News Reports for January 29, 2013

Cambodia reports 2 more H5N1 cases, both fatal (CIDRAP)

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

Jan 28, 2013 (CIDRAP News) - Two Cambodian children died of H5N1 avian influenza infections today, raising the nation's 2013 H5N1 death toll to four and its case total to five, according to an Associated Press (AP) report.

Cambodia has had more H5N1 cases and deaths this month than in all of 2012, when, according to World Health Organization figures, there were three cases, all fatal.

The WHO office in Cambodia said a 17-month-old girl from Kampong Speu province and a 9-year-old girl from Kampot province died of avian flu today after being hospitalized, according to the AP story.

[Snip] A report today in the Phnom Penh Post said a 2-year-old girl from Kampong Speu was diagnosed with H5N1 Jan 26 after being hospitalized in Phom Penh. [snip]

The upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, starting Feb 10, could increase the risk of spreading H5N1, because large numbers of poultry are brought to markets during that time.

Related stories:
Cambodia reports 2 new fatal cases of bird flu in humans, surpassing total for all of 2012 from the AP
New Bird Flu Case Raises Fears in Cambodia from VOA

[AlohaOr's editorial comment: This makes H5N1 5 cases, 4 of which were fatal, within a month.  Clearly something is going on in Cambodia.]

---

by: AlohaOR @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 06:33:59 AM UTC

WHO: Fourth and fifth new human cases of avian influenza H5N1 in Cambodia in 2013

http://www.wpro.who.int/mediac...

Joint news release of the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia and World Health Organization

PHNOM PENH, 29 January 2013 - The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that two new more cases of avian influenza has been confirmed positive for the H5N1 virus.

The fourth case is a 17-month-old girl from Prey Nheat village, Prey Nheat commune, Kong Pisey district in Kampong Speu province has been diagnosed with H5N1 influenza on 26th January 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. She developed symptoms on 13th January 2013 with fever, cough, runny nose, and vomiting. She was initially treated by local private practitioners. Her condition worsened and she was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on 17th January with fever, cough, somnolence, and dyspnoea. Unfortunately, despite intensive medical care, she died on 28th January. There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in the village and the girl had history of coming into contact with poultry prior to becoming sick.

In the fifth case, a 9-year-old girl from Thmei village, Thmei commune, Toeuk Chhou district, Kampot province has been diagnosed with H5N1 influenza on 28th January 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. She became sick on 19th January, 2013 suffering with fever and cough. She was initially treated by local private practitioners. Her condition worsened and she was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital with fever cough, somnolence and dyspnoea on 27th January. Despite intensive medical care, the patient died on 28th January. There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in the village. This girl is the twenty-six person in Cambodia to become infected with H5N1 virus, and the fifth person this year and the twenty-three person to die from complications of the disease. Of all the twenty six cases, 17 were children under 14, and seventeen of the twenty six confirmed cases occurred in females. (snip)

The Ministry of Health's Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have gone to the hospitals and the field to identify the patient's close contacts, any epidemiological linkage among the three cases and initiate preventive treatment as required. (continued)

---

by: AlohaOR @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 06:51:30 AM UTC

New Bird Flu Case Raises Fears in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH -  (January 28, 2013 ) Two Cambodians have already died from bird flu in 2013, making a worrying start to the year. Now a two-year-old Cambodian girl is in a serious condition in Phnom Penh after being hospitalized with the H5N1 virus (Snip).

Sonny Inbaraj Krishnan, the communications officer for the World Health Organization in Phnom Penh, says the development has health professionals concerned. "This is the fourth case this month of human influenza H5N1," Krishnan said. "Last year we had three cases, so within one month in the new year we've got four cases, and we're quite concerned about that."

(Snip)  

The latest victims here were a 15-year-old girl, who died a week ago, and a 35-year-old man, who died last Wednesday. A baby who fell ill earlier in the month has recovered. Over the weekend officials culled and burned more than 4,000 chickens and ducks in the village that was home to the 15-year-old victim.

