MedWorm: Infectious Diseases

Clusters on Hemorrhagic H1N1 Pneumonia in Ukraine

Recombinomics — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:23:42 +0100

The commentary discusses clustering of hemorrhagic cases in multiple locations in western Ukraine. A map of the outbreaks is linked. (11/04/09) (Source: Recombinomics)

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Reported Cases in Ukraine Double Again To 871,036

Recombinomics — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:23:42 +0100

The commentary discusses doubling of H1N1 cases in Ukraine to almost one million. A map of outbreaks is linked. (11/06/09 22:54) (Source: Recombinomics)

Withheld Ukraine Sequences Raise Pandemic Concerns

Recombinomics — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:23:42 +0100

The commentary discusses delay in release of sequences from Ukraine. A map of the outbreak is linked. (11/07/09 02:20) (Source: Recombinomics)

National H1N1 Epidemic Declared in Bulgaria

Recombinomics — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:23:42 +0100

The commentary discusses the declaration of an H1N1 national epidemic in Bulgaria. A map of the outbreak is linked. (11/07/09 8:45) (Source: Recombinomics)

Unique Human Microbe Communities Have Wide Implications For Human Health

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

A University of Colorado at Boulder team has developed the first atlas of bacterial diversity across the human body, charting wide variations in microbe populations that live in different regions of the human body and which aid us in physiological functions that contribute to our health. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Studies Geared To Improving HIV Care And Prevention Supported By Federal Stimulus Funds

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

UCSF HIV researchers have received two NIH grants of $1 million each to study the use of web-based, patient controlled personal health records to improve health and HIV prevention outcomes for HIV positive patients. Both studies are funded through the federal stimulus bill, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)

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FDA Approves Labeling Update For REYATAZ(R) Capsules To Include 96-Week Data For Previously Untreated HIV-1 Infected Adult Patients

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a labeling update for REYATAZ® to include long-term data from the CASTLE Study. The CASTLE Study assessed a once-daily REYATAZ/ritonavir (REYATAZ/r)-based regimen versus a twice-daily lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)-based regimen in previously untreated adult patients infected with HIV-1. (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)

Gambia: HIV/Aids Requires Multi-Sectoral Response, Says UNDP Deputy Rep

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:15:31 +0100

Limya Eltayeb, the UNDP deputy representative in The Gambia has said that HIV/AIDS is not only a health issue, but also influenced by social and economic factors and as such, it requires multi-sectoral response. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

HHS Orders Intravenous Antiviral Flu Medication To Help Patients Hospitalized With 2009 H1N1

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced contract awards for up to 120,000 treatment courses of intravenous (IV) antiviral drugs to help treat hospitalized 2009 H1N1 influenza patients. Patients hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 influenza are evaluated to determine if antiviral drugs will be useful; some patients are not able to take the drugs that are currently available as pills or liquid and may benefit from intravenous antiviral medications. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Update: Translated Poster-Disposable Respirators: General Donning Instructions in Spanish

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:30:00 +0100

These posters describe general procedures for properly putting on and taking off a disposable respirator in Spanish. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

Update: Poster-Disposable Respirators: General Donning Instructions

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:30:00 +0100

These posters describe general procedures for properly putting on and taking off a disposable respirator. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

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Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report for Week Ending October 31, 2009

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:30:00 +0100

During the week of October 25-31, 2009, influenza activity remained high in the United States as reported in FluView. Flu activity is widespread in 48 states. Nationally, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness declined slightly from last week, but are still very high. Flu-related hospitalizations and deaths continue to increase and are very high nation-wide compared to what is expected for this time of year. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Info Service Message: Key Issues for Clinicians Concerning Antiviral Treatments for 2009 H1N1

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:15:00 +0100

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus continues to be the dominant influenza virus in circulation in the U.S. The benefit of antiviral treatment is greatest when it is initiated as early as possible in the clinical course. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Population Biology in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:35:12 +0100

Conclusions. Intraclonal microevolution and the frequent turnover or loss of clones are typical for infections with P. aeruginosa in COPD. This epidemiological signature differs from that of the chronic carriage of the same P. aeruginosa clone in patients with cystic fibrosis. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Efficient Transmission of Swine‐Adapted but Not Wholly Avian Influenza Viruses among Pigs and from Pigs to Ferrets

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:15:38 +0100

Conclusions. Our data indicate that swine‐adapted influenza viruses spread readily among pigs and from pigs to other susceptible mammalians and support the notion that AIVs undergo genetic adaptation to efficiently cross the species barrier. Our transmission models hold potential to study the factors that lead to the generation of pandemic influenza viruses. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Constitutive Expression of the Antimicrobial Peptide RNase 7 Is Associated with Staphylococcus aureus Infection of the Skin

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:15:34 +0100

Conclusions. In conjunction with the existing evidence from in vitro studies, these findings suggest that antimicrobial peptides found at high baseline levels in healthy skin, such as RNase 7, confer protection against S. aureus infection of the skin. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

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Africa: Global Fund to Help Put 50 Million More Bed Nets in African Homes

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:53:11 +0100

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced today that it has transferred USD 336 million to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria to pay for the provision of more than 50 million long-lasting insecticidal nets in the next few months. Together, this will amount to a 2/3 increase of the number of bed nets in Africa through Global Fund supported programmes. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

Uganda: Bill Threatens Progress on HIV/AIDS

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:32:38 +0100

A proposed Ugandan law on HIV/AIDS promotes dangerous and discredited approaches to the AIDS epidemic and would violate human rights, a group of more than 50 Ugandan and international organizations and individuals said in a report released today. The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill could be taken up by Uganda's parliament shortly. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Africa: UN Anti-Malaria Official Commends Unicef for Funding 20 Million Mosquito Nets

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:23:36 +0100

The official tasked with spearheading United Nations efforts against malaria has welcomed the decision of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to allocate more than $8 million in new funds to distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets in eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

A Pregnant Woman with Severe Diarrhea

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:51:03 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1767-1768, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Supply Status

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:30:00 +0100

Every Friday, CDC will post updated 2009 H1N1 vaccine supply and distribution data. 26,248,100 doses have been shipped as of November 4, 2009. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

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U.S. Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30 to October 31, 2009.

