News Reports for February 9, 2013

Flu kills four in Greece

ATHENS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Four patients in Greece died of an influenza virus while more than a dozen others have been hospitalized, Greek health authorities announced on Friday.

Three of the victims were infected by the H1N1 flu which had triggered alarm worldwide four years ago (Snip). The fourth man had been infected by the same type B flu which has swept other countries this winter.

(Snip)

Experts estimate that the cycle of the seasonal flu in Greece will close by late March. http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 07:36:59 AM UTC

India: Swine flu alert in city hospitals (Gujarat)

SURAT: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the New Civil Hospital (NCH) authorities are on an alert after recurrence of swine flu in parts of Gujarat. Five deaths have already been reported in the state and a patient suspected to be suffering from swine flu was admitted to NCH a few days ago. (Snip) he tested negative for the virus (Snip). The H1N1 virus has claimed about 30 lives in the state in the past two years. (Snip). "We have made all provisions for a separate H1N1 ward and OPD." (Snip).

(Snip) "Till now no case has been reported from the city. And we do not expect any sudden outbreak. But we are properly equipped to deal with the situation." 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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 07:50:41 AM UTC

India: MP govt calls for alertness about swine flu (Madhya Pradesh)

Bhopal, Feb 8 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Health Department has issued directives to the district collectors and chief medical and health officers to remain alert about cases of swine flu in the state. All the CMOs have been directed to convene meetings of the district task force (Snip) immediately.

Civil surgeons and doctors of private hospitals should also be invited to the meeting. They have also been directed to follow the directives issued by the Union government for prevention and cure of swine flu.

The A-category patients suffering from general symptoms of cold should be sent back home after giving medicines as per nature of disease. Instructions have been given to administer temiflu medicine to category-B patients suffering from high fever (100 degrees), body ache and headache. C-category patients should be admitted and treated in hospital. Directives have been given to send samples of such patients for test to laboratory, (Snip). Directives have also been given to set up a swine flu screening room in each district hospital and keep it functional round-the-clock (Snip). http://www.moneycontrol.com/ne...

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 07:58:54 AM UTC

India: Swine flu: 91 dead across country this year, Rajasthan worst hit

New Delhi: Swine flu has re-emerged in India and cases are rising across the country, with Rajasthan being the worst hit state so far. However, health authorities have said there's no reason to panic. As many as 246 people have tested positive for H1N1 and 54 people have lost their lives in Rajasthan (Snip).

"We have set up isolation wards and health officials are going to villages and cities and screening for influenza like illness," said Dr Arvind Mathur, principal, SM Medical College, Jodhpur.

(Snip) Punjab has recorded 47 cases and nine swine flu related deaths while Haryana has seen 38 cases and 13 deaths. (Snip) "We are going to homes of all the patients getting tested positive and giving prophyliaxis treatment to the family members."

There have been more than 456 cases all over the country and 91 deaths since January 1, 2013. Gujarat has reported 30 cases and six deaths, and Maharashtra has reported 24 cases and 4 deaths, while Andhra Pradesh, Karantaka and Kerala have also reported cases.

The national capital has already recorded 57 cases and three deaths. (Snip) 24 government and five private hospitals have been earmarked to deal with swine flu patients. "One is from Ghaziabad, two are in ICU and two are in isolated ward. Out of the two who are in isolated ward, one of them is a 5-year-old child," said Dr HK Khar of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Continued: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/swi...

(Note: I have been following the flu situation in India for many months or longer now and IMO, these numbers given here are a whole lot lower than the real number of cases and deaths. Someone either can't count or they are not telling the truth!)
 

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 08:08:55 AM UTC

India: 4 more swine flu cases in Delhi, count 64

The city reported four new cases of swine flu on Friday, taking the total number of patients affected this year to 64. (Snip) there were 39 reported cases and one death in January alone from the swine flu (H1N1) virus, and 25 reported cases and two deaths in February as of Friday, which is a two-year high. The infection is attributed to changing weather.

Hospitals claim to have seen more swine flu cases than what are being officially reported.

