News Reports for January 18, 2013

China: Beijing flu kills four amid peak season

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed by influenza within two weeks in Beijing, according to the city's disease control authorities.

From Dec. 31, 2012 to Jan. 13, 2013, three were reported dead from A/H1N1 flu, and another person died of ordinary flu (Snip).

(Snip) the A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 viruses are spreading in Beijing, with more flu cases expected in the coming days.

(Snip)

The Ministry of Health said last week the flu season that started in China's northern provinces in December is expected to peak with infections in the next few weeks. 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 Jan 18, 2013 at 02:50:36 AM UTC

China: Beijing - 5 infected with H1N1, 3 dead last week

According to Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, in last week, 50 people were infected with H1N1 and 1 died in Beijing. The first two weeks of the new year saw 60,000 cases of patients with influenza, according to the city's Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

(Snip)

Monitoring data by Beijing's Center for Disease Prevention and Control show that since last December the number of people with influenza has been increasing. Data from medical institutions with Level Ⅱor higher show that 30,173 of the 810,934 patients were infected with flu, a little higher than 30,077 last week.

What is more, incidence of influenza-like illness last week is 3.72 percent, equaling to the highest data in the past two years. Research shows that H1N1 and H3N2 are prevalent in Beijing now, with H1N1 taking the lead. Continued: http://english.peopledaily.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 @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 08:03:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Malaysia: Two officers at Intan down with H1N1

KUALA LUMPUR: Two administrative and diplomatic officer (PTD) trainees are infected with the H1N1 virus while 52 other colleagues are suffering from mild cough and fever at a National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) training facility in Ipoh. (Snip) the two trainees had been isolated and were being monitored while the others were receiving treatment.

"We found that out of the 109 trainees at the centre, 52 were suffering from mild cough and fever but they do not have H1N1.

"There is no outbreak. It is just within this particular group. So, we have taken precautionary measures to ensure that there is no outbreak in the community ... action has been taken," Liow said during a press conference yesterday.

It is learned that the trainees came from another Intan facility in Kemaman on Jan 10 and had travelled through Baling.

"The H1N1-affected trainees are showing signs of recovery," said a ministry official. Continued: http://thestar.com.my/news/sto...

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 Jan 18, 2013 at 07:26:29 AM UTC

ProMED: Influenza (08): (Norway) emergence of D222G variant & severity

Excerpt:

The association between a particular mutation in the HA1 subunit of the influenza virus haemagglutinin, D222G, and severe and fatal disease in cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Norway during the 2009 pandemic was investigated using pyrosequencing. The prevalence of the variant among fatal cases was 8/26 and among severe non-fatal cases 5/52. No D222G mutations were found among the 381 mild cases. This difference could not be attributed to sampling differences, such as body location of sampling, or duration of illness. In cases with mutant virus where clinical specimens from different days of illness were available, transition from wild-type to mutant virus was commonly observed (4/5), indicating that the mutant virus emerged sporadically in individual patients. In patients with paired samples from both the upper and lower respiratory tract (n=8), the same viral genotypes were detected in both locations. In most of the D222G cases (11/13), the mutant virus was found as a quasi-species.

Introduction
----------
Infection with the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus that emerged in 2009 led to mild disease in the vast majority of cases; however, there was also an unusual occurrence of viral pneumonia, severe disease and death in younger age groups than commonly observed for seasonal influenza [1]. In a large proportion of severe cases, conditions predisposing for severe disease have been identified [2], and host factors, therefore, appear to strongly influence the clinical outcome of infection. On the other hand, this novel virus of zoonotic origin differed from the previous seasonal A(H1N1) virus in the resulting disease profile; thus, viral determinants of pathogenicity must also be involved, e.g. it has been shown to be more pneumotropic than seasonal A(H1N1) virus in a ferret model [3]. It is important to understand better what viral and host-related factors determine the observed dichotomous pathogenicity profile.

Full article here: http://www.promedmail.org/dire...

Wikipedia: Viral quasispecies ("quasi-species") http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V...