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0100

During the week of October 25-31, 2009, influenza activity continued to increase in the United States as reported in FluView. Flu activity is now widespread. Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness are increasing steeply and are now higher than what is seen at the peak of many regular flu seasons. In addition, flu-related hospitalizations and deaths continue to go up nation-wide and are above what is expected for this time of year. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

Viral Genetic Determinants of Nonprogressive HIV Type 1 Subtype C Infection in Antiretroviral Drug-Naive Children

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:54:52 +0100

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses)

Short Communication: Evidences of Recent Decline in the Expansion Rate of the HIV Type 1 Subtype C and CRF31_BC Epidemics in Southern Brazil

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:48:41 +0100

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses)

Antiretroviral Drug-Resistant Mutations at Baseline and at Time of Failure of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Type 1-Coinfected TB Patients

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:48:16 +0100

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses)

Variation In Bacterial Populations From Person To Person Surprises Researchers

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0100

A team of US scientists that has developed the first map of bacterial diversity across nearly 30 sites of the human body from hair, to ears, nostrils, mouth, armpits, intestines, navels, backs of knees and soles of the feet, was surprised to find big person to person differences in variously sited bacterial populations among healthy individuals. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

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LESOTHO: AIDS Orphans get Helping Hand

IPS Inter Press Service - HIV/AIDS — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:23:55 +0100

MASERU, Nov 5 (IPS) - Fifteen-year-old Ntsebeng Tlokotsi* sighs with relief as she is given 140 dollars. Along with it she receives a bag of maize meal and cooking oil. It is a government handout, and she qualifies for this only because both her parents are dead. (Source: IPS Inter Press Service - HIV/AIDS)

Young people in Hillingdon to receive information on how to get Chlamydia tests through the post

Terrence Higgins Trust — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:03:37 +0100

During this month, more than 40,000 young people in Hillingdon will be receiving Chlamydia information through the post and a chance to order a free Chlamydia postal test kit. Young people can get tested for free at many sites in the borough including their GP, local Pharmacies, Contraception and sexual health clinics.Terrence Higgins Trust has been commissioned by NHS Hillingdon to assist their health professionals in running this scheme. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that affects around one in ten young people. In most cases infected people have no signs or symptoms. If untreated, Chlamydia can cause serious health problems, including infertility in men and women. The main aim is to detect the disease early and provide free treatment.Dr Marion Marshall, a GP at the Me...

South Africa: Fight Against HIV, Aids Must Be Intensified - Motsoaledi

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:58:10 +0100

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has urged people living with HIV and AIDS to work with government to intensify the fight against the disease. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on AIDS and Death in a Cohort of Vertically HIV Type 1-Infected Children: 1980–2006

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:57:15 +0100

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses)

MSF Calls For Sustained Commitment To Global HIV/AIDS Funding

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

During a press conference on Thursday, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) warned that the "global economic crisis and calls to commit funds to other health crises" threatened to undermine recent gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Associated Press reports. MSF "says money for other health issues should be given in addition to money for [HIV/]AIDS" (11/5). (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)

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FDA Health Alert For Certain Pet Treats Made By Pet Carousel

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Climate Change Is Biggest Global Health Threat To Children, Report Says

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

According to a report (.pdf) by Save the Children, climate change is the biggest global health threat to children in the 21st century, the Hindu reports. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Punishing Success In Tackling AIDS

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

A retreat from international funding commitments for AIDS threatens to undermine the dramatic gains made in reducing AIDS-related illness and death in recent years, according to a new report released today by the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/MÃ©decins Sans FrontiÃ¨res (MSF). International support to combat HIV/AIDS is faltering, as reflected in significant shortfalls among two of the world's main funding mechanisms for HIV/AIDS. (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)

South Africa: People Living With HIV to Discuss Challenges At Conference

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:28:26 +0100

About 300 people, including people living with HIV and AIDS, and health experts are expected to gather at the Gallagher Estate on Friday for the inaugural Positive Convention on Living with HIV and AIDS. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 73

WHO Swine Flu — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

As of 1 November 2009, worldwide more than 199 countries and overseas territories/communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6000 deaths. (Source: WHO Swine Flu)

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Uganda: Official Drugs Seized From Private Clinic

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:13:33 +0100

A TOTAL of 650 dozes of government anti-malaria tablets were yesterday impounded at a city health centre. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

Uganda: Another Malaria Drug Launched

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:13:24 +0100

A New anti-malarial drug has been launched in Uganda. Artefan is a combination of Artemether and Lumefantine, with the same chemical composition as Coartem. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

Interference between outbreaks of respiratory viruses.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Anestad G, Nordbo SA PMID: 19883536 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

A foodborne outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with a Christmas dinner in Porto, Portugal, December 2008.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Mesquita JR, Nascimento MS An outbreak of acute norovirus gastroenteritis was detected and epidemiologically linked to a Christmas dinner reunion of 22 recent graduate students in a restaurant in Porto, Portugal, in December 2008. A retrospective cohort study was carried out using online standardised questionnaires. Sixteen primary and three secondary cases were identified and the risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals for each food item were calculated. The response rate to the online questionnaires was 96%. The outbreak met all four Kaplan s criteria and the attack rate was 73%. Norovirus GII.4 2006b was detected in stools and emesis samples of two primary cases. The ingestion of soup and lettuce salad was considered a risk factor for this norovirus outbreak, as determine...

Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 vaccines in the European Union.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Johansen K, Nicoll A, Ciancio BC, Kramarz P Pandemic vaccines from four manufacturers are now available for use within the European Union (EU). Use of these vaccines will protect individuals and reduce the impact on health services to more manageable levels. The majority of the severely ill will be from known risk groups and the best strategy will be to start vaccinating in line with the recommendation from the European Union Health Security Committee prioritizing adults and children with chronic conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers. The composition of authorized vaccines is reviewed in this article. The vaccine strain in all authorized pandemic vaccines worldwide is based on the same initial isolate of influenza A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)v but the vaccines differ...

