Flu Wiki Forum - Recent Comments

Nepal: Bird flu spreading fast in Parasi

Carol@SC — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:34:18 GMT

KATHMANDU: The government has been keeping the public in the dark despite the outbreak of bird flu in different parts of the country on the rise, it was learnt today. Around 500 backyard birds have died in Jhyalbas and Deurali VDCs of Nawalparasi district in the past few weeks. Following the outbreak, a team of veterinarians (Snip) was sent to the VDCs for a stamping out operation following verbal orders from Dr Ram Krishna Khatiwada, (Snip) the team had to return from the VDCs without any job done as they failed to receive a written order from the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) to carry out the same. (Snip) Dr Khatiwada said that the report of the sample was not ready. "It might come by Sunday evening," he said.

When asked about the team sent to the site, he said that was for the diagnosis and to make preparation for culling if the result was found to be positive. "We need to prepare for several things including financial matters before culling the birds in order to maintain international norms," he said. One of the team members said the condition in those areas was 'horrible' as more birds are being infected and dying fast. Sources said the birds of local resident Bal Bahadur Bakwal (Magar) of Jhyalbas tested positive for H5N1 virus in the central veterinary laboratory, Tripureswor.

The government had earlier failed to declare the outbreak in Budhabare-Jhapa, Chainpur-8 in Chitwan, Buddhanagar in Rupandehi and Fultekra in Nepalgunj on time. It may be noted that the authorities had revealed the outbreak only after The Himalayan Times reported that the government had been keeping the public in the dark. (Snip) the department is being run in an "unethical manner" and at the cost of public health. The government is once again trying to hide the outbreak of Bird flu in Nawalparasi district. http://www.thehimalayantimes.c...

Please post new news stories to ...

AlohaOR — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:10:55 GMT

News Reports for March 14, 2010

Thank you!

Egypt: Virus H5N1quay Left Vietnam with pathogenic stronger

Readymom — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:57:02 GMT

Hat Tip: Helblindi @ Pandemic Flu Information

Translation:

Virus H5N1quay Left Vietnam with pathogenic stronger
March 13, 2010 RFA

Reviews of Health launched today shows that A-H5N1 virus appeared in humans as well as poultry and pathogenic signs of stronger than before.

Dr Le Quynh Mai Dean viruses Central Epidemiological Institute said the latest research institutes and through more than 300 viruses isolated H5N1 influenza A-7 groups detected antigens on this dangerous virus.

Scientists have also found the exchange and integration between the influenza A-H5N1 virus circulating in Vietnam and is the co-evolution of gene segments between the different genes. (Continued in ENGLISH at PFI Forum: http://www.singtomeohmuse.com/... )

LOL!! Too much excitement!! n/t

Bronco Bill — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:51:16 GMT

yay1!!!!11

DemFromCT — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:39:56 GMT

Recent Active Diaries

Bronco Bill — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:36:35 GMT

For all who have missed the "Recent Active Diaries" link in the About blox....IT'S BAAAACCKK!!!!!

ROTFLMAO

Carol@SC — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:29:52 GMT

"Highly pathogenic avian influenza spreading to China"

That's a good one! It sounds like the "boys in Beijing" are trying to make like people from other countries (Indonesia & Egypt are named) are actually spreading bird flu to the mainland? Well, first of all, China denies having any bird flu cases (sure....we're all believing that one!) and second, I think they believe the world has forgotten where bird flu originated. Boys, there is not a chance in h*ll of that happening!

Hmmmm, they must be getting ready to announce some new human cases. Got to have someone blame!!!

China Inspecting Persons from Egypt and China for Bird Flu H5N1

cottontop — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:12:20 GMT

(Hat tip to treyfish)

State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, "on the prevention of countries such as Egypt and Indonesia, people are infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza spreading to China's Notice" (2010 General Notice No. 25)
Time: 2010-03-12 17:07:49

snip

With regard to countries such as Egypt and Indonesia to prevent human infection

Highly pathogenic avian influenza spreading to China's announcement

World Health Organization (WHO) 2 24 and 26 reported so far Indonesia has confirmed 163 cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 cases, including 135 cases of death; Egypt confirmed 99 cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 cases, 30 cases had died. Recently, the two countries have continued to bird flu confirmed cases, and appears dead. In order to prevent human infection with influenza A H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza spreading to China, to Egypt and Indonesia to protect our health and safety personnel, according to "The People's Republic of China Frontier Health and Quarantine Law" and its Implementing Regulations of the relevant provisions of the notice are as follows:

One person from Egypt or Indonesia, if fever, cough, headache, general malaise and other symptoms, and immigration should take the initiative to an oral declaration of entry-exit inspection and quarantine institutions. After entering the above symptoms should seek medical care immediately to the doctor explain the recent travel history to receive timely diagnosis and treatment.

continued
http://news.china.com.cn/rolln...

