness of the sanitizer remains uncertain. Although they might help fight infection in hospitals, the prevalence of these gels in schools and kitchens has had no discernible impact on flu cases. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates sanitizers, doesn't allow manufacturers to make any antiviral claims. As for combating bacteria, "they are as effective as soap and water," Williams says.
[continued]

Note: Even though effectivness against viruses does not appear to be certain, it should be remembered that many, if not most deaths from our present form of flu are from secondary bacterial infections. Somebody correct me on this if I am wrong.  

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 20:35:12 PM UTC

Doctor: Don't skip the flu shot, or you might get those around you sick

http://www.nj.com/morris/index...

By Louis C. Hochman/NJ.com
on January 15, 2013 at 7:25 AM, updated January 15, 2013 at 9:07 AM

MORRISTOWN - You don't really trust vaccines. You never get sick. Besides, on the off chance you get the flu, you can tough it out, right? But can your neighbor? Can your kid?

"Getting the flu is not a pleasant experience," said Dr. Joel Maslow, head of infectious diseases at Morristown Medical Center. "It carries a risk of significant illness, and in some cases, death. And while you may not have a disease that would put you at risk of complication, you put yourself at risk of exposing others who may have compromised immune systems."

[snip]

Not everything that feels like the flu is, Maslow said. In fact, state statistics are showing about four times as many instances of respiratory syncytial virus - RSV, for short - as influenza, Maslow said.

Anything demonstrating flu-like symptoms deserves attention, Maslow said. As media reports about the flu have stepped up, and other diseases with flu-like symptoms have spread, significant numbers of people who don't have influenza are showing up at hospitals, Maslow said. But week after week, the percentage of those tested who actually have the flu has risen as well.
[continued]

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 21:03:49 PM UTC

City Under Flu Crisis: 48 Hours in Boston's Massive Flu Outbreak

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/4...

[Good video from ABC's Nightline following 48 hours in Boston's flu epidemic.

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by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 21:22:31 PM UTC

Please post new news stories ...

...to News Reports for January 16, 2013

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Wed Jan 16, 2013 at 05:30:43 AM UTC