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 Jan 18, 2013 at 07:41:05 AM UTC

India: Swine flu continues to spread and take lives (Punjab)

SANGRUR/BARNALA: Two patients suffering from swine flu in the adjoining districts of Sangrur and Barnala passed away in a span of a few hours. The demise of the two patients in a day has caused panic in the Malwa region of Punjab and it has pointing towards the spread of the deadly disease in the area.

Forty year old Satish Kumar of Sunam Udham Singh Wala in Sangrur passed away on Thursday morning while Sukhdev Singh of village Kaleka in Barnala district had passed away on Wednesday night. Both were confirmed cases of the flu. (Snip)

"Satish Kumar of Sunam' peelbad Mohalla with high fever had approached a private hospital few days back and finding complications, he was referred to DMC where he passed away on Thursday morning", said CMO.

(Snip) after knowing that the patient has swine flu, health authorities have distributed flu medicine to family members and other persons in the area, who had come in contact of the patient (Snip)

The 46 years old Sukhdev Singh (Snip) had been admitted at a private hospital at Patiala. Barnala Civil Surgeon Dr Baldev Raj said he had formed a team paid a visit to patient's village to survey the village and find the persons, who had come in contact of Sukhdev Singh. 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 @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 07:52:51 AM UTC

Canada: Edmonton nurses secretly vaccinated family during H1N1 crisis, inquiry told

While Albertans were waiting in long lines, and vaccination clinics were being shuttered as a drug shortage hit during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, a handful of nurses in Edmonton took matters into their own hands.

An inquiry into queue jumping was told on Thursday that public health nurses used their lunch breaks to covertly immunize their family members, bypassing thousands of people waiting up to six hours for their vaccinations at public clinics. It was also told that other nurses either reopened a closed clinic where stored vaccine was about to expire, or ferried shots home to inoculate friends, relatives and acquaintances.

"We were in a crisis," Susan Smith, an Edmonton nurse who secretly vaccinated 15 people after-hours, told the inquiry. "We were in an emergency situation and we had a very limited resource that we did not want to waste. My feeling was, not to waste the vaccine was more important than anything, really." (Snip).

The revelations shine a light on one of the most trying episodes in the history of Alberta Health Services. The much maligned superboard, then newly created, which took over from regional administrators, was under fire for seemingly allowing the Calgary Flames hockey team and people connected to it receive H1N1 vaccinations at a private clinic.

Panic was sweeping the country in the last week of October, 2009, as people clamoured for the vaccine, leading to chaotic public clinics and the heightened demand that contributed to a widespread drug shortage. People were turned away and clinics were suddenly shut, including those in Edmonton, on Oct. 31 as officials waited for more supplies. Continued: http://www.theglobeandmail.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 @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 08:33:24 AM UTC

CIDRAP: Early estimate of flu vaccine effectiveness in Canada is 47%

Canadian researchers estimate that the seasonal flu vaccine has reduced Canadians' risk of flu by about 47% so far this season (Snip) "It seems that this vaccine is cutting your risk of influenza in half, which . . . is still important protection, especially if you're a high-risk person," said Danuta Skowronski, MD, of the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Snip).

When patients seek care for an influenza-like illness, physicians in the network test them for flu and find out if they had a flu vaccination. Ninety percent of the patients who tested positive had an influenza A virus, and 10% had type B. Skowronski said the A component of the vaccine appears to reduce the risk of flu by 45% to 50%. There were too few type B cases to calculate a reliable separate estimate, but the overall estimate of effectiveness was 47%. (Snip) doctors caring for patients at risk for flu complications should not assume the vaccine would fully protect them.

The Canadian estimate compares with an overall estimate of 62% effectiveness for the vaccine in the United States

Continued with more info and links:  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 Jan 18, 2013 at 08:47:04 AM UTC

US: Flu Outbreak Widespread in West Virginia

ELKINS - The Centers for Disease Control said Flu season is still widespread in 46 states including West Virginia. But health officials said most people are taking proper measures.

The CDC said the flu outbreak is one of the worst in a decade.

