News Reports for June 13, 2012

US: Flu legislation advancing through Assembly (California)

(Snip) On a bipartisan 23-9 vote, the California Senate last week approved Wolk's Senate Bill 1318, which would require hospitals and clinics to reach a 90 percent vaccination rate among their health-care workers by 2015 or adopt a masking requirement for those who decline flu shots.
(Snip)
Wolk insists the bill would help prevent the spread of the flu virus, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists as the eighth-leading cause of death in the United States. http://www.dailydemocrat.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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 05:11:25 AM UTC

Incidence and risk factors for H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza infection in flocks of apparently clinically healthy ducks

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 96 smallholder duck farms in Indonesia over a period of 14 months in 2007 and 2008 to monitor bird- and flock-level incidence rates of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection in duck flocks, and to identify risk factors associated with these flocks becoming H5 seropositive.

Flocks that scavenged around neighbouring houses within the village were at increased risk of developing H5 antibodies, as were flocks from which carcases of birds that died during the 2 months between visits were consumed by the family.

Duck flock confinement overnight on the farm and sudden deaths of birds between visits were associated with lower risk of the flock developing H5 antibodies. Scavenging around neighbouring houses and non-confinement overnight are likely to be causal risk factors for infection. With this study we have provided insights into farm-level risk factors of HPAI virus introduction into duck flocks. (Snip) http://journals.cambridge.org/...

CIDRAP: Study highlights avian flu risk factors in ducks 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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 05:25:26 AM UTC

CIDRAP: Asia-Pacific region holds first flu summit

In a first for the region, the 2-day Asia-Pacific Influenza Summit began today with the goal of helping experts review flu control policies in the region's countries and establish collaborations for promoting best practices for controlling the disease. About 200 experts are expected to participate in the meeting, hosted by the Asia-Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza (APACI) (Snip)

Cohosts include the Influenza Foundation of Thailand and the country's Department of Disease Control. Other themes of the meeting are how to improve low influenza vaccination levels in the region, including those of healthcare workers, and how to gear national policies to protect those at greatest risk for flu complications (Snip) http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...

APACI Web site http://www.apaci.asia/

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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 05:42:12 AM UTC

CIDRAP: CDC launches older adult emergency planning resources

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently unveiled resources to help states and communities plan for protecting older adults during public health emergencies. The CDC said that, unlike older adults in group settings like nursing homes, seniors in the community are sometimes overlooked during emergency planning. It said factors such as multiple chronic conditions, cognitive and physical disabilities, and limited financial resources can make it difficult for some older people to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Its new 44-page guide suggests scenarios to consider for planning for such events as hurricanes and influenza pandemics and addresses topics such as how to best identify and communicate with vulnerable older people, how to leverage assistance from other community partners, and how to navigate legal issues. Continued: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...

CDC guide for older adults http://www.cdc.gov/aging/emerg...

CDC Web portal for older adults http://www.cdc.gov/aging/emerg...  

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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 05:52:54 AM UTC

Avian Flu Diary: Prepping For Pets

Michael Coston posted an excellent write up on Sunday, June 10, 2012 on his Avian Flu Diary website about disaster prepping for pets. The link is here and you will need to scan down the page to find it: http://afludiary.blogspot.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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 06:47:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bermuda: Unusually high level of 'flu cases reported

Doctors are seeing an unusually high level of influenza cases on the Island. (Snip) reports received by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit from private doctors' offices, laboratories and the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, confirm an increase in the number of individuals being seen with respiratory symptoms and cases of confirmed influenza.

(Snip) "The rise in cases of severe respiratory illness, including influenza cases requiring hospital care, is above the level ordinarily seen at this time of the year and is an unusual occurrence in late spring.

"This situation reminds us that influenza and influenza-like illnesses can remain a threat to the community long after the usual peak season during the winter months of January and February."

She added: "If you, or a family member, have been in contact with a person that has been ill with flu-like symptoms and you develop a high fever, cough, muscle aches or become unwell, you are encouraged to telephone your doctor for advice. It is important to seek early medical advice and/or attention if symptoms are severe. Continued: http://www.royalgazette.com/ar...

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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 16:06:37 PM UTC

India: TN intensifies preventive steps to combat dengue, swine flu (Tamil Nadu)

Chennai,June13(PTI) The Tamil Nadu government today said 36 people have died due to dengue this year while 204 persons tested positive for swine flu virus even as it intensified preventive steps to control their spread.

Appealing to the public not to panic, an official release said dengue cases were widely seen in Tirunelveli district from April and preventive measures were taken to stop its spread on war-footing.
(Snip)
A committee, comprising top government officers and Department secretaries, today met at the Secretariat to take stock of the situation (Snip) It said 2,566 persons were affected by dengue fever this year of which 36 people died.

On the spread of swineflu, it said 204 persons tested positive for the virus. In April, four persons died due to swine flu while two died in June, it added. There was sufficient quantity of the anti-viral drug "Oseltamivir" in government hospitals (Snip) a 24 hour call centre 24350496 was also established. The Government has also decided to train both private and government doctors in combating the disease and planned to conduct awareness campaign at all places. http://www.moneycontrol.com/ne...

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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 21:10:29 PM UTC

India: Dengue, H1N1 kill two (Tamil Nadu)

Dengue and H1N1 have claimed a life each in the two districts. Vishwanath (12), died of suspected dengue fever in Davangere on Tuesday while his nine-year-old sister Sowmya has been hospitalised in critical state.

A farmer of Kalkere village, Holalkere taluk in Chitradurga district has succumbed to H1N1. (Snip) the farmer developed the symptoms of the influenza after his return from a trip to Bangalore. (Snip) http://www.deccanherald.com/co...  

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 @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 21:16:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Correction

This is in the state of Karnataka, not the state of Tamil Nadu. Sorry for the error......

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 @ Thu Jun 14, 2012 at 00:50:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Airflow problems plague CDC bioterror lab

(snip)The area of the building with problems involves Biosafety Level 3 labs that can be used for experiments involving anthrax, dangerous strains of influenza, the SARS coronavirus, monkeypox and other microbes that have the potential to be used as bioweapons.

In February, air from inside a potentially contaminated lab briefly blew outward into a "clean" corridor where a group of visitors weren't wearing any protective gear which raised concern about exposure risks, according to emails reporting and discussing what happened. Research animals in the lab had not yet been infected at the time of the incident, the records say. (snip)

http://www.federaltimes.com/ar...

Meteorologist in Florida!?!  Now we're talkin'!!!

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by: Tempest @ Wed Jun 13, 2012 at 23:20:36 PM UTC

Oh great!

The CDC is located only a few miles from downtown Atlanta, which has a population of over 420,000. Atlanta is located in Fulton County, Georgia, which has a population of over 1,000,000 people and that doesn't count the 100,000's that travel through the area everyday. An accidental release of something like SARS or H5N1 that has been experimentally taken to the air-borne stage would be extremely dangerous.  

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 @ Thu Jun 14, 2012 at 00:36:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for June 14, 2012

Thank you!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Thu Jun 14, 2012 at 08:23:01 AM UTC