(Snip)

"The numbers are higher but not everyone needs hospitalisation. Therefore, the cases might go unreported. Of late, there has been a sudden spurt in the number of cases," said a doctor at RML, requesting anonymity. http://www.hindustantimes.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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 08:29:39 AM UTC

Argentina: Swine flu: a nurse died

Translated

He (she) had traveled to the United States in December, where apparently contracted the virus that initiated a focus of infection in the hospital in Carmen de Areco, where he (she) worked. One partner is in "serious condition". The rest of the victims were discharged.

The hospital nurse (who worked in) Carmen de Areco (Snip) died this morning in hospital Rossi of La Plata. Receiving mechanical ventilation and was in a coma.

Andrea Gordillo, 39, was the head nurse of the hospital Virgen del Carmen. Two weeks ago, she became one of 11 affected by an influenza outbreak in this hospital. Four of them were nurses, of which there is still an inmate.

"He suffered severe hemodynamic failure, which precipitated the death. The cause of his hospitalization remains a study in Malbrán Institute, where various research continues bacteriological beyond have found traces in some samples of influenza A virus" (Snip)

Gordillo had traveled between 20 and 30 December at Orlando, United States, where it is suspected that they have contracted the virus outbreak began in the hospital de Areco, which was closed to prevent further infections. He was transferred on January 28 to hospital Rossi de La Plata, where he died shortly after noon.

The part of the health portfolio Buenos Aires reported that another nurse in the hospital Rossi "delicate remains in intensive care" (Snip). http://www.clarin.com/salud/Gr...

(Note: Hmmm, just as I suspected. This may not have been an outbreak of swine flu but may have been something else. The cause of his hospitalization remains a study in Malbrán Institute, where various research continues bacteriological beyond have found traces in some samples of influenza A virus". They are doing more studies. They have found traces of swine flu but that could be a false positive or a co-infection. I hope they are testing for the new coronavirus.)
 

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 08:47:53 AM UTC

ProMED: Avian influenza, human (04): Cambodia, 6th case, fatal

The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that one more new human case of avian influenza has been confirmed positive for the H5N1 virus. The 6th case is a a 5 year old girl from Angk Krasang village, Prey Lvea commune, Prey Kabass district in Takeo province who was diagnosed with H5N1 influenza on 7 Feb 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. She developed symptoms on 25 Jan 2013 with fever, cough, and vomiting. She was initially treated by local private practitioners.

Her condition worsened and she was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on 31 Jan 2013. Unfortunately, despite intensive medical care, she died on Thu 7 Feb 2013. There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in her village and the girl had a history of coming into contact with poultry prior to becoming sick. The girl is the 27th person in Cambodia to become infected with [avian influenza] H5N1 virus, and the 6th person this year [2013] and the 24th person to die from complications of the disease.

Of all the 27 cases, 18 were children under 14, and 18 of the 27 confirmed cases were females.
---------------------------

ProMED-mail thanks Sonny Inbaraj Krishnan for forwarding this statement identifying a 6th human case of avian H5N1 influenza virus infection to have occurred in Cambodia so far this year. Perhaps the most striking statement in this report is the observation that 18 of the 27 confirmed human cases of avian H5N1 virus infection in Cambodia have been female. http://www.promedmail.org/dire...

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 09:22:09 AM UTC

India: Uttarakhand on high alert in view of swine flu outbreak

DEHRADUN: With neighbouring states reeling under swine flu threat, Chief Medical Officers and Chief Medical Superintendents across Uttarakhand were today put on high alert to check the spread of H1N1 influenza.

Director General medical health and family welfare has asked all CMOs to make available all facilities to affected persons if any. However, not a single case of swine flu has been detected in the state so far, state nodal officer Kiran Bisht said.

(Snip) chief medical superintendents of all hospitals have been asked to set up an isolation ward for admitting people showing symptoms of swine flu, she said. Continued: http://economictimes.indiatime...