(Snip)

Compared to last season, West Virginia is seeing very high flu numbers. "Even though we're seeing high numbers it's not going to go away soon we're considered to be in the high period until the end of February so six more weeks we have to go with this level," said Diana Patella, chief nursing officer for Davis Memorial Hospital.

In fact 1,400 cases have been confirmed in West Virginia.

(Snip)

Health officials said one positive sign is that people are taking measures to protect themselves from getting the flu, and to avoid spreading it if they have it. They said health departments haven't had to implement any further measures. Continued: http://www.wboy.com/story/2061...

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 Jan 18, 2013 at 09:28:35 AM UTC

Indonesian Bird Flu Outbreak Has Only Infected Ducks

January 18, 2013
http://www.irinnews.org/Report...
Jakarta, Indonesia:  Indonesian health officials have downplayed concerns over a fresh outbreak of avian influenza which has killed some 160,000 reared ducks since September 2012.

"So far no Indonesians have been infected by the new clade [virus group] of the H5N1 virus," Tjandra Yoga Aditama, the director of disease control and public health at the Health Ministry, told IRIN.

"The outbreak has only affected ducks. There have been no known cases in humans," said Muhammad Azhar, coordinator of the Avian Influenza Disease Control Unit. "We have taken necessary measures to control the outbreak."

More than a dozen subsets of the H5N1 virus have been identified - with numerous variants within each clade. Although new to Indonesia, clade 2.3.2 H5N1 has been circulating across Asia for several years, say experts.  Reared ducks began dying on Indonesia's populous Java Island in September, with the disease spreading to 80 villages in 12 of Indonesia's 34 provinces. Affected ducks show clinical symptoms such as torticollis, paralysis, seizures, incoordination, and sudden death.  Most poultry kept by Indonesians are chickens; only a small minority keep ducks.

"The origin of the infection was apparently uncertified imported ducks," said Emil Agustiono, head of the National Commission on Zoonosis. "But luckily we have discovered the vaccine [for poultry] and will start production in February. For now we're using the old vaccine and it's still effective."

The government needs at least another 25 million doses of the H5N1 clade 2.3.2 vaccine, and will compensate farmers affected by the outbreak, though the amount of compensation has not been decided, he added.  The Health Ministry's Aditama said many countries had reported the presence of clade 2.3 and there had been eight known bird flu cases in humans caused by the strain - three in Bangladesh and five in China.

"So far Indonesia has not seen infection from ducks to humans or bird flu cases in humans caused by clade 2.3, but I expect that generally the medium of infection is similar to that of clade 2.1," he said.

Health officials have advised that control activities in humans had not changed with the new clade, he said.  "Data on antiviral sensitivity is limited from the human cases, but there is no reason to expect a change."

In response to the outbreak, Agustiono said the government was strengthening surveillance and tightening the movement of poultry between provinces to stem the outbreak.  "The spread of the virus is epidemiologically controllable and we're doing what we can to stop it," he said, adding: "This outbreak has disrupted the animal husbandry sector and more importantly, is a public health issue."

Indonesia stopped importing poultry from Australia in December following a bird flu outbreak there, he said. However, there has been no ban on imports of certified ducks from other countries.  About 60 million Indonesians keep poultry, including ducks, in their homesteads. Indonesia's animal husbandry sector is worth US$2 billion, government statistics show. Agriculture Minister Suswono, who like many Indonesians goes by only one name, said the outbreak was not yet an emergency.
(more)

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

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by: History Lover @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 14:06:08 PM UTC

US: Flu outbreak pushes Pittsburgh-area caregivers to the limit (Pennsylvania)

(Snip) Pangburn, director of emergency services at Beaver-based Heritage Valley Health System, is struggling to stay ahead of the influenza outbreak gripping southwestern Pennsylvania and he has seen how bad things can turn suddenly worse in the emergency room.

