News Reports for October 26, 2012

US: Fair-related swine and human H3N2 viruses closely match (CIDRAP)

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...

Researchers report that swine and human influenza A/H3N2 viruses associated with an Ohio county fair held in July make a nearly perfect genetic match, suggesting that there is almost no biological barrier to prevent such viruses from passing between humans and pigs.

The authors sequenced the genomes of H3N2 viruses isolated from pigs that were exhibited at the fair and from several people who were infected with strains of variant H3N2 (H3N2v, the term for the human version) after participating in or visiting the fair. They found that the genomes were more than 99% the same, according to their report in Emerging Microbes and Infections. (continued)

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by: AlohaOR @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 04:02:50 AM UTC

Canada: Flu Vaccination to Protect People and Pigs Demonstrates Concept of One Health

Farmscape for October 26, 2012

The executive director of the Canadian Swine Health Board says there's a growing recognition among pork producers of the importance of being vaccinated against seasonal influenza.

The Canadian Swine Health Board is urging pork producers and their workers to get their seasonal flu vaccinations to protect both pigs and people and, to reinforce the recommendation, offered a vaccination clinic last week as part of the 2012 Canadian Swine Health Forum.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada regular hand washing and the flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and others from influenza.

Canadian Swine Health Board executive director Bob Harding says many of this year's health forum participants arrived with full expectations of being vaccinated. Continued: http://www.farmscape.com/f2Sho...

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by: NewsDiary @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 07:37:19 AM UTC

This 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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 07:48:07 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

India: Swine flu claims three lives in Jamnagar (Gujarat)

Jamnagar, Oct 25 (PTI) Three persons, including two young women, died due to swine flu (Snip) today (Snip). Rama Panda (25), Noorjehan Rafiq (25) and Chintu Ramawat (24) succumbed to the dreaded H1N1 influenza virus at Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, where they had been undergoing treatment, they said. These are the first major H1N1 deaths reported in the state at the onset of winter. Relatives of the deceased and all those who came in their contact are being given preventive treatment (Snip). http://www.moneycontrol.com/ne...  

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by: NewsDiary @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 07:42:26 AM UTC

This 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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 07:50:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

India: H1N1, dengue claimed 13 lives in city this month

PUNE: The city is grappling with swine flu and dengue fever simultaneously this month. While swine flu has claimed 10 lives this month alone - which is the highest number of casualties recorded so far this year, dengue fever has claimed three lives, including that of two city residents, and 161 people were hospitalised following severe symptoms at different hospitals across the city.

"Swine flu has claimed 10 lives so far this month. Among them, two were residents of Pune city, five were from rural parts of Pune district, one each from neighbouring districts like Nashik and Ahmednagar. One person with swine flu was from Karnataka who was moved to Pune for higher management. The patient later succumbed to the contagion," said S T Pardeshi, medical officer of health, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Last month, there were four swine flu casualties and 130 positive cases and the numbers rose to 10 deaths and 97 positive cases till October 25. Since April this year, the H1N1 virus has claimed 25 lives and infected around 500 people.

Similarly, three dengue deaths were recorded this month. Among them, two were residents of Sinhagad road and Kothrud, while one person from Sangli had come to Pune for treatment of dengue fever and later succumbed to the infection. Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

(Note: I've been following and posting swine flu cases and deaths in India all of this year and it seems to me that the total number of deaths being reported by officials throughout India are much lower than the actual number of deaths that I've seen. JMO)

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 @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 08:06:35 AM UTC

India: AP government reconstitutes panel on malaria, swine flu (Andhra Pradesh)

Andhra Pradesh Government today reconstituted the Group of Ministers reviewing the status and steps taken to control spread of malaria and swine flu in the tribal areas.

The reconstituted GoM comprises: minister for medical education, minister for health and family welfare, minister for panchayat raj, minister for municipal administration, municipal tribal welfare and minister for women development, child welfare, a Government Order (GO) issued by the Chief Secretary said.

The GoM would review the status of malaria and H1N1 in tribal areas and the steps taken to bring the situation under control, it said.

(Snip)

The reconstitution of the committee came in the wake of a rise in malaria cases in tribal areas and also H1N1, especially in the Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and other coastal districts. (Snip) http://newindianexpress.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 @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 08:23:53 AM UTC

Germany recalls some flu shots

BERLIN - German authorities ordered a recall Thursday of some batches of Novartis flu vaccine as a precautionary measure after the company reported the appearance of small particles in the manufacturing process.

(Snip) there had been no reports of particle formation in Germany or of any serious side effects during the current flu season.