China Inspecting Persons from Egypt and China for Bird Flu H5N1

cottontop — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:59:15 GMT

(new article to me. Hat tip to treyfish)

snip

With regard to countries such as Egypt and Indonesia to prevent human infection

Highly pathogenic avian influenza spreading to China's announcement

continued
http://news.china.com.cn/rolln...

Weekly update5 March 2010

cottontop — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:35:17 GMT

Pandemi H 1 N 1 - oleh Redaksi 12/03/2010 . 09:12
Weekly update5 March 2010 -- As of 28 February 2010, worldwide more than 213 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 16455 deaths.WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.

Situation update:Summary: In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, transmission of virus persists in some areas of Europe and Asia but influenza activity is declining and at low level in the most areas. The most active areas of transmission are currently observed in parts of Southeast Asia and East and South-eastern Europe.
Recently, influenza type B is increasingly reported in Asia.Pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate in South and Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand, activity has increased and Myanmar continues to report regionally circulating pandemic virus.

However, the overall intensity of activity nationally is still low in both countries. Respiratory disease activity is declining in all other countries of the area. In East Asia, transmission of pandemic influenza virus persists at low levels in most countries including Hong Kong SAR (China) and Chinese Taipei or has returned to baseline levels (Japan and the Republic of Korea).

Of note, seasonal influenza B virus activity has been increasing in the area and is now the predominant influenza virus in Mongolia, China, and parts of South East Asia. Japan has also reported clusters of influenza B related cases.In Australia and New Zealand, overall influenza activity remains low and at the levels experienced at the same time in previous years.
No new cases of H1N1 influenza have been reported this week from the island nations of the South Pacific.

Influenza activity is low in Western Europe and has largely returned to baseline levels. However, many countries of Eastern Europe (Russian Federation, Bulgaria, Armenia and Moldova) are still reporting some increased respiratory disease activity compared to their baselines.

The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza decreased further in week 7 to around 3.5%.
The majority of those were positive for pandemic influenza and only a very few seasonal influenza H3N2 and influenza type B viruses were detected.In the northern temperate zones of the Americas, pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate at very low levels yielding an overall low and declining pattern of pandemic influenza activity.
However, in Mexico and Peru, there is a slight increase in respiratory disease activity, though the overall intensity remains low and it is unclear how much is related to pandemic influenza.

In Central America and the Caribbean, overall respiratory disease activity remains low in most places.In North Africa and West Asia, influenza activity is low. However, respiratory tract infections in the north western area of Pakistan and Afghanistan are reportedly increasing. Whether this increased activity is due to circulation of influenza is not known.In Sub-Saharan Africa, several West African countries are increasingly reporting pandemic influenza cases, though surveillance data from the area is quite limited.

Data from the rest of Africa suggests that influenza activity in most countries is low and transmission continues to be sporadic. Some detections of seasonal influenza H1N1, H3N2, and influenza type B are still being reported.The Global Influenza Surveillance Network (GISN) continues monitoring the global circulation of influenza viruses, including pandemic, seasonal and other influenza viruses infecting, or with the potential to infect, humans including seasonal influenza.

For more information on virological surveillance and antiviral resistance please see the weekly virology update

http://www.infeksi.com/data/ne...

Weekly update5 March 2010

cottontop — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:17:21 GMT

Pandemi H 1 N 1 - oleh Redaksi 12/03/2010 . 09:12

Weekly update5 March 2010 -- As of 28 February 2010, worldwide more than 213 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 16455 deaths.WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.

Recently, influenza type B is increasingly reported in Asia.Pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate in South and Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand, activity has increased and Myanmar continues to report regionally circulating pandemic virus.