During surges in recent weeks, 20 sick people an hour were admitted to the system's emergency rooms. Hospital contingency plans have been unlocked. Management has been meeting four times a day. Tempers are fraying.  (Snip)

(Note: Subscription required for the rest of the article but that above gives us all an idea of how bad it is in that area.) http://www.bizjournals.com/pit...

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 Jan 18, 2013 at 14:23:28 PM UTC

Flu Season Arrives on West Coast

http://news.yahoo.com/flu-seas...

By Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily Staff Writer

Some areas of the West Coast, which had seen less flu activity than the rest of the nation earlier, have finally been hit by the flu season.
As of Jan. 12, the region of the country that includes California, Arizona and Nevada reported elevated flu activity, up from normal flu activity the week before, according to new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The rest of the country is also experiencing higher than normal flu activity. Forty-eight states reported widespread flu activity, up from 47 states the week before. Widespread flu activity means that more than 50 percent of areas in those states are experiencing flu.

Thirty states are now reporting high levels of flu activity - up from 29 states the previous week. Ten states are reporting moderate levels, which is down from 16 states the week before.

Nine children died a result of the flu during the week of Jan. 6 to Jan 12, bringing the total number of child deaths from flu this season to 29.

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 16:45:13 PM UTC

When to go to the ER with the flu

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50...

Note: This would be a good article to print out and keep handy. I can remember those panicky times when my children were sick, and I didn't have any guidelines on when to call the doctor or when it was time to head for the emergency room or call 911. It would have been so helpful to have this list immediately available.

Usually the flu is just miserable, but sometimes it can be deadly

By Maggie Fox
NBC News

[snip]

Call 911 if:
You or a child has severe difficulty breathing
A child is making grunting noises with each breath
A flu patient has passed out or stopped breathing
The lips turn blue when the patient isn't coughing

Go to the emergency room if:
A child is breathing fast or has trouble breathing
Skin has turned bluish
A child is not drinking enough fluids
A child is not waking up or not interacting
A child is too irritable to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough - this can indicate a "secondary infection"
There's fever with a rash
An infant cries with no tears or has very few wet diapers - this can indicate dehydration, which can kill quickly.
There's difficulty breathing
There's sudden dizziness or confusion
"An adult with difficulty breathing, chest or abdomen pain, dizziness, confusion, or severe vomiting needs to head to the emergency room," Riviello says.

When to call the doctor:
If you or a child has flulike symptoms and a stiff neck, severe headache, severe ear pain or a very sore throat
If your child is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
When fever rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit repeatedly for a child of any age
When fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years.
If the fever lasts more than three days in a child age 2 or older.
If the child's chest hurts even when he or she isn't coughing
If the child's ribs pull in with each breath (these are called retractions)
If the child can't take a deep breath because of chest pain
If the child has severe chest pain, has coughed up blood or is wheezing
When do you know it's over?
"CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol.) You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings," CDC advises.

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 17:02:23 PM UTC

Scientists Try To Thwart Flu Virus By Resetting Its Clock

http://www.npr.org/blogs/healt...

by LYDIA ZURAW
January 17, 2013 3:03 PM

[photo caption:]
When flu viruses (in red) accumulate an escape protein too quickly, they exit the cell nucleus (in blue) before they've made enough viral copies to spread the infection.

Benjamin tenOever
Flu viruses can tell time. Sort of. And the viral clock-watching could provide a new way to fight the flu.

A study in Cell Reports describes how researchers tapped into the flu's internal clock as they search for ways to keep the virus from spreading.

Flu viruses hijack the machinery inside host cells to replicate. The theft is a complicated process that takes time. A virus enters the nucleus of the cell, copies itself thousands of times and then breaks out before the immune system attacks. Every minute counts.

"I like to equate it to a bank robber who knows that no matter what he does, he's going to set off some alarm," says Benjamin tenOever, a virologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine who led the research. "In anticipation of that, he times what the police response is to get from the station to the bank."

While replicating, the virus directs the cell to produce a protein that the virus needs to exit. The protein level serves as a kind of hourglass for the flu. After about eight hours in the cell, the virus has enough to skedaddle and leaves.

