News Reports for October 15, 2012

Seasonal Influenza Discussed in New Online Video

The IAQ Video Network produces another educational video about infectious diseases, indoor air quality (IAQ), pathogens and toxins.

Each year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu.

"The flu is contagious so it's important that people understand the virus and how it's spread," reported Paul Cochrane, President of Cochrane and Associates, the company behind the IAQ Video Network and the new public outreach video.  "People with the flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. A person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose. We hope this video helps to educate people about seasonal influenza and how to protect themselves from coming down with the flu."

To view this video please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Continued: http://www.environmental-exper...

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 Oct 15, 2012 at 07:40:48 AM UTC

correct link:

http://www.prlog.org/11999083-...

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 Oct 15, 2012 at 07:50:16 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nepal: Bhaktapur reports suspected bird flu outbreak

Authorities in Bhaktapur's Bode have culled more than 1500 chickens following a suspected outbreak of bird flu (Snip).

The outbreak (Snip) initially killed 500 chickens out of 2000 at the poultry farm of a local Om Khadka.

A meeting of health officials is underway at Bhaktapur to confirm whether the reported case is of bird flu. http://www.thehimalayantimes.c...

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 Oct 15, 2012 at 07:54:56 AM UTC

Nepal: Avian flu traced in Bhaktapur farm

Samples of dead chicken from a farm in Bhaktapur sent for lab tests have tested positive for Avian influenza (H5N1), officials confirmed on Monday.

The flu had claimed around 1,400 of the 2,000 chickens in Om Bahadur Khadka's farm (Snip).

(Snip) authorities have culled all the chicken being raised at the farm. The team, which has already returned back from the site, said it has informed the locals about the situation and told them to take precautions. http://www.nepalnews.com/home/...

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 Oct 15, 2012 at 20:02:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nepal culls chickens amid bird flu outbreak

KATHMANDU - Health workers in Nepal on Monday culled hundreds of chickens and destroyed eggs following an outbreak of bird flu in the capital Kathmandu, a government official said.

Officials found the H5N1 strain of bird flu at a poultry farm on the outskirts of the city, where it was first detected 10 months ago.

"Around 1,200 chickens had died from bird flu virus in a poultry farm," said Narayan Prasad Ghimire, a senior veterinary officer at the Directorate of Animal Health. "We have killed the remaining 800 chickens and destroyed thousands of eggs," he said, adding that his team was conducting surveillance of the affected area.

The virus was detected in Kathmandu for the first time in December last year. In February, it was also found in southeastern Nepal. Continued: http://www.google.com/hostedne...

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 Oct 15, 2012 at 20:15:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Flu vaccines include protection against new H3N2 strain; seniors urged to get "higher dose" shot (South Carolina)

Despite last year's relatively mild flu season, Lowcountry pharmacists are reporting steady requests for vaccinations so far this fall.
(Snip)
It (vaccine requests) seems heavier this year, which is great because the vaccine takes about two weeks to kick in," (Snip).  the interest in vaccinations is good because flu seasons can be unpredictable and the more who are vaccinated, the less the flu can spread throughout the population.

(Snip) The last thing you want to do is to be really sick for up to two weeks. These days, most people can't afford to be sick that long.

Flu vaccinations - which come in four different forms this year - have been available since early August, but public health officials are hoping that people will heed the call as the holiday season approaches, which leads into the typical peak flu season months in January and February.

Last year's mild flu season was in stark contrast to the 2009-10 season when the H1N1 "swine" flu pandemic created early vaccine shortages, dire warnings from public health officials, extensive media coverage and public concern that ranged from panic and confusion to conspiracy theories. Continued: http://www.postandcourier.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 Oct 15, 2012 at 08:00:50 AM UTC

US: State Confirms Flu Cases In Berrien County (Michigan)

The flu has been confirmed in Berrien County. (Snip)  Berrien, Huron, Oakland, Saginaw and Washtenaw all have cases so far. http://www.wsjm.com/State-Conf...

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 Oct 15, 2012 at 20:06:51 PM UTC

India: 5 more suspected cases of swine flu in Indore (Madhya Pradesh)

Samples collected from five people suspected of carrying the H1N1 virus have been sent for confirmatory tests (Snip).

These suspected swine flu patients have been admitted to the private hospitals in the city (Snip).

Out of the 128 suspected cases since May this year, 36 persons were found positive for H1N1 virus and the disease has claimed eight lives so far. http://www.business-standard.c...

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 Oct 15, 2012 at 20:12:10 PM UTC

New report questions science behind flu vaccine efficacy and use policy

Helen Branswell:

A new report says flu vaccine is not as effective as public health messaging suggests and new and better vaccines are needed.

The report suggests the current vaccines offer moderate protection some years and less in others.

The authors say the problem is that having vaccine that is deemed good enough is a disincentive for the industry to develop longer-lasting and more effective flu shots - especially given that better vaccines would likely cost significantly more.

The report of the CIDRAP Comprehensive Influenza Vaccine Initiative was written by public health experts at the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

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by: pogge @ Mon Oct 15, 2012 at 21:06:58 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for October 16, 2012

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Tue Oct 16, 2012 at 05:24:32 AM UTC