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Resistance of turkeys to experimental infection with an early 2009 Italian human influenza A(H1N1)v virus isolate.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Terregino C, De Nardi R, Nisi R, Cilloni F, Salviato A, Fasolato M, Capua I We performed an experimental infection of 21- and 70-day-old meat turkeys with an early human isolate of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus exhibiting an alpha-2,3 receptor binding profile. Virus was not recovered by molecular or conventional methods from blood, tracheal and cloacal swabs, lungs, intestine or muscle tissue. Seroconversion was detected in a limited number of birds with the homologous antigen only. Our findings suggest that in its present form, the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus is not likely to be transmitted to meat turkeys and does therefore not represent an animal health or food safety issue for this species. PMID: 19883539 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Pandemic H1N1 influenza: predicting the course of a pandemic and assessing the efficacy of the planned vaccination programme in the United States.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Towers S, Feng Z We use data on confirmed cases of pandemic influenza A(H1N1), disseminated by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(US CDC), to fit the parameters of a seasonally forced Susceptible, Infective, Recovered (SIR) model. We use the resulting model to predict the course of the H1N1 influenza pandemic in autumn 2009, and we assess the efficacy of the planned CDC H1N1 vaccination campaign. The model predicts that there will be a significant wave in autumn, with 63% of the population being infected, and that this wave will peak so early that the planned CDC vaccination campaign will likely not have a large effect on the total number of people ultimately infected by the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. PMID: 19883540 [PubMed - in process] (Sour...

Use of an inactivated vaccine in mitigating pandemic influenza A(H1N1) spread: a modelling study to assess the impact of vaccination timing and prioritisation strategies.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Sypsa V, Pavlopoulou I, Hatzakis A The impact of prioritization and of timing of vaccination strategies on reducing transmission of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) was evaluated in a community with the structure of the Greek population using a stochastic simulation model. Prioritization scenarios were based on the recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and vaccination was assumed to initiate either before or during the ongoing epidemic. In the absence of intervention, an illness attack rate (AR) of 34.5% is anticipated. Vaccinating the priority groups before the epidemic (pregnant women, people who live with or care for children <6 months of age, healthcare/emergency services personnel, childre...

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza and indigenous populations of the Americas and the Pacific.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: La Ruche G, Tarantola A, Barboza P, Vaillant L, Gueguen J, Gastellu-Etchegorry M, There are few structured data available to assess the risks associated with pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v infection according to ethnic groups. In countries of the Americas and the Pacific where these data are available, the attack rates are higher in indigenous populations, who also appear to be at approximately three to six-fold higher risk of developing severe disease and of dying. These observations may be associated with documented risk factors for severe disease and death associated with pandemic H1N1 influenza infection (especially the generally higher prevalence of diabetes, obesity, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pregnancy in indigenous populations). More speculative fa...

Early transmission characteristics of influenza A(H1N1)v in Australia: Victorian state, 16 May - 3 June 2009.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: McBryde E, Bergeri I, van Gemert C, Rotty J, Headley E, Simpson K, Lester R, Hellard M, Fielding J Australia was one of the first countries of the southern hemisphere to experience influenza A(H1N1)v with community transmission apparent in Victoria, Australia, by 22 May 2009. With few identified imported cases, the epidemic spread through schools and communities leading to 897 confirmed cases by 3 June 2009. The estimated reproduction ratio up to 31 May 2009 was 2.4 (95% credible interval (CI): 2.1-2.6). Methods designed to account for undetected transmission reduce this estimate to 1.6 (95% CI: 1.5-1.8). Time varying reproduction ratio estimates show a steady decline in observed transmission over the first 14 days of the epidemic. This could be accounted for by ascertainment ...

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Pandemic H1N1 influenza surveillance in Victoria, Australia, April - September, 2009.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Fielding J, Higgins N, Gregory J, Grant K, Catton M, Bergeri I, Lester R, Kelly H Victoria was the first Australian state to report widespread transmission of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza. Notifiable laboratory-confirmed influenza and a general practitioner sentinel surveillance system measuring influenza-like illness (ILI), including laboratory confirmation of influenza as the cause of ILI, were used to assess the pandemic. The pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v virus quickly became the dominant circulating strain and notification rates were highest in children and young adults. Despite a high number of notified cases, comparison of ILI rates suggested the season peaked in late June, was similar in magnitude to 2003 and 2007 and less severe than 1997. The majority of clinical presen...

Progression and impact of the first winter wave of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza in New South Wales, Australia.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: A range of surveillance systems were used to assess the progression and impact of the first wave of pandemic H1N1 influenza in New South Wales, Australia during the southern hemisphere winter. Surveillance methods included laboratory notifications, near real-time emergency department syndromic surveillance, ambulance despatch surveillance, death certificate surveillance and purpose-built web-based data systems to capture influenza clinic and intensive care unit activity. The epidemic lasted 10 weeks. By 31 August 2009, 1,214 people with pandemic H1N1 influenza infection were hospitalised (17.2 per 100,000 population), 225 were admitted to intensive care (3.2 per 100,000), and 48 died (0.7 per 100,000). Children aged 0-4 years had the highest hospitalisation rates, while adul...

Pandemic influenza in a southern hemisphere setting: the experience in Peru from May to September, 2009.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Gomez J, Munayco C, Arrasco J, Suarez L, Laguna-Torres V, Aguilar P, Chowell G, Kochel T This paper presents a description of Peru s experience with pandemic H1N1 influenza 2009. It is based on data from four main surveillance systems: a) ongoing sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness cases with virological surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses; b) sentinel surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections and associated deaths; c) surveillance of acute respiratory infections in children under the age of five years and pneumonia in all age groups; and d) case and cluster surveillance. On 9 May 2009, the first confirmed case of pandemic H1N1 influenza in Peru was diagnosed in a Peruvian citizen returning from New York with a respiratory illness. By ...

Pandemic H1N1 influenza in Brazil: analysis of the first 34,506 notified cases of influenza-like illness with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI).

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

We report an analysis of the first 34,506 cases of influenza-like illness with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) notified in Brazil during the epidemiological weeks 16 to 33. The 5,747 confirmed cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza showed two incidence peaks across the age span: one in children up to the age of five years (3.8/100,000) and one in individuals aged 20 to 29 years (4.6/100,000). People over the age of 60 had the lowest incidence (1.1/100,000 inhabitants). The epidemic peaked rapidly. Ninety-four percent of cases were concentrated in two of Brazil s five geographic regions - the south and southeast, regions that have a more temperate climate and thus colder winters. Case-fatality of pandemic influenza presenting with SARI was 11.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 10.4%-12.1...