No new cases of H1N1 influenza have been reported this week from the island nations of the South Pacific.Influenza activity is low in Western Europe and has largely returned to baseline levels. However, many countries of Eastern Europe (Russian Federation, Bulgaria, Armenia and Moldova) are still reporting some increased respiratory disease activity compared to their baselines. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza decreased further in week 7 to around 3.5%.

The majority of those were positive for pandemic influenza and only a very few seasonal influenza H3N2 and influenza type B viruses were detected.In the northern temperate zones of the Americas, pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate at very low levels yielding an overall low and declining pattern of pandemic influenza activity.

However, in Mexico and Peru, there is a slight increase in respiratory disease activity, though the overall intensity remains low and it is unclear how much is related to pandemic influenza. In Central America and the Caribbean, overall respiratory disease activity remains low in most places.In North Africa and West Asia, influenza activity is low. However, respiratory tract infections in the north western area of Pakistan and Afghanistan are reportedly increasing. Whether this increased activity is due to circulation of influenza is not known.In Sub-Saharan Africa, several West African countries are increasingly reporting pandemic influenza cases, though surveillance data from the area is quite limited.

For more information on virological surveillance and antiviral resistance please see the weekly virology update

http://www.infeksi.com/data/ne...

TX: 'Little ripple' in swine flu cases noted

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:03:08 GMT

Texas Children's Hospital doctors, others watching to see if trend grows

March 13, 2010 - Doctors have noticed a small rise in the number of flu cases at Texas Children's Hospital in the past few weeks, and health officials are hoping the coming months won't bring a repeat of last spring's rash of swine flu illness. "It's a slight but steady increase over the last seven to 10 days - it's a little ripple," said Dr. Gail Demmler-Harrison, director of the hospital's diagnostic virology laboratory and also with the Baylor College of Medicine. "But it's been a sustained ripple of influenza A virus detections. So we're waiting to see what's going to happen."

There were two culture-confirmed cases of Type A influenza in December, three in January and seven in February - all found to be of the swine flu subtype, Demmler-Harrison said. Five cases of Type A influenza surfaced in the first week of March, but tests are still pending to determine if those are swine flu, she said. Continued: http://www.chron.com/disp/stor...

Bangladesh: Drive to cull 1 lakh fowls begins

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:51:45 GMT

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - District Livestock Department yesterday started a drive to cull over one lakh (Note: 1 lakh = 100,000) poultry birds and destroy two lakh of eggs at Yakubpur branch of Kazi Breeders Limited here to stop the the spread of bird flu virus. Officials of the department said they will cull about 117,626 parent chickens and destroy about 210,000 eggs. (Snip) the drive would continue for two or three days.
(Snip)
Zahedul suspected that the bird flu virus might be transmitted from recently imported eggs from India. After the bird flu attack at Murshidabad in West Bengal, the government gave permission to import 20 crore eggs from India defying its rules that any poultry goods can not be imported from poultry industries of any country where bird flu has broken out, he alleged.

He said that they are very anxious for their other 19 farms in the district and Panchagarh after the spread of the virus. (Snip) they have already taken necessary measures to stop spread of the flu to other farms and chickens. They also supplied medicine to the poultry farms through their workers, (Snip) http://www.thedailystar.net/ne...

This is why I first started watching and tracking H5N1

maryinhawaii — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:20:39 GMT

I don't recall exactly how it first came to my attention or when, but as soon as I became aware of this deadly virus and it's potential to sweep the world with a broom that could potentially end our present civilization(TEOTWAWKI)I became an avid watcher.

Then along comes A/H1N1, a pandemic yes, but of such a mild nature that it makes all the "preppies" look like fools. Well, swine flu was never the pandemic we were prepping for, and that one is still out there and looming potentially larger all the time. Yet few seem to notice.

It's like Mother Nature has misdirected everyone's attention to H1N1, so few are watching H5N1 anymore (you, Carol, and AlohaOR being the exceptions). In addition, the relatively mild nature of the present pandemic has tended to create a "boy who cried wolf" scenario: No way my family will ever listen to any more alarms I send out about a potential H5N1 pandemic.

One thing i wish we could have on the main news diary as a regular feature is that graph we used to have of H5N1 cases by week or month, just to keep our attention on it. Also a weekly summary of such confirmed cases: I know there have been quite a few in Egypt and Vietnam and, I think, some in Indonesia so far this year. It would be helpful to have those summarized.