The decision affects four batches of the influenza vaccine Begripal and one batch of Fluad. (Snip)

Italy's health ministry banned the sale of four Novartis flu drugs on Wednesday. These included Fluad and Begripal - sold as Aggripal in Italy - as well as two others: Influpozzi Adiuvato and Influpozzi Subunita. http://www.courierpostonline.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 @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 08:28:03 AM UTC

Alert Summary, Influenza, Laredo, Texas

October 26, 2012
http://www.healthmap.org/a.php...
Laredo, Texas:  Dora Gamez began experiencing flu-like symptoms two weeks ago, her fever running high and her body aching from head to toe.  As soon as she got well, though, her 10-year-old son, Demetrio, fell ill.  Gamez was among the parents who took their children Wednesday to Farias Elementary School to vaccinate them from influenza.

Local officials say reports of flu-like illness are on the rise in Laredo communities. Last week, Laredo and United ISD officials said their schools have seen absences increase as nurses are sending home students who exhibit symptoms, including high fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat and cough.  Dr. Francisco Cervantes, a local pediatrician, said he saw 78 patients two weeks ago who tested positive for influenza B.  The City of Laredo Health Department has said influenza B represents a majority of the 11 cases that it has confirmed locally.  Last week, Cervantes saw about 40 cases, approximately the same amount he has seen through Tuesday this week.  He noted that he does not report confirmed cases to the city Health Department.  Cervantes said "this week is going to be the peak or the beginning of the worst."

Because only 11 cases had been confirmed as of last week, the city health department has not declared a flu outbreak.
(more)

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

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by: History Lover @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 12:49:06 PM UTC

Officials Confirm 14 Cases of Flu in Gregg County

October 26, 2012
http://www.news-journal.com/fe...
GHealth officials urge citizens to get immunized for the flu after confirming 14 cases of rapid flu A and B in Gregg County since Oct. 1, the beginning of flu season.

"It is very early in the season," said George Roberts, CEO of the Northeast Public Health District. "We encourage everyone to get vaccinated now."

According to Roberts, flu season peaks around the end of January and beginning of February, therefore, it is imperative to get vaccinated before the season is well underway.  Each year the flu vaccine changes, making it necessary for everyone to get vaccinated again.

"Researchers choose which strains are necessary to vaccinate each year," Roberts said.
The Centers for Disease Control reported this year's vaccine will be composed of three strains of the influenza virus, an H1N1 virus, an H3N2 virus and a B virus, and has been approved for manufacture by six companies.
(more)

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

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by: History Lover @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 12:50:41 PM UTC

India: Bird flu claims 3000 turkeys near Bangalore (Karnataka)

Bangalore, Oct 26 - Over 3,000 turkeys died due to bird flu at the state-run central poultry development organisation in Hessarghatta on the city's outskirts, forcing the authorities to sound red alert, Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister Ravi Naik Belamagi said Friday.

"The high security animal disease lab at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh confirmed the death of 3,400 turkeys at the poultry research centre due to bird flu 10 days ago," (Snip). the authorities have quarantined the research centre and declared the area within one-kilemetre radius around the centre as an infected zone.

(Snip)

"We have deployed 25 teams of rapid response teams in 10km radius to check traces of the deadly virus in other birds and alerted the state forest department to observe any change in the migratory birds and crows," (Snip). The animal husbandry department has also culled the remaining stock of turkeys to prevent the bird flu from spreading and the 150 acres of area around the research centre was disinfected.

"We have set up checkposts to track the movement of poultry birds from the infected zone to other places, banned their sale and consumption of their meat," said Animal Husbandry Secretary Arvind Jannu. Continued: http://india.nydailynews.com/b...

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 @ Fri Oct 26, 2012 at 21:32:10 PM UTC

Canada suspends dispersal of Novartis flu shots following similar move in Europe

Canadian Press via Maclean's:

TORONTO - Canada is following the lead of several European countries and suspending distribution of flu vaccine made by the pharmaceutical firm Novartis.

The decision relates to the discovery by the company of tiny clumps of virus particles in some batches of flu vaccines made at the Novartis production facility in Italy.

Health Canada, which announced the move, said Novartis has agreed to suspend distribution of its vaccines - sold in Canada as Fluad and Agriflu - while the department investigates the situation.

 

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by: pogge @ Sat Oct 27, 2012 at 02:20:07 AM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for October 27, 2012.

Thank you.

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by: AlohaOR @ Sat Oct 27, 2012 at 04:49:32 AM UTC