Interim report on pandemic H1N1 influenza virus infections in South Africa, April to October 2009: epidemiology and factors associated with fatal cases.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Archer B, Cohen C, Naidoo D, Thomas J, Makunga C, Blumberg L, Venter M, Timothy G, Puren A, McAnerney J, Cengimbo A, Schoub B We provide an interim report on pandemic H1N1 influenza activity in South Africa, with a focus on the epidemiology and factors associated with deaths. Following the importation of the virus on 14 July 2009, and the epidemic peak during the week starting 3 August, the incidence in South Africa has declined. A total of 12,331 cases and 91 deaths have been laboratory-confirmed as of 12 October 2009. Age distribution and risk groups were similar to those observed elsewhere. The median age of patients who died (33.5 years) was significantly higher than that of the non-fatal cases (15.0 years, p<0.01). The most common underlying conditions among fatal case...

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Preliminary analysis of the pandemic H1N1 influenza on Reunion Island (Indian Ocean): surveillance trends (July to mid-September 2009).

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

We report preliminary epidemiological characteristics of the pandemic on Reunion Island in 2009 until week 37 ending September 13. PMID: 19883550 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Pandemic H1N1 influenza lessons from the southern hemisphere.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Baker M, Kelly H, Wilson N PMID: 19883551 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Estimating diagnostic accuracy of tests for latent tuberculosis infection without a gold standard among healthcare workers.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

In conclusion, when used in healthcare workers, in vitro assays may provide a significant increase of specificity for tuberculosis infection compared to TST, even among non vaccinated individuals, at the cost of some sensitivity. PMID: 19883555 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

An outbreak of hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus skin infection among newborns, Nan Province, Thailand, January 2008.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Pawun V, Jiraphongsa C, Puttamasute S, Putta R, Wongnai A, Jaima T, Tithsayatikom P, Wattanasri S In January 2008, we investigated a cluster of neonates with bullous impetigo in a hospital of northern Thailand in order to control the outbreak and identify a potential source of the infection. We reviewed medical records and working timetables of healthcare workers (HCWs) and conducted a case-control study. We performed an environmental study and took bacteriological samples from HCWs and equipments. According to our case definitions, we identified 16 confirmed cases and 14 probable cases. The attack rate was 42%. Most cases had skin blisters (28 cases) followed by pustules (five cases) and exfoliation (three cases). The location of the lesion was the trunk (17 cases), neck (14 ...

Applied epidemiology training in Europe: quite a success - but more to be done.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

This article describes the development of training in applied epidemiology in Europe and outlines the current situation in Europe with a view of how the system can be improved to meet future challenges. PMID: 19883557 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

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New perspectives after the transition of EPIET to ECDC - the future of the programme.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

This article examines the achievements of the EPIET programme after its transition to ECDC and provides an outlook on its future. PMID: 19883558 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Contribution of EPIET to public health workforce in the EU, 1995-2008.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Bosman A, Schimmer B, Coulombier D We analyse activities and outputs of fellows of the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) between 1995 and 2008 and describe the employment history of graduates after the training to demonstrate the contribution of this programme and of national EPIET-associated programmes to the public health workforce in the European Union and Norway. Up to 2008, some 161 fellows entered the training: 121 in EPIET and 40 in EPIET-associated programmes. Of these 149 were awarded a diploma. Fellows engaged in projects in all areas of surveillance, in outbreaks and field investigations and produced 340 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Seventy fellows were sent to 98 individual assignments on 65 international missions. The vas...

Differences and commonalities of national field epidemiology training programmes in Europe.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Krause G, Aavitsland P, Alpers K, Barrasa A, Bremer V, Helynck B, Perra A From 1994 to 2009, national field epidemiology training programmes (FETP) have been installed in Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Norway. During their two year duration, different components of the FETP are devised as follows: 63-79 weeks are spent on projects in hosting institutes, 2-26 weeks in outside projects, 9-30 weeks in courses and modules, and 1-2 weeks in scientific conferences. A considerable proportion of the Spanish FETP has is provided conventional class room training . The content of the modules is very similar for all programmes. Except from the Italian programme, all focus on infectious disease epidemiology. The German and Norwegian programmes are so called EPIET-associated programmesas...

The European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE) - selected papers from the conference 2008.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: PMID: 19883561 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Building capacity in field epidemiology: lessons learned from the experience in Europe.

Euro Surveill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:04 +0100

Authors: Walke HT, Simone PM PMID: 19883562 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

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Africa: Drug Subsidy Key to Anti-Malaria Effort

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:36:58 +0100

Just three percent of malaria-infected children in Africa get World Health Organisation-recommended drugs. One expert has equated this to a death sentence for sick children. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

1 December News

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:53:17 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page i-ii, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Larger Foreskin Surface Area Linked to Increased Risk of HIV Infection in Men

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

“Male circumcision reduces HIV acquisition in men. We assessed whether foreskin surface area was associated with HIV acquisition prior to circumcision….In two randomized trials of male circumcision, the surface area of the foreskin was measured after surgery using standardized procedures. Nine hundred and sixty-five initially HIV-negative men were enrolled in a community cohort who subsequently enrolled in the male circumcision trials, provided 3920.8 person-years of observation prior to circumcision. We estimated HIV incidence per 100 person-years prior to circumcision, associated with foreskin surface area categorized into quartiles….Mean foreskin surface area was significantly higher among men who acquired HIV (43.3 cm2, standard error 2.1) compared with men who remained uninfecte...

Study of Investigational Integrase Inhibitor in Healthy Volunteers Indicates Safety

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

“S/GSK1349572 is a novel integrase inhibitor with potent in vitro anti-HIV activity, a different in vitro resistance profile than other integrase inhibitors, and a favorable preclinical safety and pharmacokinetics (PK).…In the single-dose study, 2 cohorts of 10 subjects (8 active, 2 placebo) received suspension doses of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg in an alternating panel design. In the multiple-dose study, 3 cohorts of 10 subjects (8 active, 2 placebo) received suspension doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg once daily for 10 days....S/GSK1349572 was well tolerated. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild, with few moderate AEs reported.…PK was linear over dosage range studied.…The half-life was approximately 15 hours.…The PK profile suggests once daily, low milligram doses will achieve therape...

Challenges and Approaches to Future HIV Research Outlined

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

“In a new article in Health Affairs, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. and Gregory K. Folkers, M.S., M.P.H., discuss the urgent imperative both to scale up proven tools of HIV treatment and prevention, and to develop bold new interventions—from curative therapies to vaccines and other new prevention modalities. Dr. Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health. Mr. Folkers is health scientist and chief of staff in the Immediate Office of the Director, NIAID.“The authors note that only a fraction of people who need HIV treatment, prevention and related services is receiving them. Even if access to scientifically proven HIV services were greatly improved by increased funding or improved efficiencies, slowing...

