News Reports for September 3, 2012

Australia: Rise in visits to RHH for flu (Tasmania)

THE Royal Hobart Hospital's emergency department had an 18 per cent increase in presentations this winter on the back of an above average flu season and concerns that budget cuts were affecting patient care.

In July, there were 4565 presentations to the emergency department, compared with 3851 in July last year, representing an 18 per cent rise. (Snip) during August presentations were about 4000, similar to last year.

The latest flu statistics show the Department of Health has recorded more than 1000 notifications this year, four times as many as the same time last year.

Ms Holden said, however, that staff had worked very hard to reduce the impact on patients and their families. Continued: http://www.themercury.com.au/a...

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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 05:59:05 AM UTC

US: 3 cases of swine flu reported at Minnesota State Fair (Minnesota)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - A new strain of swine flu for humans has infected three people who spent time in the swine barn at the Minnesota State Fair. All three are doing just fine, and two of the three had pre-existing health conditions that may have made the flu harder for them to fight off.

The state health department says they are not nervous about people going into the barn, but they do say people with pre-existing conditions, kids under five years old and people over 65 should really think about skipping the swine barn this year.

One thing all three cases had in common is that they all spent multiple hours inside the barn.

One was a teenager who was showing a pig at the fair, the other was a woman in her 70s whose grandchildren were showing pigs at the fair, and the elementary-school-aged boy also had a relative showing pigs. Only the woman in her 70s had to be hospitalized.

(Snip)

Earlier this week, two pigs found to be sick were removed from the fairgrounds. It is not known if all three people who got sick came in contact with those pigs.

The health department does expect more cases of swine flu to be reported. If someone comes down with flu-like symptoms, they can go to a doctor who can draw and test blood to determine the strain of flu. http://www.myfoxtwincities.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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 06:09:13 AM UTC

US: Boynton prepares for 'unpredictable' flu season (Minnesota)

The University of Minnesota's Boynton Health Service is expecting a busier than usual flu season. With two new flu strains and a variant of the Swine Flu circulating, Boynton is gearing up for significantly more influenza cases than it encountered during last year's mild flu season. "We've got vaccine coming out of our ears already," (Snip)

Boynton is prepared to facilitate 20,000 flu vaccinations this year and will likely begin giving the shots - which are free to University students, faculty, staff and dependents - by the end of the month, Golden said.

"This flu season is very unpredictable," said Jennifer Heath, an immunization specialist at the Minnesota Department of Health. "We do not quite know how it's gonna act." Heath said the unpredictability of the flu strains this year makes getting vaccinations as soon as they are available important.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated last year that there were about half the number of flu cases as in previous years, making this year's numbers seem greater, Heath said.

The vaccine will cover the two new human strains, but it will not cover the variant H3N2v, or the Swine Flu.

Swine flu typically passes from pig to person or person to pig. According to an MDH release, person-to-person transmission is limited. "Right now, [swine flu] is just something to be watchful of," Golden said.

Students in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences who come into contact with pigs will be monitored and will follow MDH guidelines set forth for the Minnesota State Fair, Abel Ponce de Leon, the senior associate dean for research at CFANS, said in a written statement Friday. Continued: http://www.mndaily.com/2012/09...

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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 06:17:17 AM UTC

India: 2 fresh cases take H1N1 tally to 318 in Mumbai (Maharashtra)

MUMBAI: The count of H1N1 positive cases in the city climbed to 318 after two more people tested positive on Sunday. Around 103 people tested positive for the viral infection last month as opposed to 151 cases that were reported in the month of July.

On Sunday, a 35-year-old woman from Goregaon tested positive for the virus and was treated on an OPD basis. Another person to test positive was a 55-year-old man (Snip) had to be admitted to a private hospital. (Snip)

The virus has been showing signs of relenting in the city but the count of positive cases is still going up in other parts of the state.

So far, 746 people across the state have tested positive for the virus since April. H1N1 has also claimed 42 lives in the last five months, including two in the city. 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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 06:29:09 AM UTC

India: 18 die of H1N1 in August in state, year's highest toll (Maharashtra)

PUNE: (Snip) Experts have advised people to exercise caution as there has been an increase in the H1N1 virus transmission.

"As many as 18 people succumbed to swine flu infection in August," state epidemiologist Pradip Awate told TOI on Sunday.

Fourteen casualties and 218 positive cases were registered in April when the H1N1 virus had reared its head across the state after a considerable gap. After that, the resurgence of the virus was seen in August. In the meantime, between May and July, the H1N1 virus transmission was on the lower side with a few couple of positive cases and sporadic deaths due to the contagion.