We need to keep our collective eye on H5N1, and not think that the threat has gone, or that we got H1N1 instead of H5N1, when it could well be history will write that we got it in addition to.

AI in poultry articles

bgw in MT — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:15:30 GMT

http://birdflucorner.wordpress...

Indonesia to establish animal derived infectious disease committee

March 10, 2010
Jakarta - Government is obliged to develop a special committee for animal derived infectious disease (zoonotic disease) after previous related committee, a bird flu committee, Komnas FPBI, had ended its term of duty on March 2010.

The urgencies had frequently showed up during the seminar of One World One Health: The Disease Battles of the 21th century, Tuesday (9/3).

"The Komnas FPBI has ended its term on this March, so we are now processing the next plan for infection disease control," said the consultant of Komnas FPBI, Arie Rukmantara.

The seminar which was held by the collaboration work between National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Influenza Pandemic Preparedness (Komnas FPBI), was also exposing bird flu problems and other infectious diseases in other countries, like Thailand, India, and Indonesia.

One of infectious disease control speaker from West Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Head of Livestock and Animal Health Service, Abdul Manaf Mustafa, claimed that West Kalimantan was one of the areas which had been successfully eradicating bird flu outbreak. "We received the bird flu clear status on January 2010," said Manaf.

On 25 January 2010, Agriculture Minister announced West Kalimantan as bird flu clear area, as noted in a Decree of Agriculture Minister Number 316/Kpts/PD. 630/1/2010.

West Kalimantan province had been declared to have accomplished the intensive and systematic avian infectious disease eradication in West Kalimantan within 2005 to 2009.

Manaf also mentioned that established commitment between law practices and cooperating public, have been the key factor for the achievement. However, he also admitted some obstacles had hindered the progress of avian influenza eradication, such as the lacks of veterinary human resources and infrastructures, also participation of public.

Source: Indonesia national newspaper, Tempo Interaktif. http://www.tempointeraktif.com...
===AvianInfluenzaIndonesia===Posted by Ida
_______________________

http://koran.republika.co.id/k...

10 Villages in Kaur Bird Flu Alert

Friday, March 12, 2010 at 14:22:00
BENGKULU - as many as 10 villages in the subdistrict of North Kaur and Padang Vases Ilir, District Kaur, Bengkulu Province, declared a bird flu alert. Status was determined following the discovery of hundreds of free-range chicken that died suddenly and the positive of H5N1 virus.

''There are 10 villages declared alert, and our officers are doing virtox spraying in all the villages located along the Padang River Water Jar,''said the coordinator Local Disease Control Center (LDCC) UPTD Animal Husbandry Department of Animal Health and Animal Health Bengkulu Province , Emran Kuswady, Thursday (11 / 3).

Emran said that 10 villages were sprayed Ulak Great Village, Talang Besar, Talang I Jawi, Jawi Talang II, Air Dry I, Air Dry II, Talang Padang, Wood Mountain, Gunung Agung and Responsibilities Island.

According to him, since January 2010, a number of chickens died suddenly and in a week in early March and as many as 320 chicken died suddenly. Village''along the river has been sprayed because we estimate the transmission through the disposal of dead chicken carcass to Padang River Water Jar,''he said.

Until now, the team, Partisipatory Disease Surveillance Response (PDSR) Kaur district instructed to destroy all the surviving chickens in four villages, namely as many as 99 tails. ''After the sudden death of 320 chicken citizens, we instruct the team in Kaur PDSR to destroy all poultry that are still alive,''he said.

Estimates, the bird flu virus into the District through trade Kaur kabupaten chicken because the village is a container for the Great Ulak chicken. ''We think this virus came from a container of chicken and was instructed to not accept the supply of chicken in the next 60 days,''he said.

Emran warned residents to be cautious and avoid direct contact with poultry. He also recommends to the citizens not to dispose of dead poultry carcasses into the river because it would spread the virus. ''Dead birds should be burned or buried,''he said.

The discovery of bird flu cases in the District Kaur made a list of districts in Bengkulu province are infected with bird flu has become longer. Namely Bengkulu City, Mukomuko County, North Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Central District Kepahiang, Lebong District, Rejang Lebong and District Kaur.