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Participate in the AIDS.gov World AIDS Day Conference Call

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

AIDS.gov is hosting a conference call to provide Federal staff and grantees an update on the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States and a brief overview of the global epidemic. Capacity is limited to the first 3,500 callers, and participants must register by November 15. A podcast and transcript will be available shortly after the call on the AIDS.gov Web site. More information is available: Read the conference call announcement Visit AIDS.gov to register for the call (Source: AIDSinfo At-a-Glance: Offering Information on HIV/AIDS Treatment, Prevention, and Research, A Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS))

Antiretroviral activity of the aminothiol WR1065 against Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in vitro and Simian Immunodeficiency virus (SIV) ex vivo

AIDS Research and Therapy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that WR1065 and the parent drug amifostine, the FDA-approved drug Ethyol, have antiretroviral activity. WR1065 was active against both an acute infection of HIV-1 and a chronic infection of SIV. The data suggest that the non-toxic drug amifostine may be a useful antiretroviral agent given either alone or in combination with other drugs as adjuvant therapy. (Source: AIDS Research and Therapy)

BioAlliance Pharma Presents Additional US Pivotal Phase III Results On Loramyc™ (Miconazole Lauriad(R)) At The 47Th Annual Meeting Of The IDSA

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

BioAlliance Pharma SA (Paris:BIO), a company dedicated to the treatment and supportive care of cancer and AIDS patients, has presented results on miconazole Lauriad® at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) in Philadelphia (October 29 - November 1st). (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Questions and Answers about 2009 H1N1 in pets.

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:55:00 +0100

(Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

Emerging Infections: Transmission of Human Infection with Nipah Virus

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:16:25 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1743-1748, 1 December 2009. Nipah virus (NiV) is a paramyxovirus whose reservoir host is fruit bats of the genus Pteropus. Occasionally the virus is introduced into human populations and causes severe illness characterized by encephalitis or respiratory disease. The first outbreak of NiV was recognized in Malaysia, but 8 outbreaks have been reported from Bangladesh since 2001. The primary pathways of transmission from bats to people in Bangladesh are through contamination of raw date palm sap by bats with subsequent consumption by humans and through infection of domestic animals (cattle, pigs, and goats), presumably from consumption of food contaminated with bat saliva or urine with subsequent transmission to people. Approximate...

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Critically Ill HIV‐Infected Patients: The Particular Case of Tuberculosis‐Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:11:35 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1773-1774, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

In the Literature

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:10:46 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page iii-iv, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Reply to Tarchini

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:10:35 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1773, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

A Pregnant Woman with Severe Diarrhea: (Answer on pages 1767–8)

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:06:06 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1742, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Editorial Commentary: Artemisinin Combination Therapy for Malaria: Beyond Good Efficacy

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:49:22 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1638-1640, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

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Editorial Commentary: New Advances in the Management of a Long‐Neglected Disease

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:32:55 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1685-1687, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Editorial Commentary: The Spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemases: A Tale of Strains, Plasmids, and Transposons

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:25:32 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1739-1741, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Epidemiology of Catheter‐Related Bloodstream Infections in Patients Receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:24:48 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1769-1770, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Early Experience with High‐Dosage Daptomycin for Prosthetic Infections

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:24:32 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1772-1773, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Nephrotoxicity Associated with Intravenous Colistin

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:24:07 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1773, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

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IDSA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Intravascular Catheter‐Related Bloodstream Infection

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:22:29 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1770-1771, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Editorial Commentary: To Build a Better Mousetrap: Pitfalls on the Path to Improving Tampon Safety

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:22:23 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1718-1720, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Reply to Collins et al and Manian

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:22:01 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1771-1772, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Book Review: Case Studies in Infectious Disease

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:20:07 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1776, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Africa: Aids Funding at 'Dangerous Turning Point'

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:16:43 +0100

Wavering international support for HIV/AIDS efforts is resulting in funding shortfalls that could wipe out a decade of progress in rolling out AIDS treatment, the international medical and humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has warned. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

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Book Review: The Travel and Tropical Medicine Manual, Fourth Edition

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:15:10 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1775, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Medical Microbiology: Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing: A Review of General Principles and Contemporary Practices

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:14:43 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1749-1755, 1 December 2009. An important task of the clinical microbiology laboratory is the performance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of significant bacterial isolates. The goals of testing are to detect possible drug resistance in common pathogens and to assure susceptibility to drugs of choice for particular infections. The most widely used testing methods include broth microdilution or rapid automated instrument methods that use commercially marketed materials and devices. Manual methods that provide flexibility and possible cost savings include the disk diffusion and gradient diffusion methods. Each method has strengths and weaknesses, including organisms that may be accurately tested by the method. Some methods p...

Editorial Commentary: Widening Differences in Acute Otitis Media Study Populations

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:13:52 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 49, Issue 11, Page 1648-1649, 1 December 2009. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Mauritania: Don't Abandon Us, HIV-Positive Community Tells Donors

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:03:01 +0100

People living with HIV in Mauritania are voicing their concerns about the suspension of HIV/AIDS funding by the World Bank and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. They feel powerless in the face of the decisions, of which they are suffering the consequences. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

New: Letter from CDC to States

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0100

Letter About Vaccine Supply From CDC Director to State and Local Health Officials (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

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Counterterrorism's Blindness - Mali and the U.S.

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:07:19 +0100

Tucked away in the corners of the news media sits a report that the US government will provide US$5 million in trucks and military equipment to Mali. The aim of this donation is to help the Malian military fight the group known as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Last December, AQIM kidnapped two Canadian diplomats, who were released after four months. This is what they do these days: kidnap, extort, run guns and drugs. Islam is a veneer. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

CDC Urges Officials to Get H1N1 Vaccine to Those Most Vulnerable

MedPage Today Infectious Disease — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:44:30 +0100

CDC director Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, today reached out to state and local health officials for help in calming the public about both the safety and availability of the H1N1 vaccine. (Source: MedPage Today Infectious Disease)

Kenya: Bid to Save Children Within Grasp

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:53:14 +0100

One of Africa's toughest challenges -- malaria -- is finally getting the attention it deserves. For the past week in Nairobi, the world's leading malaria experts met at the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria Conference to review the latest strategies to fight the disease. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

U.S. Flu Activity Report - Week Ending October 31, 2009 (Week 43)