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 16:01:34 PM UTC

India: H1N1 toll: 43 deaths in 38 days (Punjab & Haryana)

CHANDIGARH: The swine flu toll in the region this year - 43 deaths in 38 days cases -- has left many in jitters in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. The tally of flu positives has risen to 212 since January in the region, which was 131 in 2012. Bewildered by the upsurge, PGI, an apex referral lab of these states, is trying to ascertain the reason behind it.

(Snip) Haryana has recorded maximum influenza cases - 94 confirmed, including 23 deaths. Karnal in Haryana has contributed largely with five deaths in a month and 18 H1N1 positives. (Snip) Karnal and Hisar have 18 and 11 respectively."

With 87 confirmed cases and 17 deaths, Punjab, too, has recorded an upswing. In 2012, there were 13 positives, including 4 deaths, in Punjab. "Due to seasonal variation, we have come across 87 flu positives, which is more than six times the figure last year," said Deepak Bhatia, state nodal officer. Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

(Note: According to the figures given here, there are very high CFR's in all those listed areas. The state of Haryana's CFR is 24%. The city of Karnal in Haryana has a CFR of 27%. The state of Punjab has a CFR of 19%.)

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 16:16:06 PM UTC

Flu season killing record number of older Americans, CDC says

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5074...

[This article emphasises that people 65 or older need to go to a doctor at the onset of flu symptoms and get a prescription for Tamiflu, which is only effective if given in the first two days of the illness.]

By Maggie Fox
Senior Writer
NBC News
updated 2/8/2013 11:28:52 AM ET

[snip]

The latest flu statistics show that while the season is leveling off, it's still a bad one for seniors.
"The numbers for hospitalizations are extremely high in the elderly. In fact, they are the highest we have had since surveillance began in 2005," says Dr. Lyn Finelli, a flu expert at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The deaths are way over the epidemic threshold. We are very concerned about the elderly this year", she added in a telephone interview. "The elderly rates are many, many times the rates in other age groups."

[snip

A study published earlier this week showed that people over 65 have different types of antibodies from younger people. These immune system proteins recognize and attack invaders like germs and they are stimulated by vaccines. The study, in the journal Science Translational Medicine, showed that the older people are, the fewer antibodies they have and they have fewer different types. That may help explain why people have a weaker immune response to vaccines as they get older, and why they get sicker once they are infected.

Flu kills anywhere between 4,000 and 49,000 people a year, CDC says. Every year is different. But this year is shaping up to be at the high end of that scale.

"I do think in years where you have a virus that impacts the older adults particularly hard, the number of total deaths tends to be higher. I would expect that this year we'd be on the high range of deaths," said Duchin.
[snip]

H3N2 is one of the different strains of flu virus circulating, and for some reason when there is lots of H3N2, more people get seriously ill and die. Ninety percent of these deaths are in people over the age of 65.

[snip]
CDC doesn't have precise numbers of deaths among adults. "The flu is so common that we don't have deaths in adults as a reportable condition because states would be overwhelmed by counting them," Finelli says. The CDC will calculate deaths later, after the season's over, by comparing mortality rates overall to years past and using death certificate data.

[snip]
Several strains of flu are circulating, and sometimes a B strain comes along after an A strain like H1N1 or H3N2 and sickens people in a new wave of illness.

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by: bgw in MT @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 18:23:26 PM UTC

India: One dies of suspected swine flu, 5 more test positive (Gujarat)

Rajkot: A 37-year old person admitted to Civil Hospital here with swine flu symptoms died on Saturday (Snip).

Yusuf Ahemad, a native of Junagadh, was admitted to Rajkot Civil hospital last night with swine flu symptoms (Snip).

His blood sample was sent for lab testing and the report was yet to be received but the patient died this morning, (Snip).

Meanwhile, five persons, including two women, tested positive for H1N1 virus today, taking the total number of patients to have tested positive to 18 this month, sources added. http://zeenews.india.com/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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 18:29:24 PM UTC

Cambodia Reports Sixth Case Of Human Bird Flu Of 2013

http://www.theglobaldispatch.c...