"In May, there were 29 positive cases and two deaths due to swine flu in Maharashtra. June saw 40 positive cases and zero death. The virus transmission started gaining grounds again from July, when 205 positive cases and eight deaths were registered. The transmission reached its peak in August with the highest number of deaths (18) and 254 positive cases," Awate said.  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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 06:39:46 AM UTC

H3N2v Ohio Cases Increase to 102 in 25 Counties

Recombinomics Commentary

Ashland (1), Athens (8), Butler (17), Champaign (15), Clark (3), Fairfield (1), Franklin (4), Gallia (12), Greene (6), Hamilton (3), Henry (6), Huron (3), Jackson (1), Lake (1), Licking (2), Madison (1), Medina (1), Monroe (2), Montgomery (2), Morrow (1), Preble (1), Richland (2), Ross (7), Union (1), Warren (1).

The above list represents the August 31 tally of H3N2v cases confirmed in Ohio by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).  The number of cases increased from 99 to 102, while the number of counties increased from 23 remained to 25.  These short term increases signal increased testing, but also strongly suggests that many of the totals will represent serious undercounts.

The two new counties were Madison, which reported the first fatal H3N2v case (61F), and Lake which reported a case with no known swine exposure, which again signals community transmission.  The CDC also released another Ohio sequence (Snip), which was collected on August 5 and has NA N234D, which abolishes the glycosylation site.  Sequences from West Virginia (Snip) collected on August 9 and media reports indicate the 3 cases in Mason County, West Virginia attended the Gallia Junior County Fair. These sequences matched Indiana sequences.  Moreover, sequences from Kentucky, (Snip) collected on August 5 were released, strongly suggesting these sequences were from a previously reported seasonal H3N2 case.

The 6 "seasonal" H3N2 cases in Ashland, Kentucky did not attend fairs in Ohio or West Virginia, but the tri-state cluster remains curious. West Virginia is also reporting "seasonal" H3 raising concerns that H3N2v cases in West Virgina and Kentury are being misdiagnosed because of limitations in the CDC RT-PCR test and expectations of seasonal H3N2 in cases with no swine exposure. 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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 06:55:38 AM UTC

US: First Confirmed Case Of H3N2v Reported In Ashland County (Ohio)

The first confirmed case of the H3N2v virus, or swine flu, has been reported in Ashland County. (Snip) a 14-month-old infant has been confirmed to have the virus when tested in August after having visited the swine barn at the Medina County Fair. (Snip) the infant's seven-year-old sibling also has shown some similar symptoms and is considered a probable case, although testing negative for the virus.

The Ohio Department of Health is currently reporting 102 cases (Snip)

The Centers for Disease Control has sent a directive to county fairs in Ohio to not permit baby strollers in hog barns due to the risk of contracting the virus.

Health officials say H3N2v, like many other viruses, has the greatest potential to impact those with weakened immune systems. http://www.wmfd.com/local-news...

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 07:02:40 AM UTC

India: H1N1 kills Panvel road contractor; Maharashtra toll touches 61

The increasing scourge of swine flu in Maharashtra has claimed yet another life. A 52-year-old road contractor from Panvel, RV Deshmukh, passed away on Saturday at Bombay Hospital due to septicaemia and multi-organ failure caused by the H1N1 virus.

Deshmukh was admitted to the hospital on August 19 with what was presumed to be pneumonia. (Snip) he was first admitted to a hospital close to his residence with symptoms of cough, fever and breathlessness after which, he was shifted to Bombay Hospital.

"The patient was already on Tamiflu (the prescribed drug to treat H1N1) because, even though the swine flu diagnosis was not made, doctors at the previous hospital suspected he might have contracted the virus," (Snip)

Despite being on the treatment for H1N1, Deshmukh's condition deteriorated rapidly. He was not maintaining sufficient oxygen levels and hence, the doctors incubated him and put him on a ventilator. Deshmukh was kept on dialysis for seven to eight days due to his renal failure and was also treated with multiple antibiotics. (Snip) Deshmukh's lungs failed, his blood pressure dropped alarmingly and ultimately, his kidneys stopped functioning.

Since April 2012, Maharashtra has seen 700 positive cases of H1N1 resulting in 61 deaths. This is a huge increase when compared to figures of H1N1 cases from April 2011 to March 2012, which stood at 316 cases and 12 deaths. There have been 254 positive H1N1 cases and 19 deaths recorded in the state in August alone.