Two other districts namely Seluma District and South Bengkulu so far have not found cases of bird flu. ant, ed: run

Widespread H1N1 Low Reactor G158E In US Raises Concerns

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:41:09 GMT

Recombinomics Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

Low Reactor G158E In 2010 Swine Pandemic H1N1

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:35:57 GMT

Recombinomics Commentary

Recently released sequences by the US National Veterinary Labs in Ames, IA included two sequences from MN swine, A/swine/MN/8762-1/2010 and A/swine/MN/8762-2/2010, which have G158E.

Both sequences have a collection date of February 26, 2010, which represents the most current public 2010 pandemic H1N1 sequence and the first examples of G158E in swine pandemic H1N1. This polymorphism has been linked to a "low reactor" designation by Mill Hill and the CDC. It is also in the antigenic site associated with immunological escape from neutralizing monoclonal antibodies which react with 1918 and 2009 pandemic H1N1. The number of reported sequences with G158E is on the rise in Asia and Europe. Examples have also been reported in the United States although CDC has reported these examples as California/7 like, raising questions about recent antigenic characterizations. WHO has acknowledged inter-lab differences and has proposed a new standard using pooled human antibodies, which may produce uniform test results with lowered sensitivity.

The detection of G158E in February swine H1N1 isolates provides additional signals that the rate of H1N1 evolution is increasing. These sequences have D1381G, which is widely detected in human sequences including those in Ukraine and Norwat with D225G (Snip). the Minnesota swine isolates have a number of non-synonymous changes which are largely limited to swine isolates (Snip) only a handful of human 2010 sequences have been released. The largest number were just released by Greece, and 3/9 had D225G, which is another polymorphism being reported at increasing frequencies. The latest sequence from China, A/Beijing/22811/2009, was also just released. The December, 2009 isolate has 9 recently acquired non-synonymous changes in HA, once again signaling increased H1N1 evolution.

(Snip) H1N1 evolution is increasing, antigenic characterization tests are increasingly suspect. Similarly, the number of samples being collected and the release of data is on a decline, while the start of a new wave is being signalled. (Snip) http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

ROTFLMAO @ Carol!!

Bronco Bill — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:31:27 GMT

I most definitely did NOT see THAT coming!!! Thanks for the belly laugh!!

US: H1N1 flu starting third outbreak in East Tennessee

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:04:57 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- If you haven't gotten your H1N1 flu shot, it's probably time you think about heading to the doctor's office. East Tennessee health officials now say they are bracing for yet another outbreak of the virus. "Things hung around in October and there was a little blip in December, said Dr. Jay Hammett at Mercy Health. "I don't know what causes it, but it just came back into town."

Dr. Hammett expected the H1N1 virus to come back again, and he believes the so-called "Swine Flu" is just starting its third outbreak. "I've had about 7 to 9 flu tests this week. We had been averaging one two weeks ago."

The Knox County Health Department has plenty of H1N1 vaccines on hand, but doesn't expect patients to rush in. (Snip) One thing to remember is that according to doctors, the vaccine won't keep the H1N1 virus away entirely, but your symptoms will be less severe. http://www.volunteertv.com/hom...

Swine Flu Death Toll Reaches 1404 Mark in India

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:50:06 GMT

With three more deaths due to swine Flu being registered in India, its total toll has touched the 1404 mark. (Snip) one death was reported from Maharashtra while the other two were reported in Rajasthan.

(Snip) death toll has become 383 for Maharashtra, 299 for Gujarat, 196 for Rajasthan, 148 for Karnataka, 95 for delhi ,52 for Andhra Pradesh, 40 for Punjab, 38 for Haryana, 37 for Kerala, 28 for Madhya Pradesh, 19 for Uttar Pradesh, 13 for Uttarakhand, 11 for Chhattisgarh, 8 for Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh each, 7 for Tamil Nadu, 6 for Puducherry, 5 for Goa, 4 for Jammu & Kashmir, 3 for Orissa, 2 for Assam and 1 each for Mizoram and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

An official statement (Snip) proclaims 24 new Swine Flu cases in India and the laboratory-confirmed cases come out to be 29,904, now. http://topnews.com.sg/content/...