CDC Flu updates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:45:00 +0100

Latest information on influenza activity in the United States. (Source: CDC Flu updates)

AIDS Funding Scandal in Washington, DC

Suite101: AIDS/HIV articles — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:30:32 +0100

With 3 percent of the city's adults infected, HIV/AIDS has reached epidemic levels in the District of Columbia. But money for prevention and treatment is going to waste. (Source: Suite101: AIDS/HIV articles)

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HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Washington, DC

Suite101: AIDS/HIV articles — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:02:38 +0100

More than 15,000 people in the District of Columbia have HIV or AIDS-3 percent of the city's adult population. Older African American men are hardest hit. (Source: Suite101: AIDS/HIV articles)

Addition of Thymosin alpha-1 to Peginterferon alfa-2a Plus Ribavirin in Previous Nonresponder, Primarily Genotype 1 HCV Population Does Not Increase SVR Rate by Intent-to-Treat Analysis

Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:02:55 +0100

Capsule Summary - Previous nonresponder HCV patients with undetectable HCV RNA at Week 24, and who complete 48-week treatment, may achieve higher SVR rates with addition of thymosin alpha-1 to peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin vs addition of placebo. (Source: Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV)

New: Don't Get, Don't Spread Video

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0100

Dr. Joe Bresee describes how to keep from getting the flu, and spreading it to others. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

New: Influenza Round Table: Antiviral Drugs Video

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0100

Influenza Round Table: Antiviral Drugs Dr. Joe Bresee explains the nature of antiviral drugs and how they are used. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

New: Influenza Round Table: Take 3 Video

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0100

Dr. Joe Bresee describes how to keep from getting the flu, and spreading it to others by taking these three steps. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

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New: Influenza Round Table: Warning Signs Video

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0100

Dr. Joe Bresee describes the main symptoms of flu, including the new H1N1 flu, and when it is serious enough to seek medical help. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

Fixed-Dose Tenofovir/Emtricitabine Safe and Effective Option for the Treatment of Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection and Decompensated Liver Disease

Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HBV — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:48:00 +0100

Capsule Summary - The safety profile and virologic, biochemical, and clinical efficacy outcomes were similar among patients treated with 48 weeks of tenofovir/emtricitabine, tenofovir monotherapy, or entecavir monotherapy in this randomized phase II study. (Source: Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HBV)

Botswana: Productive Age Suffer Hardest Aids Blow

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:43:46 +0100

The 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey III reveals that the productive age group of 15-49 has been hit hardest by HIV/AIDS. The survey indicates that the age group accounts for about half of the 20,254 HIV/AIDS-related deaths in Botswana in the past 12 months. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg: Strategies to Ensure Optimal HBV Screening, Diagnosis, and Initial Therapy

Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HBV — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:13:03 +0100

CCO Slideset - Downloadable slides for use in your own noncommercial presentations highlight key data on selecting patients for HBV screening and evaluation and optimizing first-line treatment. (Source: Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HBV)

Nigeria: Naca Wants $7.5 Billion to Fight HIV/Aids

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:58:17 +0100

National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA), has said that it requires $7.5 billion to effectively fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country in the next five years. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

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Reported Cases in Ukraine Double in Two Days

Recombinomics — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:01 +0100

The commentary discusses the explosion of H1N1 cases in Ukraine. A map of the outbreak is linked. (11/04/09 14:34) (Source: Recombinomics)

THT launches new online counselling service for the LGBT community

Terrence Higgins Trust — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:39:32 +0100

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has today launched ‘Connect Online Counselling’ - a new online counselling service for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community nationwide. The service aims to give people the chance to explore difficulties or challenges in their lives, make sense of experiences and find solutions or coping mechanisms when faced with problems.Sessions can be used to discuss anything from problems at home or work, to drug use or sexual risk taking. They take place over the internet using MSN, Skype or via the THT ‘counselling room’ on Gaydar.Whether it’s relationship problems or issues with your sex life, THT’s low cost online counselling service is a convenient way of exploring personal issues from the comfort of your own home. Each session lasts ...

Africa: Malaria Impasse 'Could Be Overcome With Brain Scans'

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:11:59 +0100

Billions of dollars have been spent on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) yet its potential for understanding cerebral malaria remains virtually untapped, say researchers. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

PARADIGM: High-Dose Ribavirin Plus Peginterferon alfa-2a not Associated With Improved SVR Rate in HCV/HIV-Coinfected Patients

Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:06:11 +0100

Capsule Summary - Higher SVR rates observed among HCV/HIV-coinfected patients achieving RVR or cEVR, regardless of the ribavirin dose. (Source: Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV)

Robust Antiviral Activity of NS5B Polymerase Inhibitor MK-3281 in Patients Infected With Genotype 1b HCV During 7-Day Monotherapy

Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Capsule Summary - In blinded safety analysis, headache, migraine, dizziness, tiredness, decreased libido, and abdominal pain were the most frequently reported adverse events. (Source: Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV)

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Among HCV-Infected Patients With Poor Prognostic Indicators, Telaprevir-Based Therapy Significantly Improved Virologic Response vs Standard of Care

Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Capsule Summary - Logistic regression analyses identified white race as prognostic for SVR (P = .02) and male sex as predictive of RVR (P = .04) among patients treated with the telaprevir-based regimen. (Source: Clinical Care Options Hepatitis - HCV)

'One Health' Summit Nov. 17: Emerging Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

The growing threat of the H1N1 pandemic and West Nile virus -- as well as other emerging zoonotic, food, or waterborne diseases and environmental changes -- has prompted experts to look for solutions to the increasingly integrated problems among animal, human, and environmental health. In turn, the nonprofit One Health Commission was created to develop a strategy for improved collaboration across human, animal, and ecosystem health sciences. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Uganda: Probe Healers, Pastors - Doctors

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:42:20 +0100

Private health practitioners have asked the health ministry to investigate traditional healers and pastors over what they called misleading the public by claiming that they can cure diseases, including HIV/AIDS. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Kenya: New Malaria Policy to Guard Spread

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:35:59 +0100

At least 80 per cent of Kenyans living in malaria-prone areas will be protected from contracting the disease in the next four years, according to a new plan. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

House Legislation Seeks 5 Days Of Sick Leave For Workers

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

The New York Times reports: "In an effort to rein in the spread of the H1N1 Flu, Representative George Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, introduced legislation on Tuesday that would guarantee five paid sick days for workers sent home by their employers with a contagious illness. Mr. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