However, other diseases such as dengue and malaria kill many more people than H5N1, so Krishnan was asked what is the concern with avian flu? "Well our specific worry is that this H5N1 virus could undergo what we call a recombination and then re-assortment with another influenza virus," he explained, "and that could give rise to a new virus that is transmittable between humans - so that's our main concern."

Cambodia is a predominantly agricultural nation, and every village has its chickens and ducks. Health ministry staff are monitoring those who came into contact with the patients who were infected, and teams from the agriculture ministry are testing poultry in the affected villages and destroying sick birds.  

On Friday Health Minister Mam Bunheng called on parents to ensure their children wash their hands regularly, and stay away from sick and dead poultry. He also advised that children who develop breathing difficulties should be taken directly to the nearest health clinic.

Krishnan says TV and radio are being used to spread that message. "So from this week onwards we're going to increase the number of radio and TV spots - telling them how to protect themselves and their families from avian influenza," he explained. "Especially to watch out for children playing with chickens - and also a very important message is to wash your hands."

Cambodia reported its first cases of H5N1 in 2005 when four people died. To date the worst year was 2011 when eight people were infected. All eight died.

The country's weak health sector is a hindrance and likely goes some way to explaining why Cambodia's avian flu fatality rate of nearly 90 percent - 21 dead from a total of 24 infected - is so much higher than the global average of around 60 percent.

(Big Snip)

One looming complication is Chinese New Year, which starts on February 10. It is a time when large numbers of poultry are transported to markets, and that raises the risk that infected birds could spread the disease. (Snip). http://www.voanews.com/content...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 07:29:06 AM UTC

Cambodian bird flu deaths prompt awareness drive

PHNOM PENH, 28 January 2013 (IRIN) - Health authorities in Cambodia will bolster public awareness campaigns on H5N1 avian influenza after four people became infected in January, resulting in two fatalities. "Ongoing public awareness campaigns need to be reinforced through TV and radio," Sok Touch, director of Cambodia's Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC), told IRIN on 28 January, calling on people to be vigilant. "We're planning on doing this immediately as there is no room for complacency."

The four cases of H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, are the first confirmed in Cambodia this year. There were three recorded cases (all fatal) in 2012.

Since 2005, 24 people have been infected resulting in 21 deaths, according to WHO, with over half of the infections in children under 14.

According to a joint statement from the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) on 25 January, an eight-month-old boy from the capital Phnom Penh recovered after being infected with bird flu, while a 15-year-old girl from southwestern Takeo Province and a 35-year-old man from southwestern Kampong Speu Province died after contracting the virus.

The CDC said the boy had contact with chickens at a market, but the girl from Takeo and the man from Kampong Speu both fell ill after cooking dead chickens gathered from their villages. A fourth case, also in Kampong Speu, was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on 27 January, when a 17-month-old girl tested positive for H5N1.

"We are working closely with the Ministry of Health to enhance surveillance of H5N1," said Sonny Krishnan, communications officer with WHO in Phnom Penh, adding that WHO did not know yet if there was a link between the cases of the girl and 35-year-old man. "We just did a map of the two communes and they're not far from each other, so there could be an indication of a movement of poultry," Krishnan said. Continued: http://www.irinnews.org/Report...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 07:35:20 AM UTC

India: 11 H1N1 Influenza cases reported in city

(Note: Chandigarh is the city that serves as the capitol for both the states of Punjab and Haryana. Map link:  http://www.indovacations.net/I... )

In this season, so far, the city has received 41 cases of H1N1 Influenza from various parts of the region. In order to contain the infection, emphasis is being placed on contact tracing and providing chemoprophylaxis to high-risk contacts.

Eleven positive H1N1 cases have been reported from Chandigarh while the rest of the cases are from other states.

