News Reports for July 6, 2012

New Zealand: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

Auckland and Canterbury's health systems are being stretched by flu outbreaks, and now doctors in the Capital are urging residents to prevent the virus spreading there. Wellington's sitting above the national average for flu cases over the past week, but hasn't yet reached the numbers seen in Canterbury or Auckland.

In Auckland, a serious spike in influenza cases has put major strain on the region's health services, leading to concern the outbreak could cause a surge of hospital admissions and deaths. Continued: http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/...  

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 01:53:27 AM UTC

India: Experts baffled as both young and old affected by H1N1

MUMBAI: The death of a 13-year-old girl at Belapur has baffled experts. Many had echoed the global community saying H1N1 was more like a seasonal flu. But after 17 deaths in the state, they are asking if the virus is being underestimated.

The state has raced ahead of others in H1N1 casualties this year. Of the deceased, seven were healthy individuals aged 20-40 years. Interestingly, this age-group is considered least likely to fall prey to the virus in the post-pandemic phase. An equal number of casualties were reported in the 50-plus age-group, considered vulnerable if they have underlying health conditions. The virus has also claimed the lives of two teenagers and a toddler.

State epidemiologist Dr Pradeep Awate surveillance has been made stringent. "Yes, we are witnessing more cases in the monsoon. But, it would be wrong to say cases are unusually high," he said. He said doctors across the state are being alerted so that H1N1 is not misdiagnosed. "If treated in time, H1N1 is absolutely curable," he said. The government is yet to find out why H1N1 has hit Maharashtra harder than any other state.

But experts caution indiscriminate testing should not be encouraged. Physician Dr Pratik Samdani, who consults at Breach Candy Hospital, said there are many cases of viral fever but H1N1 is not suspected in all. "H1N1 cases are not that many. At the same time, given the dip in temperature, a slight increase in cases in expected," he said, adding people often insist on getting tested on their own. "People need not be alarmed but they should be watchful," he said.

Specialist in paediatric infectious diseases at Kokilaben Hospital, Dr Tanu Singhal, said OPDs are flooded with cases of flu-like illnesses. Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

(Note: Hmmm, it's strange they don't want to do more testing right now and they don't even want people to get tested on their own. Sounds to me like they don't want the true number of cases known.)

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 06:05:30 AM UTC

Mexico destroys 1 million chickens for bird flu

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- An outbreak of the H7N3 bird flu virus in western Mexico has infected about 2.5 million chickens and led authorities to destroy or dispose of almost a million birds.

(Snip) 129 farms in the western state of Jalisco have been inspected. Flu was confirmed in birds at 24 of the sites, and tests continued on most of the rest. The farms in question have been placed under quarantine (Snip) http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/s...  

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 06:26:18 AM UTC

Thailand: Public Health ministry ramps up bird flu precautions

BANGKOK, 4 July 2012  - Following a recent outbreak of bird flu in China, the Ministry of Public Health is today ramping up further precautions amongst the nation's poultry farmers.

(Snip)

Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said he has instructed provincial health offices across the country to closely monitor signs of bird flu as damp conditions during the rainy reason are conducive to the spread of the deadly disease.

As a pre-emptive measure, the Ministry is urging poultry farm workers to immediately notify local livestock services if any chickens in their care died an unnatural death and to avoid cooking the chickens at all costs. (Snip) http://www.pattayamail.com/new...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 06:37:39 AM UTC

India: Belapur teen Mumbai's 1st H1N1 victim in 2 years

NAVI MUMBAI: After a gap of just over two years, the dreaded H1N1 influenza has struck in Mumbai's vicinity again. The virus on Tuesday claimed 13-year-old Sarita Chavan, a resident of CBD-Belapur.

Sarita was admitted to MGM Hospital, Belapur, on June 25 with slight fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. However, neither her fever and nor breathing difficulty subsided in three days. Worryingly, the hospital did not administer her the antiviral Oseltamivir, known as the best bet against the virus, within three days. (Snip) Soon, the girl's condition deteriorated.

On June 29, as her condition worsened, the hospital doctors finally suspected the possibility of H1N1 and contacted the heath department of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). On the same day, Sarita was started on the antiviral. "On receiving the call from MGM Hospital about the girl's condition, we immediately checked her, and sent her swab samples to Haffkine Institute in Parel. On July 3, her report came as positive for H1N1,'' (Snip) Unfortunately, Sarita succumbed to the virus the same day.

State epidemiologist Dr Pradeep Awate said Sarita did not have any underlying ailments as she was checked for malaria, typhoid and other probable diseases. He did not want to comment on whether the hospital was negligent in delaying proper treatment. "A lot depends upon clinical acumen and presentation of symptoms of the patient. But if symptoms persist, Tamiflu should be started within two days," he said. He added that the state was carrying out sensitization workshops so that doctors start treating influenza before ruling out other ailments. Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 06:45:58 AM UTC

New Zealand: Wellington flu spike looming

The winter flu is starting to take hold in Wellington with an increase in cases compared to last year. Ten hospital patients tested positive for Influenza last month (Snip) "The laboratory testing data for the region shows an increase in numbers compared to last year, but there has not been any sharp increase seen."

Mr Blackmore said Wellington was experiencing a later start to the flu season this year. "Anecdotally we are hearing that there is an increase in influenza-like illnesses in the community, however we are yet to see a major impact on emergency department presentations and hospital admissions in the Wellington region."

Environmental Science and Research (ESR), which collects data from GPs throughout the country, said the majority of cases were influenza A or H3N2, which is known to cause serious illness in the elderly population. Of the 94 influenza viruses identified nationally between June 25 and July 1, 48 were Influenza A.