[Note: This little girl was the sixth case of avian influenza in Cambodia since January first, but the fifth fatality. Articles on this case were also posted yesterday.]

The Kingdom of Cambodia Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed another case of human avian influenza H5N1, or bird flu, which is the sixth case of the year, according to a MoH/World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Press Release Feb. 8.

The case is a five-year-old girl from Angk Krasang village, Prey Lvea commune, Prey Kabass district in Takeo province who was diagnosed with H5N1 influenza on 7 Feb 2013 by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. She developed symptoms on 25 Jan 2013 with fever, cough, and vomiting. She was initially treated by local private practitioners.

Her condition worsened and she was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on 31 Jan 2013. Unfortunately, despite intensive medical care, she died on Thu 7 Feb 2013, according to the press release.

There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in her village and the girl had a history of coming into contact with poultry prior to becoming sick. The girl is the 27th person in Cambodia to become infected with  H5N1 virus, and the 6th person this year and the 24th person to die from complications of the disease.

Of all the 27 cases, 18 were children under 14, and 18 of the 27 confirmed cases were females.

[snip]

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by: bgw in MT @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 18:43:21 PM UTC

Takeo province, Cambodia

Map link: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl...

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 22:47:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Assessment of Serosurveys for H5N1.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pu...

Clin Infect Dis. 2013 Feb 5. [Epub ahead of print]

Toner ES, Adalja AA, Nuzzo JB, Inglesby TV, Henderson DA, Burke DS.

Source
Center for Biosecurity, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 621 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Abstract

Background.
It has been suggested that the true case fatality rate of human H5N1 influenza infection is appreciably less than the figure of approximately 60% that is based on official WHO confirmed case reports because asymptomatic cases may have been missed. A number of sero-epidemiological studies have been conducted in an attempt to identify such missed cases.

Methods. 
We conducted a comprehensive literature review of all English language H5N1 human serology surveys with detailed attention to laboratory methodology used (including whether investigators used criteria set by the WHO to define positive cases), laboratory controls used, and the clades/genotypes involved.

Results. 
29 studies were included in the analysis. Few reported using unexposed control groups and one third did not apply WHO criteria. Of studies that used WHO criteria, only 4 found any sero-positive results to clades/genotypes of H5N1 that are currently circulating. No studies reported sero-positive results to the clade 2/ genotype Z viruses that have spread throughout Eurasia and Africa.

Conclusions. This review suggests that the frequency of positive H5 serology results is likely to be low; therefore, it is essential that future studies adhere to WHO criteria and include unexposed controls in their laboratory assays to limit the likelihood of false positive results.

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by: bgw in MT @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 19:16:32 PM UTC

Dr. M. Djamil Suspect Hospitalized Patients Suspected Bird Flu

February 9, 2013
http://news.okezone.com/read/2...
Padang, Indonesia:  A resident of Kampung Lintang, Sunur Nagari, District Nas Sabaris, Padangpariaman regency, West Sumatra was treated at Dr M. Djamil Padang.  The senior, 73 years old with the initial D, is an alleged bird flu virus (H5N1) suspect.  Giving Information and Documentation Officer (PPID) Dr M.  Djamil Padang, Gustafianov, confirmed they are nursing a bird flu suspect patient, who is now in the isolation space.  

"From the symptoms he suffered suspected bird flu, lest other people are now infected with the same patient in isolation.  The symptomsare  similar to bird flu," he told Okezone, Saturday (02/09/2012).

He continued that today they are giving intensive care for the patient while waiting for laboratory results.  "We are still awaiting the results of the examination in the laboratory, whether these patients truly affected by bird flu or not," he said.

Gustafianov continued that the patient was admitted to the hospital on Friday, February 8 at approximately 12:00 noon EDT.  From the description of the family, he continued, the patient had three days of high fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing.  "Initially, the patient was taken to the hospital Padangpariaman, but the hospital referred the patient here," he said.