House visits for the positive cases are being conducted by the Swine Flu Cell of the Health Department, UT Chandigarh, for line listing of contacts. Preventive medicines (Chemoprophylaxis) are being provided free of cost to the direct contacts of the H1N1 positive cases. Continued: http://www.indianexpress.com/n...  

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 07:52:42 AM UTC

India: 3 new H1N1 cases (Haryana & Punjab)

City hospitals witnessed three new cases of H1N1 on Monday. While one of the patients (Snip), a 42-year-old woman, has been admitted (Snip), the other two cases from Haryana are under treatment at PGI. The two patients include a one-year- old baby girl and a 53-year-old man. The total number of H1N1 cases reported at city hospitals (Snip) has reached 40. These include seven deaths and seven cases from Chandigarh. 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 @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 07:57:35 AM UTC

Israel: 28-year-old woman succumbs to swine flu

A 28-year-old woman who suffered from swine flu died at the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba on Monday. Doctors said she arrived at the hospital in critical condition and that they were forced to pronounce her dead after attempts to resuscitate her failed. They said that she was not vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

The woman was the second Israeli to die of the disease after a 3-year-old boy succumbed to it two weeks ago.

(Snip)

Hundreds of cases of the H1N1 virus were recorded in the West Bank in recent weeks, with at least 10 people dying as a result of the illness.

Regular winter ailments have driven an overwhelming number of patients to Israel's hospitals, leading an official to call on the public Monday to stay away from emergency rooms unless there was no other way to obtain medical attention.

On Sunday, many hospitals declared they had reached or exceeded full capacity, with medical centers in Jerusalem, Haifa, Tiberias, Ashkelon, Tel Aviv and Holon reporting overcrowding that in some cases reached 150 percent of their maximum. Continued: http://www.timesofisrael.com/2...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 08:04:23 AM UTC

Palestine: Swine flu kills 25 in OPT in past few weeks

TEL AVIV, 29 January 2013 (IRIN) - Health officials in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) are calling on residents to get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus ("swine flu") after 25 deaths in recent weeks.

Over 700 infections of H1N1 have been reported in the West Bank and 20 in the Gaza Strip, and officials say the number of recent H1N1-related deaths is almost certainly underreported.

"The virus has claimed 25 lives to date, three of them in Gaza, and we are in the midst of vaccinating," Asad Ramlawi, general director of primary health care at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, told IRIN. He said 25,000 people had been vaccinated as part of a regular programme over the last few months, and an additional 25,000 have been vaccinated since the outbreak. "Right now we are targeting patients at risk of heart disease, diabetes, blood diseases and of course, pregnant women. We are seeing a good response to our efforts to raise awareness [of the importance of] getting vaccinated," he said, saying they had good stocks of the vaccine in reserve.

(Snip)

The latest surge of cases was detected in the West Bank in early December 2012 but the first cases in Gaza came to light in mid-January, with reported deaths in the Jenin, Qalqilya and Hebron regions, according to Palestinian health officials.

(Snip)

And elsewhere in the region?

In Israel, a twenty-eight-year old woman died on Monday night of H1N1 at a hospital in Beer Sheba. Previously, the only reported H1N1 death was of a three-year-old boy in the city of Petach Tikva in mid-January, the first reported in the country since the winter of 2009- 2010 when 96 Israelis died.

Since then, a large-scale vaccination campaign has been carried out. Four unvaccinated women have been hospitalized with H1N1 in the past few weeks.

(Snip)

Nine confirmed deaths were reported in Yemen in the last two months; three deaths in Iraq; two in Jordan; and 20 non-fatal infections in Tunisia. Continued: http://www.irinnews.org/Report...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 08:36:19 AM UTC

Canada: Wear face mask or get flu shot, hospital staff told

CBC Sudbury

A change in Sudbury hospital policy says employees who don't have an influenza shot and won't wear a surgical mask during flu season will be sent home.

