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SO-H1N1 ("Swine Flu") Outbreak of 2009

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Dear colleagues, Resilience Network principals, and FAC teams leads,

We are on the cusp of a Phase 6 pandemic alert by WHO. According to its own rules, the phase 6 alert should have already been announced. However, with the SO-H1N1 global outbreak being relatively mild so far, as it is spreading globally, there is a concern about over-reaction by the public and governments that would further hurt our already ailing global economy.

The days, weeks, and months ahead will be full of difficult decisions. One way to help with reducing the economic pain and consequences of errors of omission that might lead to greater infection and premature death is to fully engage the civil society and educate the general public.

Please let us know if you have comments or questions, by posting below. The mission of this working group space is to track the flow of the SO-H1N1/2009 ("Swine Flu) global outbreak, and to create the collective intelligence to optimally anticipate, prepare, and respond to whatever is coming in terms of the economic, social, health and human consequences.

Mike

Michael D. McDonald, Dr.P.H.
President
Global Health Initiatives, Inc.

Coordinator
Global Resilience System

Principal Investigator
Disaster Knowledge Management System
Resilience Networks

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H1N1 (Swine Flu) Outbreak working group is structured for establishing collective intelligence regarding the outbreak.
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admin ChrisAllen DarrellDarnell DeannaPolk efrost fosternt
jamisonday JaniceFlanders MarylynMcDonald njchapman QuentinEichbaum rwelborn

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H1N1 Discovery Paves Way for Universal Flu Vaccine

submitted by Luis Kun

Homeland Security News Wire - May 9, 2012

Each year, seasonal influenza causes serious illnesses in three to five million people and 200,000 to 500,000 deaths; university of British Columbia researchers have found a potential way to develop universal flu vaccines and eliminate the need for seasonal flu vaccinations

Each year, seasonal influenza causes serious illnesses in three to five million people and 200,000 to 500,000 deaths. The 2009 H1N1 pandemic killed more than 14,000 people worldwide. Meanwhile, public health and bioterrorism concerns are heightened by new mutations of the H5N1 bird flu virus, published last week by the journal Nature, that could facilitate infection among mammals and humans.

Led by Professor John Schrader, Canada Research Chair in Immunology and director of the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Biomedical Research Center, the research team found that the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine triggers antibodies that protect against many influenza viruses, including the lethal avian H5N1 bird flu strain.

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Swine Flu Sufferers Pass Bug to at Least Two Others, Study Says

Source: bloomberg.com

By Jason Gale

July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Swine flu sufferers pass the bug to about two other people, fostering its spread, according to the first published study of the pandemic strain’s infectiousness in the Southern Hemisphere.

Swine Flu Prevention Takes on New Urgency

Wall Street Journal
July 24, 2009

Swine Flu Prevention Takes on New Urgency
U.S. Officials Call for FDA to Move on Vaccine Without Data from Clinical Trials; U.K. Sets Up Hotline as New Cases Double
By JENNIFER CORBETT DOOREN and NICHOLAS WINNING

Global health officials are scrambling to try to prevent the spread of the H1N1 swine flu virus, with U.S. officials moving Thursday with a recommendation that the Food and Drug Administration approve or license a vaccine.

Can closing schools stop the flu?

Email|Link|Comments (0)Posted by Elizabeth Cooney July 20, 2009 08:53 PM As they prepare for a fall flu season that could bring two nasty strains, Boston health officials are studying whether school closings helped to stop the spread of swine flu during the spring. Dr. Anita Barry, director of the infectious disease bureau at the Boston Public Health Commission, said the agency is still analyzing case reports from private and public schools that closed after abseentism rates soared. They expect to have answers in a month that will tell them if closing schools broke the chain of transmission of swine flu, known by its scientific name H1N1. The Boston review continues even as an article appearing today in a special issue of the British medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases concludes that closing schools early in a pandemic can reduce the number of cases at its peak, but cases might rise later when they reopened, leading to the same totals had schools not been shuttered. This flattening in the number of cases was observed in epidemics dating from 1918 through 2008.

Tamiflu resistant H1N1 from Hong Kong more worrying than earlier findings

By Helen Branswell –

TORONTO — All cases of Tamiflu resistance are not created equal. So while the first three instances of swine flu infection with Tamiflu-resistant viruses were reported in the past week, it was Number 3, not Number 1 that put influenza experts on edge.

Public health authorities in Hong Kong announced Friday they have found a case of Tamiflu resistance in a woman who hadn't taken the drug. That means she was infected with swine flu viruses that were already resistant to Tamiflu, the main weapon in most countries' and companies' pandemic drug arsenals.

@INFLUENZA - New listserver on Influenza Information and Knowledge Sharing

Dear Colleagues:

We are glad to announce the inauguration of the @influenza e-list for the dissemination and exchange of information about Influenza in the Americas and in the world; and as a contribution to improve the access to information.

The list is moderated to update and maintain the quality, and relevance of the content.

This virtual space is proposed for learning and active participation. We invite you to share this space and to send us your suggestions and information.

Greetings,

Marcelo D’Agostino
Knowledge Management and Communication Advisor

Study of Mexico H1N1 outbreak: victims were young, many healthy

Date: June 29
Author: Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor
Source: Reuters

* Most patients were under age 59

* All hospitalized patients had pneumonia

* No single pattern predicts sickest patients

Swine flu patients in Mexico were young and many were healthy before developing severe infections, doctors reported on Monday.

Swine flu 'shows drug resistance'

The drug has been offered to those with close contact to swine flu
Experts have reported the first case of swine flu that is resistant to tamiflu - the main drug being used to fight the pandemic. Roche Holding AG confirmed a patient with H1N1 influenza in Denmark showed resistance to the antiviral drug. David Reddy, company executive, said it was not unexpected given that common seasonal flu could do the same.

A pandemic's dry run

June 21, 2009

ALTHOUGH Massachusetts recorded its first swine-flu death this month, the effect of the disease has not been as dire as many feared. As a result, public health officials have been able to view the health system’s response to the pandemic as a test case for an even more dangerous outbreak of flu. Among the lessons learned is the need for better coordination between the public-health sector and the private suppliers of the tools needed to contend with flu: face masks, swabs, and antiviral medicines such as Tamiflu.

San Diego woman's death from swine flu baffles experts: 180 people go to ER at medical center with-in 24 hours after news of death

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune
Date: 19 June 2009

Adela Chevalier didn't fit the profile of someone who might die of swine flu. The Escondido woman was young, having turned 20 in January. She was active and worked two jobs. And she was healthy — family members said she never had a serious illness before last weekend.

Statistics on swine-flu patients also were in her favor.

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