Mumbai has seen 318 positive H1N1 cases and three deaths since the beginning of the year. Continued: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai...

(Note: This sounds like a case of Tamiflu resistant H1N1 swine flu. I hope they will do a sequence on his sample to find out for sure.)

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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 07:14:09 AM UTC

India: Odisha government sounds swine flu alert

BHUBANESWAR: A woman tested positive for swine flu in the state on Sunday taking the number of H1N1 cases to two. The government, meanwhile, has sounded a flu alert. TOI was first to report the return of the dreaded disease in the state this year, which had killed 32 people in Odisha in 2010.

"We tested six samples on Sunday of which one tested positive for H1N1," (Snip)

The 51-year-old woman, who has been found H1N1 positive, might have contracted the disease from the first flu patient as they were admitted to the same intensive care unit (ICU).

Three other samples from the same hospital and two from another hospital tested negative. So far this year, RMRC has tested samples from 22 patients for H1N1. "All the samples had come from private hospitals," the RMRC director said. Hospital sources said conditions of both the women are stable and they were out of danger.

Director, public health services, Dr Prasad Kumar Patnaik, said the government had alerted the chief district medical officers (CDMOs) to remain vigilant towards H1N1 symptoms. "The CDMOs have been told to send samples from any suspected patient to RMRC and refer patients to hospitals where required facilities are available."

The government, however, has not issued specific health advisories to public so far. "We will hold a review meeting of the emerging situation on Monday to ensure preparedness. If needed, health advisories will be issued after that," (Snip) the government was well prepared with sufficient stock of Tamiflu (Snip). 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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 07:24:14 AM UTC

India: City hosps ready for flu challenge (Uttar Pradesh)

ALLAHABAD: Alarmed over increasing cases of swine flu in the state capital, district health authorities on Sunday claimed to have equipped three government hospitals with kits to treat the patients of the said disease if any. Although, no case of swine flu has been reported from Sangam City till date, district health authorities have been cautioning the citizens to take the precautions regarding swine flu.

(Snip) "We have equipped our hospitals with swine flu kits to treat patients if any. Doctors have been maintaining a strict watch on development and confirmed that no such case was reported till date." (Snip) citizens especially those travelling the affected areas have been advised to take precautions in all circumstances. Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

(Note: There may not have been any flu cases in Sangam City yet but there have been some in other areas of the state of Uttar Pradesh.)

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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 07:44:30 AM UTC

India: Swine flu cases in Lucknow reach to 56 (Uttar Pradesh)

56 people have been tested positive with the deadly swine in Lucknonw, the Uttar Pradesh capital. (Snip) The rise in the cases of swine flu has sent alarm bells ringing in the state health department, as the number of cases has dramatically increased in a fortnight. (Snip)

The first case of swine flu came to light on Aug 22 when a retired doctor fell prey to the H1N1 virus and died later. Later five people found positive with the swine flu. The disease showed presence in restricted areas in and around the Sultanpur road here and near the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science (SGPGIMS).

Of the recent patients tested positive for the disease, two patients have come from Bihar while one has come from Madhya Pradesh.

(Snip) hospitals have been put on alert about symptoms of swine flu and have been asked to take extra precautions while screening patients with similar symptoms.

(Snip) head of SGPGI's microbiology department said that precautions were being taken to check the further spread of this deadly disease. Among those affected with swine flu three were SGPGI staffers, two of them technicians. The other two are from the city's Telibagh area. http://www.newstrackindia.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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 18:01:37 PM UTC

India: Govt on alert after swine flu scare (Odisha)

The State Government has become alert after swine flu virus (H1N1) was found in the blood sample of a patient in the Apollo Hospital here. The Health Department has directed all District Headquarters Hospitals in the State to open special wards and to store Tami flu medicine for treatment of the swine flu-affected patients.

(Snip) 16 samples had been sent for test to ascertain if any sample was H1N1 positive. Only one sample tested positive (Snip) The centre became sure after repeat test of the samples. (Snip) a 22-year-old woman from Talcher of Angul district was the first swine flu-affected patient of the current year.

The patient is under treatment at the Apollo Hospital in the city. The medical condition of the patient is OK (Snip) In 2010, 32 people had died due to swine flu but last year none was affected by the deadly virus (Snip).

"We are fully alert and prepared to meet any eventuality. (Snip) If any other case is reported, our team will reach there to take preventive measures," said Dr Rout. http://www.dailypioneer.com/st...

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 @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 18:42:07 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for September 4, 2012

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Tue Sep 04, 2012 at 04:24:29 AM UTC