Health Sciences North sent a letter to its employees late last week requiring employees to comply with one of two options: get a flu shot or wear what they call an "isolation mask."

---

by: pogge @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 11:55:40 AM UTC

Flu epidemic gets parents talking online

http://www.bakersfieldcaliforn...

Monday, Jan 28 2013 06:04 PM
By Jamie Butow

The flu is definitely going around, and the vicious virus is also a hot topic of conversation online. I personally spent much of the past six days cooped up in my house with a sick child. This flu virus was a doozy, worse than the pneumonia he's had twice.

As a parent, it's even worse when all you can do is give them something for the fever, keep them hydrated and comfortable, and wait.

[snip]

It seems that everyone has their own views on whether the vaccine is worth it. Personally, my son and I don't get the shot. It's been 25 years since I've had the flu and this was the first time ever that he had it.

He did get a flu shot in pre-school when it was required. But then there were those years there was a shortage of the vaccine, and he and I never fell into the "at-risk" groups, so I never pursued getting one. On the other hand, my mom gets one every year, and every year she gets the flu.

So who knows how effective the vaccine will be each year? But after the past week, I'm thinking I'll pursue getting my son the shot next year.

---

by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 16:30:56 PM UTC

FAO urges cash-strapped governments to keep up guard against bird flu

http://www.reuters.com/article...

ROME | Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:24am EST
(Reuters) - Governments must not allow financial constraints caused by the current global economic crisis to stop them keeping their guard up against avian flu, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Tuesday.
The agency, one of three international bodies that lead the global response to bird flu, warned of a repeat of the 2006 outbreaks, when the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus killed 79 people around the world and sparked fears of a pandemic.

Investment was vital to prevent a repeat of such a crisis, the FAO said.

"I am worried because in the current climate governments are unable to keep up their guard," FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Juan Lubroth said in a statement. "I see inaction in the face of very real threats to the health of animals and people."

Scientists fear avian flu, which is carried by water fowl and poultry and can be transmitted between birds, and from birds to people, could cause a catastrophe if it mutates to be able to spread between humans.

The virus has infected more than 600 people since it was first detected in Hong Kong in 1997 and is usually fatal. Bird deaths from the disease or culling cost economies $20 billion between 2003 and 2011, FAO said.
[snip

(Reporting by Naomi O'Leary; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)

---

by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 16:43:51 PM UTC

World faces another bird flu outbreak - FAO

"The continuing international economic downturn means less money is available for prevention of H5N1 bird flu and other threats of animal origin," Juan Lubroth, chief veterinary officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization, said in a statement.

"Even though everyone knows that prevention is better than cure, I am worried because in the current climate governments are unable to keep up their guard," he was quoted as saying.

The Rome-based agency warned large reservoirs of the H5N1 virus still exist in parts of Asia and the Middle East, where the disease has become endemic.

"Without adequate controls, it could easily spread globally as it did at its peak in 2006, when 63 countries were affected," the agency said.

The virus killed over 300 people from 2003 to 2011, as well as forcing the culling of 400 million domestic chickens and ducks and causing some $20 billion damages. Continued: http://www.manilatimes.net/ind...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 20:04:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

How the flu can hurt your heart health

http://www.sheknows.com/health...

Jan 29, 2013 3:12 AM by Christopher Magovern, MD

ANOTHER REASON TO AVOID THE FLU
For women with heart disease, influenza, or "flu," is of special concern - especially this flu season, which has been particularly severe and contagious. Women with cardiovascular conditions may be at higher risk of complications from catching the flu.
[snip]

Influenza raises risk of cardiac complications
As physicians, we worry a little more about patients with heart disease during the winter months, as catching the flu may raise the risk for cardiac complications. There are a number of potential explanations for this. The flu can increase stress level, which in turn will increase heart rate and blood pressure. This puts a strain on the heart and can make an already unhealthy heart vulnerable. The flu also excites the immune system, and there is speculation that this can predispose clots to form and plaques to rupture in the vessels supplying blood to the heart. This, in turn, can result in a heart attack. Because flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and sweats can also be warning signs of heart disease, it's important to be sure of what is actually causing the symptoms.