While based on information from the family, the patient was not in contact with farm animals.  Only, hundreds of ducks around at their home died suddenly on Wednesday, February 6 last.  Allegedly, the ducks were affected by bird flu.  

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

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by: History Lover @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 21:37:12 PM UTC

Padang, West Sumatra

Map link: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl...

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 22:45:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nepal: Bird Fl Scare

KATHMANDU: Bird flu was detected in a private poultry firm on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Friday. (Snip) spokesperson for the Directorate of Animal Health, confirmed that samples sent to the lab tested positive for H5N1 virus. (Snip) 2,390 birds from the Jitpurphedi-based farm of Kishor Tandukar were culled and 100 kg chicken feed destroyed on Friday and Saturday. This is the seventh incident of bird flu in the Kathmandu Valley. (Snip). 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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 23:00:41 PM UTC

That's suppose to be "Bird Flu Scare"

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 @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 23:05:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Indonesia: Suspect Bird Flu, Citizen Referred to M. Djamil

February 9, 2013

Pariaman - A resident Korong Kampuang Latitude, Sunur Nagari, District Nan Sabaris, Pariaman suspected suspect bird flu. Patients experiencing symptoms of high fever, cough and colds. The patient was initially taken to the health center Pauh Kamba, then referred to the hospital M. Djamil Padang on Friday (8/2).

Korong Kampuang Latitude is an area of ​​the discovery of thousands of ducks died suddenly and tested positive for H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1 since a few days ago.

Hundreds of ducks have been culled officers for breaking the chain of dangerous virus in the area.

Virus H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1 is the latest variant of the H5N1 bird flu virus that has previously been widely known. Today, new virus was recently detected attack duck. Yet all kinds of birds. The virus also has the potential to infect humans.

Head of Disease Control and Prevention and Environmental Health, Public Health Service Pariaman, Aspinuddin Singgalang confirmed, confirmed there were patients from being referred Korong Kampuang Latitude Pauh Kamba health center personnel to the hospital. M.Djamil.

"Yes, there are people Korong Kampuang Latitude referenced. Patients suspected suspect bird flu. Because the symptoms of fever, cough and colds, such as the characteristics of the bird flu. The patient was referred Friday morning, "said Aspinuddin.

As per standard operating procedure (SOP) for handling suspect cases of bird flu, the Department of Health does not have the authority to provide information related to the patient's name and identity of the suspect is suspected. More information is authorized RS M. Djamil.
Patient suspect bird flu was found medical team assigned to monitor the health of people in Korong Kampuang latitude, after the discovery of bird flu cases duck attacked thousands of residents in the area since last week.

24-hour surveillance

It is said, since the discovery of bird flu cases in Kampuang latitude, DHO team accidentally alerted Padangpariaman 24 hours in the area.

The team checked periodically to public health since the past few days.

Yesterday, a team of health received a report there was a resident in the vicinity of duck farms in the surroundings that had a high fever accompanied by cough and colds.
These characteristics are identical to the symptoms of the bird flu virus that infect humans.
The team moved quickly to home health patients. The patient was then taken to the health center Pauh Kamba to undergo further tests.

Because the assessed had a history of contact with the dead ducks and fever led to the avian flu, the patient eventually was referred to the hospital. M. Djamil.
"Rather than risk, also referred patients that day. What is clear according to SOP handling cases of bird flu, if found patients with bird flu-like symptoms, patients suspected suspect. The patient should be immediately referred to the hospital, "said Aspinuddin.

At the hospital, usually the patient suspect bird flu will be isolated and treated in a special room. In Sumatra, only RS. M. Djamil defined as hospital case management and positive patient suspect bird flu.
Patients suspected blood sample will be taken, saliva, sputum and other samples by a team of doctors. The samples will then be tested in the laboratory to ascertain whether or not the patient acquired the bird flu virus. "Test sample take some days," he explained.

http://hariansinggalang.co.id/...

United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com

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by: cottontop @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 23:14:33 PM UTC

Please post new news stories ...

...to News Reports for February 10, 2013

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Sun Feb 10, 2013 at 04:44:05 AM UTC