[further explanation at the link]

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 17:12:54 PM UTC

Flu Update: Are We Near the Peak?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100389606    

Published: Friday, 18 Jan 2013 | 10:48 AM ET
By: Bertha Coombs
CNBC Reporter

The flu remains well above epidemic levels nationally, with 48 states reporting widespread flu activity in the week ended Jan. 11, the Centers for Disease Control said Friday, but in some areas flu levels are coming down.

The CDC reported the total number of flu-related pediatric deaths for the current season climbed to 29, from 20 in the previous week, and hospitalizations also rose.

In a sign the season may be close to a peak, the national rate of flu-related doctor visits was lower for the second straight week. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness, or ILI, fell from 6 percent in the week that included Christmas to 4.6 percent in the latest report.

"We don't yet know whether we are over the peak," CDC Director Mike Frieden cautioned reporters during last week's update, saying that some states had been slow to report data during the holidays. But with two straight weeks of lower ILI, some analysts believe the trend looks clearer now.

"If it's down two weeks in a row, I think there is a good chance it's already peaked," said Leerink Swann health care analyst Jason Gurda, who's been tracking the numbers. The peak in flu could also mean a more muted impact on medical costs for hospitals and insurers in the current quarter.

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 17:21:28 PM UTC

The article is contiued at the link.

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 17:21:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Flu Prevention Saves Lives, Money

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

[These are just a few snips taken from a three page article, so the snips are big ones.]

[snip]

In response to the avian flu threat, Congress created the Biodefense Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in 2006 as part of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act. Among BARDA's responsibilities is stockpiling vaccines and antiviral medicines in the case of a severe flu attack, advancing innovation to protect the U.S. against the flu, and insuring that the U.S. has a manufacturing infrastructure to make the country self-sufficient in combating a flu epidemic.

[snip]

The ultimate goal for vaccine research and development is a universal one-shot-for-life vaccine that protects most people against a wide range of flu variants. Previous funding from BARDA and NIAID may have brought that goal within reach. Five vaccine candidates that confer broad immunity against flu have advanced to the first phase of human trials. These candidates were developed by a group within NIAID that is working with the pharmaceutical manufacturer, MedImmune, under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.
[snip]

But seasonal flu, as tragic and expensive as it can be, is only part of the challenge facing public health agencies. The steps that agencies like BARDA and other divisions within HHS take also protect us from the threat of a novel flu strain that could strike suddenly with devastating impact. The worst-case scenario is a 1918-like flu. In that year there were 500,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S. and as many as 50 million people died worldwide. The potential for a repeat of a flu epidemic of such deadly proportions is the nightmare of many health care professionals. But antiviral development isn't their only concern

[snip]

Even among the healthiest people, a common side-effect of an influenza infection is a secondary or opportunistic bacterial infection that develops when the body's resistance is lowered from fighting the flu. These infections can be equally or more life-threatening than the original virus.

[snip]

BARDA has funded development of new antibiotics to meet the challenge of increased resistance to drugs currently in use. Last year, Congress incorporated the Generate Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act into reauthorization legislation for the FDA. The purpose of this legislation is to extend the exclusivity time for new antibiotics and thereby encourage their development. When these new antibiotics become available, they will provide additional opportunities to reduce flu-related deaths.[snip] Government agencies, scientists and companies are working together to achieve progress in an area that could present a great threat to our nation and its people.

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 17:56:28 PM UTC

33 Week 2 Flu Deaths In Minnesota Raises State Total To 60

Recombinomics Commentary

The graph (See here: http://www.recombinomics.com/N... ) highlights recent seasonal flu totals for Minnesota and reflects the dramatic increases in the past two week.  In week 2 Minnesota reported 33 lab confirmed deaths, which followed 23 deaths reported in week 1.  The 56 deaths in the past two weeks increased the 2012-13 total to 60, which is 10 shy of the state record for confirmed deaths in the 2010-11 season. Moreover, the 476 hospitalized cases in week 2, when coupled with the 401 hospitalized cases in week 1, raised the season total to 1842, which set a Minnesota record for lab confirmed hospitalizations in a season, and virtually assured a new record for lab confirmed deaths after the week 3 tally is added.