Know your symptoms - and when it's an emergency
"Getting a flu shot is a particularly good idea if you have underlying heart disease or risk factors for heart disease."
By understanding the distinctions between the flu, a common-cold and symptoms of heart disease, women can better understand what is considered and emergency situation and what is not. [snip]

Protect your heart health
For those with heart disease, it is critical to do whatever you can to avoid the flu, including getting a flu shot. Although getting a flu shot won't guarantee you'll avoid the flu, it will decrease the likelihood of catching the illness and may reduce the severity of the symptoms. In fact, two recent studies have shown that for high-risk patients, receiving a flu shot might decrease the likelihood of a cardiac event. So getting a flu shot is a particularly good idea if you have underlying heart disease or risk factors for heart disease.

Although flu symptoms for a woman with heart disease may not differ in severity from those without the condition, the ability to fight off the flu might be weaker. In addition, the stress of the flu (fever, dehydration, faster heart rate, immune activation) might provoke, expose and possibly worsen an underlying heart condition in women who may not realize a condition is present.
[SNIP]

---

by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 16:56:30 PM UTC

U.S. Military Little Affected by Flu Epidemic

http://news.yahoo.com/u-milita...

Sharp Contrast to 2009-2010 Pandemic Flu Outbreak

By Charles Simmins | Yahoo! Contributor Network - 22 hrs ago

The influenza epidemic that has been battering the United States has had little effect on the nation's military. That may be due, in large part, to the extremely high flu vaccination rate in all five services. The Department of Defense is also responsible for healthcare for many military dependents and for many military retirees, and those illness rates are also below civilian levels. This is in marked contrast to the pandemic influenza outbreak of 2009-10 that resulted in hundreds of illnesses in active duty military and forces postponement of some missions due to widespread illness.

2012-2013 Influenza Epidemic
[snip discusses high rates of flu vaccination in various branches of the military]

2009-2012 Pandemic Influenza
The U.S. military began vaccinating for pandemic H1N1 influenza in October 2009. Prior to that point, the military experienced a high level of flu illnesses and related hospitalizations, especially in young people. Both serving military personnel and dependents were affected. Between April 1, 2009, and June 25, 2009, the military treated 1,327 pandemic flu cases, including 722 in active duty personnel and 31 in recruits. Median ages for all patients were significantly lower than those expected for seasonal influenza patients. The USS Dubuque was pulled from a mission on May 5 due to an influenza outbreak aboard the ship. In August, the Defense Department reported that Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany had a cluster of pandemic flu cases in its patients that were acquired in the hospital.

2009 Air Force Academy Outbreak
In June 2009, 1,376 cadets reported to the Air Force Academy. A pandemic flu outbreak over the next month resulted in 134 confirmed and 33 suspected illnesses from pandemic flu. This outbreak is among the most studied in modern times. >Studies confirmed a number of suspicions about the spread of influenza, including the fact that the virus was still being shed by patients up to a week after the illness began.

The current influenza season does not seem to be impacting the United States military in the way that pandemic influenza did. The military healthcare system has vaccinated the vast majority of active duty personnel, and illnesses seem to be at or below expected rates among dependents and retirees.

---

by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 17:18:33 PM UTC

More Severe Flu Seasons Predicted Due to Climate Change

http://www.sciencedaily.com/re...

Jan. 28, 2013 - The American public can expect to add earlier and more severe flu seasons to the fallout from climate change, according to a research study published online Jan. 28 in PLOS Currents: Influenza.

A team of scientists led by Sherry Towers, research professor in the Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center at Arizona State University, studied waves of influenza and climate patterns in the U.S. from the 1997-1998 season to the present.