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PEPFAR Expands Efforts To Improve Health Services Worldwide Through Use Of Mobile Devices

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Fierce Mobile reports on the recent announcement that PEPFAR is teaming up with the United Nations Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and Vodafone Foundation to be a founding member of the mHealth Alliance, "a group seeking to bring health services to the most remote corners of the globe using mobile networks and technologies." U.S. (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)

Infection of farmed animals with the pandemic virus

WHO Swine Flu — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

To date, extensive testing by laboratories in the WHO influenza surveillance network has detected no signs that the H1N1 pandemic virus has mutated to a more virulent form. Currently licensed pandemic vaccines closely match circulating viruses and are expected to confer good protection. (Source: WHO Swine Flu)

UN Secretary-General Urges Countries To Follow The United States And Lift Travel Restrictions For People Living With HIV

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

UNAIDS welcomes President Obama's announcement of the final rule removing entry restrictions based on HIV status from US policy. The removal of HIV-related travel restrictions in the US overturns a policy that had been in place since 1987. Such restrictions, strongly opposed by UNAIDS, are discriminatory and do not protect public health. (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)

Uganda: Orphans Receive Sh3 Billion From Aids Commission

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:58:00 +0100

SOME 17 community organisations helping orphans and vulnerable children have received sh3.3b in grants from the Uganda AIDS Commission Civil Society Fund. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Hearing Study Focuses On AIDS Patients

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Specialists in HIV and in hearing at the University of Rochester Medical Center are teaming up to measure the hearing of people with AIDS. The five-year study is believed to be the first large study of its kind testing the hearing of people with HIV/AIDS and comparing the results with those from people without HIV. The new effort, supported by a $1. (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)

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Cellulitis

MedicineNet Hepatitis C General — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Title: CellulitisCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 12/3/1999 2:59:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 11/5/2009 (Source: MedicineNet Hepatitis C General)

South Africa: Aids Programme May Be Reducing Deaths

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:32:41 +0100

The government's AIDS treatment programme may have begun to put the brakes on SA's rising death rate, a senior official of the Department of Health told Parliament yesterday. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Africa: Malaria Vaccine Draws Closer

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:53:58 +0100

After 20 years of trials, scientists have announced they are on the threshold of discovering a malaria vaccine. Researchers warn that Africa may not be ready to make use of the vaccine should it be approved as expected within five years. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

Perceived parent-pressure causes excessive antibiotic prescription

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(BioMed Central) Antibiotic over-prescription is promoted by pediatricians' perception of parents' expectations. Research published in the open access journal BMC Pediatrics shows that pediatricians are more likely to inappropriately prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections if they perceived parents were expecting a prescription. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

Authors' reply

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

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Rhinoviruses, A(H1N1)v, RVS: The race for hivernal pandemics, France 2009-2010

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

Influenza-like illness surveillance using a deputising medical service corresponds to surveillance from sentinel general practices

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Standard sources of data for influenza surveillance include notifications of laboratory-confirmed cases and notifications from sentinel general practices. These data are not always available in a timely fashion, leading to proposals to use more immediate data sources such as over-the-counter drug sales, ambulance call-outs and web searches to monitor influenza-like illness (ILI). We aimed to assess data from a deputising medical service as another source of data for timely syndromic influenza surveillance. We measured the extent of agreement between the weekly percentage of patients with ILI reported from sentinel general practices and the corresponding weekly percentage reported from a deputising medical service in Victoria, Australia over ten years, from 1999 to 2008. There was good agre...

"I-MOVE" towards monitoring seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine effectiveness: lessons learnt from a pilot multi-centric case-control study in Europe, 2008-9

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Within I-MOVE (European programme to monitor seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE)) five countries conducted IVE pilot case-control studies in 2008-9. One hundred and sixty sentinel general practitioners (GP) swabbed all elderly consulting for influenza-like illness (ILI). Influenza confirmed cases were compared to influenza negative controls. We conducted a pooled analysis to obtain a summary IVE in the age group of ?65 years. We measured IVE in each study and assessed heterogeneity between studies qualitatively and using the I2 index. We used a one-stage pooled model with study as a fixed effect. We adjusted estimates for age-group, sex, chronic diseases, smoking, functional status, previous influenza vaccinations and previous hospitalisations. The pooled analysis ...

Genome sequence analysis of the first human West Nile virus isolated in Italy in 2009

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In 2009, six new human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) were identified in Veneto region, following the six cases already reported in 2008. A human West Nile virus (WNV) isolate was obtained for the first time from an asymptomatic blood donor. Whole genome sequence of the human WNV isolate showed close phylogenetic relatedness to the Italy-1998-WNV strain and to other WNV strains recently isolated in Europe, with the new acquisition of the NS3-Thr249Pro mutation, a trait associated with avian virulence, increased virus transmission, and the occurrence of outbreaks in humans. (Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

Trichinellosis acquired in Nunavut, Canada in September 2009: meat from grizzly bear suspected

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Five cases of trichinellosis with onset of symptoms in September 2009, were reported in France, and were probably linked to the consumption of meat from a grizzly bear in Cambridge Bay in Nunavut, Canada. Travellers should be aware of the risks of eating raw or rare meat products in arctic regions, particularly game meat such as bear or walrus meat. (Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

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Interpreting "Google Flu Trends" data for pandemic H1N1 influenza: The New Zealand experience

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

For the period of the spread of pandemic H1N1 influenza in New Zealand during 2009, we compared results from Google Flu Trends with data from existing surveillance systems. The patterns from Google Flu Trends were closely aligned with (peaking a week before and a week after) two independent national surveillance systems for influenza-like illness (ILI) cases. It was much less congruent with (delayed by three weeks) data from ILI-related calls to a national free-phone Healthline and with media coverage of pandemic influenza. Some patterns were unique to Google Flu Trends and may not have reflected the actual ILI burden in the community. Overall, Google Flu Trends appears to provide a useful free surveillance system but it should probably be seen as supplementary rather than as an alternativ...

Measures against transmission of pandemic H1N1 influenza in Japan in 2009: simulation model

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The first outbreak of pandemic H1N1 influenza in Japan was contained in the Kansai region in May 2009 by social distancing measures. Modelling methods are needed to estimate the validity of these measures before their implementation on a large scale. We estimated the transmission coefficient from outbreaks of pandemic H1N1 influenza among school children in Japan in summer 2009; using this transmission coefficient, we simulated the spread of pandemic H1N1 influenza in a virtual community called the virtual Chuo Line which models an area to the west of metropolitan Tokyo. Measures evaluated in our simulation included: isolation at home, school closure, post-exposure prophylaxis and mass vaccinations of school children. We showed that post-exposure prophylaxis combined with isolation at home...