The influenza consultation rates in Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti were double the national average but still comparatively low, while Hutt DHB had "very low" rates, an ESR spokesman said.

Christchurch District Health Board said the number of people with influenza had trebled in the last week of June, from 10 per cent to 40 per cent. Three cases of H1N1, the swine flu strain were among the Christchurch cases, but the majority of people had so far contracted the seasonal strains.

Auckland had also experienced a spike in cases and had the highest rates in the country, the ESR spokesman said.

Christchurch District Health Board reported three cases of H1N1, the swine flu strain this year, but the majority of people had so far contracted the seasonal strains.

H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B are included in this year's vaccine. Fewer people have had the influenza vaccine than this time last year, National Influenza Specialist Group spokeswoman Brenda Saunders said. As of today 954,610 vaccines had been administered. Continued: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominio...

---

by: NewsDiary @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 07:09:22 AM UTC

The above article was posted by me.

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 07:12:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Another Indonesian Girl Dies of Bird Flu

July 6, 2012
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/w...
Jakarta, Indonesia:  An eight-year-old Indonesia girl from Karawang of West Java died after catching avian influenza, bringing the total death toll to eight this year, Health Ministry said here on Friday.  The girl died on Tuesday in Jakarta after being treated in a hospital in the city since June 28.   She first got the symptom of fever on June 18 and five days later the girl went to a hospital in Karawang with symptoms of cough, fever and throat problem before she was transferred to a hospital in Jakarta.  She tested positive for H5N1 virus, which put the total death to 158 out of 190 cases since the viruses first attacked the country in 2005.
An investigation indicated that the girl had had contact with poultry as she on June 12 bought 5 chickens and cooked them. She also passed the market every day on his way to school.
(more)

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

---

by: History Lover @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 13:13:27 PM UTC

WHO situation update

http://www.who.int/csr/don/201...

6 July 2012 - The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has notified WHO of a new case of a human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus.

The case is an 8 year-old female from the province of West Java. She developed fever on 18 June 2012 and then travelled on vacation the following day to Singapore, where she saw a private physician who diagnosed pharyngitis on 20 June. The case returned to Jakarta on 24 June and was still feeling unwell with coughing, decreased appetite and vomiting. Her family took her for treatment to the local hospital. Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to intensive care, but died on 3 July. Infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was confirmed by the National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD), Ministry of Health.

Epidemiological investigation has been conducted in the case's neighborhood and nearby market, which revealed that the case had contact with poultry when she went to a market with her father to buy live chickens. She was present when the chicken was culled in the designated part of the market. (continued)

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jul 07, 2012 at 00:21:04 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ghatkopar man diagnosed with H1N1

A 54-year-old man from Ghatkopar was diagnosed with H1N1 at a private lab on Friday taking the tally to 68 in the city since January this year, (Snip)

"All the patients including the 54-year-old man who was diagnosed today are stable and have taken Tami flu treatment. The tally is rising because more patients are now aware about getting tested on time," (Snip)

The swine flu disease, which has been witnessing a resurgence, claimed 13-year-old Sarita Chavan (Snip) on Thursday. Sarita was admitted to MGM Hospital, Belapur, on June 25 with slight fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 20:20:42 PM UTC

This is India

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 20:39:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

El Salvador Confirms Fourth Death by H1N1 Flu

San Salvador, Jul 6 (Prensa Latina) The Ministry of Health of El Salvador confirmed the fourth fatality this year due to H1N1 flu (Snip) the victim is a boy, 16, who suffered from cerebral palsy and had not been vaccinated against the disease. Armero stated that the cause of death, which occurred in a capital hospital on June 9th, was being studied.

The other dead, two children and a women, 35, also suffered serious health conditions and had not been immunized (Snip)

Armero urged people to attend health centers for vaccination against the disease (Snip) Data from the Ministry show that from January to June this year have been confirmed 180 cases of H1N1 flu. http://www.plenglish.com/index...  

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 20:25:25 PM UTC

Belize on national alert for avian flu

BELMOPAN, Belize, Friday July 06, 2012 - Following Mexico's official report of a major outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority has placed the country on a national poultry health alert.

Border controls along the Belize/Mexico border are being strengthened and precautionary measures are being taken. Poultry farmers, especially those in border areas, are being asked to step up their biosecurity measures.

National alerts have also been implemented in other countries in the region, Guatemala in particular, and surveillance and diagnostic programmes for avian influenza are being increased.

(Snip)

The disease reportedly rarely affects humans and requires direct contact with sick birds. In humans, the disease causes conjunctivitis and mild flu symptoms.

The outbreak in Mexico started last month in three commercial poultry layer farms in the central state of Jalisco. (Snip) The sick birds showed signs of weakness, poor alertness, difficulty in breathing, were lying on their sides and had drooping wings prior to death.

(Snip)

This outbreak in Mexico is considered a threat to Belize and the region due to a previous major outbreak in Mexico (1993 to 1996) when the disease became endemic and spilled over into Guatemala and El Salvador.

The Belizean public has been requested to assist increased surveillance by not importing poultry products and reporting any importation to the authorities. http://www.caribbean360.com/in...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 20:33:03 PM UTC

Bronco Bill, it's Friday joke time!

To bad I can't post the jokes that I want to but if I did, then Dem wouldn't let me play on Fluwiki anymore! ROTF

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

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Jul 06, 2012 at 21:03:34 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for July 7, 2012

Thank you!

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jul 07, 2012 at 04:42:43 AM UTC