The team's analysis, which used Centers for Disease Control data, indicates a pattern for both A and B strains: warm winters are usually followed by heavy flu seasons.

"It appears that fewer people contract influenza during warm winters, and this causes a major portion of the population to remain vulnerable into the next season, causing an early and strong emergence," says Towers. "And when a flu season begins exceptionally early, much of the population has not had a chance to get vaccinated, potentially making that flu season even worse."

[continued at link]

---

by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 17:36:08 PM UTC

Scientists find genetic clue to severe flu among Chinese

http://www.reuters.com/article...

LONDON | Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:00am EST
Jan 29 (Reuters) - British and Chinese scientists have found a genetic variant which explains why Chinese populations may be more vulnerable to the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.

The discovery of the variant could help doctors find those people at high risk of severe flu and prioritise them for treatment, researchers said.

It may also help explain why new strains of flu virus often emerge first in Asia, where the variant known as rs12252-C is more common in the population than elsewhere, they said.

"Understanding why some people may be worse affected than others is crucial in improving our ability to manage flu epidemics and to prevent people dying from the virus," said Tao Dong at Britain's Oxford University, who led the study.

The research, published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, found that having the rs12252-C variant could increase the chances of severe infection by six times.

[continued at link]

---

by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 17:53:29 PM UTC

Mountain Medicine: Be prepared for flu season

http://azdailysun.com/lifestyl...

January 28, 2013 5:00 am  •  DIANA ROLLAND [Diana Rolland, R.N., is the director of Flagstaff Medical Center's Infection Prevention Department]

[Big snip]

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK URGENT MEDICAL CARE?

In children:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish skin color

Not drinking enough fluids

Not waking up or not interacting

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Fever with a rash

In adults:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

For more information, talk with your health care provider. You can also visit the CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

---

by: bgw in MT @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 18:17:23 PM UTC

More Severe Flu Seasons Predicted Due to Climate Change

http://www.sciencedaily.com/re...

Jan. 28, 2013 - The American public can expect to add earlier and more severe flu seasons to the fallout from climate change, according to a research study published online Jan. 28 in PLOS Currents: Influenza.

A team of scientists led by Sherry Towers, research professor in the Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center at Arizona State University, studied waves of influenza and climate patterns in the U.S. from the 1997-1998 season to the present.

The team's analysis, which used Centers for Disease Control data, indicates a pattern for both A and B strains: warm winters are usually followed by heavy flu seasons...

[more]

---

by: Cathy M @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 18:48:07 PM UTC

Swine flu spreads through the Balkans

Epidemiologists in Southeast Europe are warning that regional countries are facing a new wave of influenza, and many are already infected with H1N1 (Snip). Doctors are warning that patient numbers will grow in the coming weeks, and the H1N1 infection will become widespread.

"Influenza infection was confirmed in five patients early this year. The swine flu is confirmed in the three of five registered cases; the two other cases it's the infection of influenza A (H3N2)," Marija Zeljko, epidemiologist at the institute for public health in Sarajevo, said.

Doctors, however, are assuming there are far more people infected with swine flu in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) than are reported, since only the patients who are suspected to have the virus are laboratory tested. The tests are done in Sarajevo at the H1N1 referral lab.

In Kosovo, a 37-year-old woman died from complications caused by the swine flu, but doctors said that new cases of seriously ill citizens have not been detected.

(Snip) Serbia registered 13 patients with swine flu. According to the institute, the number of people infected in the region is increasing.

"The number of infected will grow when schools and colleges start the new semester. There is a low percentage [that were] vaccinated against seasonal flu," Jelena Ravlija, head of the epidemiology at the Federal Bureau of Public Health in Sarajevo..... Continued: http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/...

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 20:13:07 PM UTC

Please post new news stories ...

...to News Reports for January 30, 2013

Thank you!

---

by: AlohaOR @ Wed Jan 30, 2013 at 05:04:46 AM UTC