The vast majority of the deaths were adults.  Minnesota has only reported one pediatric death  (14F) this season, which was in addition to the death of a Texas resident (17M) who was vacationing in Wisconsin and died in Minnesota (the death was tallied in  Texas to raise their total to six pediatric deaths through week 1).  However, the week 2 report cited reports of influenza-like illness in 92 schools, as well as 46 long term care facilities (which was in addition to 28 reports in week 1 for long term care facilities) signaled intense activity.  The dramatic spikes in both of these areas indicate the flu is still taking a significant toll on pediatric residents as well as those over 65. Continued: 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 @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 18:18:29 PM UTC

Flu Mistakes: 8 Things We Think Prevent The Flu That Don't Really Work

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

[This article has a slide show listing 8 things that don't really help with a case of flu. We are well aware of most of them. The two mentioned below were some I hadn't seen.]

Swearing By Antibacterial Soap
Despite the fact that patients keep requesting antibiotics for their symptoms, colds and flu are spread by viruses. And while it's crucial to keep hands clean, expecting an antibacterial soap to protect you is a big mistake. Not only will those suds not prevent you from catching the flu, they may leave "a larger proportion of resistant bacteria behind," according to the New York TImes. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers still make the grade,

[snip]

Guzzling Orange Juice
You're probably reaching for that OJ for its famed vitamin C, which, you now know, may not be the solution you're hoping for. And while you do want to increase fluid intake to both ward off and recover faster from the flu, juice comes with a lot of empty calories. In fact, too much extra sugar can actually inhibit the immune system, WebMD reported.

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 18:22:42 PM UTC

Fight the Flu: 5 Tips to Boost Your Immunity Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2013/01/18/fight-flu-5-tips-to-boost-your-immunity/#ixzz2ILzuS6JW

http://latino.foxnews.com/lati...

[snip]
1) Ginger: Ginger comes to the aid when we're sick in some powerful ways. Besides soothing a scratchy throat, it has chemicals called sesquiterpenes that target rhinoviruses commonly known to be in the family of flu viruses. Ginger is also a natural pain and fever reducer, not mention its pretty great for your digestion. You can add ginger to certain foods; I like to add ground ginger to my oatmeal in the morning or shredded gingerroot to a juice.

2) Boost with Supplements: Immune boosters should be loaded with vitamin C, Vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acid. I have many friends that are huge fans of the Emergen-C vitamin supplement mix that has vitamin C, electrolytes, nutrients, and antioxidants that are great for energy. Always consult your physician before starting to taken any "new" supplements, and always try to purchase holistic based products as opposed to chemical laden supplements.

3) Onion And Garlic: If you want to amp up the healing powers of your chicken or veggie soup add plenty of garlic and onions. This combination will at least keep you from getting the flu from your significant other. However, they both contain antiseptic and immunity boosting compounds. I like to add garlic powder to my soup generously to help clear my sinuses.

4) Honey: Honey has always been knows as the natural way to soothe sore throats. I remember always taking spoonfuls of it when I was sick. It also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to help fight infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It is important to find the right type of honey though, so you need to look to see which kinds are available at your local grocery store. Note: It should always be just HONEY in the ingredients, also avoid giving honey to children under 12 months because there may be some health risks.

5) Sleep and Relax: Disease normally likes to cultivate when your body is worn down and stressed out resulting in low energy to fight illness. You will notice that its always those moments in your life when nothing else can get worse that all of a sudden the flu likes to pay a little visit. It is important for your overall health and well being to sleep and relax. Take a bath, get a massage, or go to bed a little earlier than normal. Plenty of both will give you the energy needed to fend off any ill causing threats.