Surveillance of the first 205 confirmed hospitalised cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza in Ireland, 28 April - 3 October 2009

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

From 28 April 2009 to 3 October 2009, 205 cases of confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza were hospitalised in Ireland. Detailed case-based epidemiological information was gathered on all hospitalised cases. Age-specific hospitalisation rates were highest in the age group of 15 to 19 year-olds and lowest in those aged 65 years and over. Nineteen hospitalised cases (9%) were admitted to intensive care units (ICU) where the median length of stay was 24 days. Four hospitalised cases (2%) died. Fifty-one percent of hospitalised cases and 42% of ICU cases were not in a recognised risk group. Asthma was the most common risk factor among cases; however, people with haemoglobinopathies and immunosuppression were the most over-represented groups. (Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

Syndromic surveillance: the next phase of public health monitoring during the H1N1 influenza pandemic?

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

RT-SHIV, an infectious CCR5-tropic chimeric virus suitable for evaluating HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors in macaque models

AIDS Research and Therapy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This chimeric RT-SHIV has exhibited productive replication in both macaque and human PBMCs, predominantly CCR5-coreceptor usage for viral entry, and sensitivity to NNRTIs as well as other anti-HIV compounds. This study demonstrates rapid systemic infection in macaques following intravaginal exposure to RT-SHIV. This RT-SHIV/macaque model could be useful for evaluation of NNRTI-based therapies, microbicides, or other preventive strategies. (Source: AIDS Research and Therapy)

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Plasmodium falciparum exposure in utero, maternal age and parity influence the innate activation of foetal antigen presenting cells

Malaria Journal — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These data advocate a possible mechanism by which PAM may modulate foetal/neonatal innate immunity. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Botswana: Speedy CD-4 Count Results in HIV Positive Patients Crucial?

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:44:55 +0100

The introduction of a medical instrument that is said to check the CD4 count in HIV positive people and avail results in about 20 minutes by a South African medical company has raised the question whether a speedy determination of the CD4 count is necessary in saving lives. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Serum α-fetoprotein levels in liver steatosis

Hepatology International — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:54:34 +0100

Conclusion Patients with NAFLD have higher AFP levels than those without fatty liver changes. AFP levels rise as grade of liver steatosis increases. NAFLD should be among the differential diagnosis of elevated serum AFP levels. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s12072-009-9156-8Authors Ayşegül Babalı, Ankara Education and Research Hospital Department of Gastroenterology Ankara TurkeyErman Çakal, Dışkapı Education and Research Hospital Department of Endocrinology Ankara TurkeyTuğrul Purnak, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital Department of Gastroenterology Ankara Turkeyİbrahim Bıyıkoğlu, Ankara Education and Research Hospital Department of Gastroenterology Ankara TurkeyBaşak Çakal, Ankara Education and Research Hosp...

Respiratory Infection in Institutions during Early Stages of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Canada, A. Marchand-Austin et al.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0100

(Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal)

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Hospital Infection Control Response to an Epidemic Respiratory Virus Threat, Y.Y. Dan et al.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0100

(Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal)

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Genomic Signatures of Influenza A Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Virus, G.-W. Chen and S.-R. Shih et al.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0100

(Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal)

Pandemic Influenza as 21st Century Urban Public Health Crisis, D.M. Bell et al.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0100

(Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal)

Ghana: VP Unhappy With Exposure of HIV Victims

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:57:41 +0100

The Vice President John Dramani Mahama has expressed anger against the National Media Commission for failing to take action against some newspapers who have stigmatized public figures infected with HIV/AIDS.He called on stakeholders in the media to be circumspect in their reportage on issues of HIV/AIDS and persons affected with the virus. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Swaziland: TB-HIV Services Needed to Lower World's Highest Rates

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:54:46 +0100

Swaziland not only has the world's highest HIV prevalence rate, it now also has the highest tuberculosis (TB) rate, but health officials warn that not enough is being done to integrate TB and HIV services. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

The stars come out to help raise over £90,000 for the Terrence Higgins Trust Supper Club

Terrence Higgins Trust — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:07:21 +0100

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust raised in excess of £90,000 at last night’s Supper Club in central London. High profile guests who supported the event included Heidi Range, Graham Norton, Cilla Black, Jacquetta Wheeler, Gail Porter, Jason Isaacs, Jodie Prenger and Pattie Boyd. The annual event saw over fifty chic dinner parties taking place simultaneously in the capital's best restaurants and private homes. After dinner, guests were chauffeur driven to a fabulous party at Cuban venue Floridita for a carnival of champagne and delicious cocktails from Sagatiba. Guests were also treated to exclusive performances by Alphabeat and DJ Danny Rampling.Restaurants who took part in this year’s Supper Club include: Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Nobu, Scott’s, The Greenho...

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CDC Interim Guidance for Workers who are Employed at Commercial Swine Farms: Preventing the Spread of Influenza A Viruses, Including the 2009 H1N1 Virus

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:50:00 +0100

Influenza viruses can rarely be passed from people to live pigs and from live pigs to people. This interim guidance provides information on precautions for protecting workers exposed to pigs with known or suspected flu infection on production premises AND for protecting pigs from people with flu. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

Belarus H1N1 Deaths Raise Concerns

Recombinomics — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:39:27 +0100

The commentary discusses H1N1 fatalities in Belarus, including one traveler who returned from Ukraine. A map of outbreaks is linked. (11/03/09 16:47) (Source: Recombinomics)

WHO Targets Hemorrhagic H1N1 Cases in Lviv Ukraine

Recombinomics — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:39:27 +0100

The commentary discusses the WHO investigation of H1N1 deaths in Ukraine. The will target hemorrhagic cases in Lviv, Ukraine. A map of the outbreaks is linked. (11/03/09 19:47) (Source: Recombinomics)

Clusters on Hemorrhagic H1N1 Pneumonia in Ukraine (11/04/09)

Recombinomics — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:39:27 +0100

The commentary discusses clustering of hemorrhagic cases in multiple locations in western Ukraine. A map of the outbreaks is linked. (Source: Recombinomics)