India: Swine flu death toll in Gujarat hits 300 mark

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:46:14 GMT

Fri, Mar 12 - Ahmedabad - Death toll due to swine flu has reached the 300 mark in Gujarat with one more person succumbing to the H1N1 virus today at Vadodara. Chandrasinh Patel (50) died at a private hospital in Vadodara (Snip)

So far, 1,497 people have tested positive with the infectious disease while two new cases have been reported from Vadodara and Ahmedabad, (Snip) Out of 300 people died so far, 290 were from the state itself while nine persons were brought to the hospitals here from Rajasthan. A patient fom from Madhya Pradesh also died here. http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20...

Vietnam: Conference reports new swine flu strains

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:19:58 GMT

Note: The headlines say swine flu but this article is about bird flu (H5N1)

Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - The (Snip) A/H5N1 virus has mutated into seven antigen groups since it appeared in the country, according to a conference on the virus in Hanoi to discuss last year's results and plans for 2010.

The virus's future development would be hard to predict, (national swine flu conference in Hanoi March 12). The same day of the conference, the Preventive Health and Environment Department reported that a 25 year old woman was being treated for the virus in Bach Mai hospital in Hanoi. She had fallen sick on March 5.

Five cases, all fatal, were infected with A/H5N1 virus in 2009 nationwide, (Snip) In the first three months of this year in Vietnam, there have been four cases of the virus, including a 38-year old woman who died in Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, (Snip)

Health experts warned that another new stronger virus could emerge from a combination of current strains to cause a new pandemic. Nga said the steering committee for A/H1/N1 flu prevention needs to step up its monitoring and quarantine activities especially in hotspots in case a new more virulent strain develops.

Residents should not sell, buy or kill poultry without testing first and should never eat poultry that has died of an illness. http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com....

National Flu Report

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:44:32 GMT

Reported Activity for Week Ending February 27, 2010. Flu on the rise in the South.
See map here: http://www.weather.com/outlook...

I haven't been on much lately...

AlohaOR — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:08:10 GMT

...but I happened to notice the same thing.

Now that was fast service! LOL

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:57:37 GMT

AlohaOR

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:56:33 GMT

I can't figure out why that one headline update I did on the Vietnam article keeps coming up blue. Can you fix it? Thanks.

Pacific Northwest is getting twitchy

AlohaOR — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:52:46 GMT

There have been 4 magnitude 4+ earthquakes off the Oregon coast in the past 13 hrs:
4.2 2010/03/13 05:20:17 415 km (258 mi) WNW of Bandon, OR
4.9 2010/03/13 04:53:41 410 km (255 mi) W of Yachats, OR
4.3 2010/03/12 20:31:23 402 km (250 mi) W of Yachats, OR
4.2 2010/03/12 18:29:57 417 km (259 mi) W of Yachats, OR

ProMED: Influenza Pandemic (H1N1) (23) WHO

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:33:36 GMT

Excerpt:

Situation update:
-----------------
The most active areas of pandemic influenza transmission are currently in Southeast Asia, however, lower levels of pandemic virus circulation persist in other parts of Asia and in Eastern and South-eastern Europe. In West Africa, limited data suggests that pandemic influenza virus transmission may be increasing in region. Of note, seasonal influenza B viruses have been increasingly detected in Asia and appear to be spreading westward.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data suggests that on-going community transmission of pandemic influenza virus continues to increase in parts of West Africa, without clear evidence of a peak in activity. Increased detections of pandemic influenza virus have been observed among sentinel surveillance sites in several countries, including Senegal and Cote D'Ivoire, however, to date, data is limited regarding the spectrum of clinical severity of cases. Recent increases in influenza activity have also been reported in Rwanda. Much of eastern and southern Africa likely experienced an earlier peak in pandemic influenza activity during November 2009 and late summer 2009, respectively.

Full report here: http://apex.oracle.com/pls/otn...

Japan has 99 million unneeded shots of imported new-flu vaccine

Carol@SC — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:25:08 GMT

TOKYO, March 13 (AP) - (Kyodo)-Japan has 99 million unneeded shots of imported H1N1 flu vaccines, bought for 112.6 billion yen, health ministry officials said Saturday. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is negotiating canceling part of the purchases with GlaxoSmithKline plc of Britain and Novartis AG of Switzerland.

The government concluded the purchase contracts last October under the premise that two shots would be necessary for one person, but later the number of necessary shots was revised to one for most people. Combining the imported vaccines with 54 million shots of domestically- made vaccines, Japan has come to have vaccines for more than its entire population of 127 million. Continued: http://www.breitbart.com/artic...