[snip]

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 18:41:21 PM UTC

Weekly Review: Bird Flu Hits Mexican Egg Industry Again

(Snip) The New Year did not start well for the poultry industry in Mexico with the discovery of a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at an egg farm in the state of Aguascalientes. Around 3,000 birds of a flock of 147,000 died or showed symptoms, subsequently identified as the H7N3 subtype. This is the same sub-type as the virus that hit the egg industry in the neighbouring state of Jalisco a few months ago. A second flock on a neighbouring farm was also found to be infected, following routine surveillance. As a result, 285,000 birds have been destroyed on the two farms.

Following the bird flu outbreak in Jalisco, the country has supplies of vaccine, which are available for other farms in the area. vaccination is reported to be underway and the usual protocols of quarantine, movement restrictions and screening have been put in place.

The Aguascalientes outbreak raises questions as to how the market will react and if there will be any influence on domestic egg and poultry prices, reports the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). It also questions whether the Mexican industry will continue pushing as forcefully for expanded market access to the US, which has been restricted historically due to zoosanitary concerns, specifically exotic Newcastle disease.

With the last outbreak of HPAI in Jalisco still in mind and the country's egg farms not yet fully re-stocked, the latest news from Aguascalientes must come as a severe blow to one of the world's top egg-producing and egg-consuming countries. Continued: http://www.thepoultrysite.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 @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 18:51:34 PM UTC

Flu Deaths in U.S. Children Increase, CDC Says

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/...

By Shannon Pettypiece - Jan 18, 2013 10:10 AM MT

The number of flu-related deaths for children increased 45 percent last week as the outbreak remains above epidemic levels, U.S. health officials said.

There were nine pediatric deaths in the week ended Jan. 12, bringing the total this flu season to 29,

[snip]

The number of people visiting doctors or hospitals with the flu has also risen to 4.6 percent of patients, up from 4.3 percent the previous week, the CDC said. The trend is likely to continue across the U.S. through February and March though it may have peaked in some regions, including the East Coast and Southeast,[snip]

"We are right in the middle," Schaffner said in a telephone interview. "Influenza just doesn't turn off like a light switch. It may be that in many part of the country it has plateaued and we are seeing some downturns. But we are continuing to see patients hospitalized."

Last week, 8.3 percent of all deaths reported through the CDC's tracking system were due to the flu and pneumonia, above the 7.3 percent level for an epidemic. The current flu season could lead to 36,000 deaths, and is particularly dangerous for people over age 65, Schaffner said.

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 19:12:54 PM UTC

60 deaths so far in Minnesota as flu shows no signs of waning

http://www.startribune.com/lif...

Cases spike across Minnesota's hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

Article by: JEREMY OLSON , Star Tribune Updated: January 18, 2013 - 6:39 AM

Hopes for an early peak to Minnesota's flu season were premature, according to new figures released Thursday, which showed yet another spike in influenza-related deaths, hospitalizations and outbreaks in schools and nursing homes.

Thirty-three deaths were confirmed in the second week of January, bringing the state's total to 60 this season. Almost nine in 10 of the new deaths involved Minnesotans 65 and older, and other cases involved adults with other health problems, said Kris Ehresmann, who directs the vaccine and immunization programs for the Minnesota Department of Health.

The number of long-term care facilities with confirmed flu cases doubled to 107, and more than 90 schools reported outbreaks in the second week of January, as children returning from holiday vacations spread germs among classmates.

The season is deadlier than last year's flu season, when 33 deaths were confirmed. And the state is on pace to see more deaths than in the 2009-2010 flu pandemic, when an unusual H1N1 strain of the virus circulated around spring break and sent a high number of children into hospitals for flu-like symptoms. There were 67 deaths that flu season.

[continued at link]

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by: bgw in MT @ Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 19:23:43 PM UTC

Bronco Bill, it's Friday joke time!

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

My thanks to you and everyone who left the messages about me on the Community Open Thread. Y'all made my heart smile. UK - Bird made me ROTFLMAO with that poem. I left y'all a message there too.

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 Jan 18, 2013 at 21:19:42 PM UTC

Please post new news stories ...

...to News Reports for January 19, 2013

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jan 19, 2013 at 05:18:22 AM UTC