President Obama declares swine flu pandemic as national emergency

Concern continues to spread in Kern County and across the country about the H1N1 virus. President Barack Obama has declared the swine flu pandemic a national emergency. Every time the Kern County Health Department gets more doses of the H1N1 vaccine, they're gone in days. In the meantime, clinics around town are still doing what they can with what little seasonal flu vaccine they have.

"Our fair started at nine, and by eight-o'clock we had over 100 people in line," said Kris Grasty, director for the Kern County Aging and Adult Services. In the absence of any H1N1 vaccines to give out, the Kern County Health Department teamed up with Aging and Adult Services Saturday to vaccinate about 100 senior citizens and 50 kids against seasonal flu. That's less than they'd planned to reach, because there just aren't enough vaccines to go around, even when it comes to seasonal flu shots. Still it's clear which virus is on everyone's minds. "I think it's very bad and I keep hearing about all these cases. And I keep hearing about kids out of school because they have swine flu, and it's amazing that that many people have it," said Ron Mitchell, who was vaccinated Saturday.

Figures from the Centers for Disease Control show swine flu is still spreading. The death toll in Kern County climbed to nine this past week. Across the country, more than 1,000 people have died. Pregnant women and young people have been the hardest hit.

"They told us that all these flu vaccines are going to be available and all these people are scrambling to get them and they're not available. So I don't know why they even told us that in the first place if they're not going to be available," said Mitchell. The federal government predicted there would be about 100 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine by now, but as of Saturday, only about 11.6 million are available.

The Kern County Health Department announced they'll receive 5,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine this coming week, both in shot and the nasal mist form.

Source: http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/President-Obama-declares-swine-flu-pandemic-as/CpSAPKsBJkyWx7ia6OJbGg.cspx

How to fight Swine Flu with 3 Great Health Supplements

Swine flu is a problem that the whole world is having to face up to. There have been deaths all over the world, from Mexico to the United Kingdom – and of course the United states. Because the disease is killing so many people many people are searching for ways to help protect themselves from it – to help them fight off swine flu.

Thankfully there are ways and means of doing this – and the best way is using the right herbal health supplements. The H1N1 flu virus, of which swine flu is one, has been around for centuries, and these supplements have been of health in fighting it off for just as many years.

Acai Berries

Acai Berry supplements are great for fighting off swine flu. They work by increasing the bodies immune system and strengthening problem areas with nutrients and vitamins. The strengthened areas are then better able to prevent swine flu whilst the boosted immune system helps fight it off it it is contracted.

Resveratrol

Like Acai berries Resveratrolis a Brazilian based fruit that has remarkable healing properties, and properties that boost the immune system. Focusing especially on improving the largest defence against disease – the skin, Resveratrol ensures that the body is able to prevent itself from ever getting swine flu.

Hoodia

Hoodia is one of those secret supplements that no one seems to know about – but the experts rave about in private. It is an excellent ‘cure all’ type health supplement. Boosting the bodies immune system, giving much needed vitamin and nutrient shots, increasing the metabolism… and much more.

All 3 health supplement ingredients are great, natural, ways of helping you fight back against one of the biggest pandemics the world has ever seen – swine flu.

Source: Health supplement

Girl aged 6 and GP are latest fatal victims of swine flu

A six-year old schoolgirl and a GP have died after contracting the swine flu virus, taking the toll for the UK to 17.

Chloe Buckley, who contracted the virus while in this country, died on Thursday at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, West London.

Simon Tanner, NHS London’s regional director of public health, said that a post-mortem examination would be carried out to determine if she had any underlying health conditions.

“We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family at this difficult time as they come to terms with their loss,” Dr Tanner said, adding that it “will probably not be the last that we have in this pandemic”.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6700572.ece

Swine flu vaccine

A vaccine against swine flu will be fast-tracked for use in Britain in just five days, with 130 million doses on order.

The Department of Health expects to have enough vaccine to give it to half the population this year and, should enough people want it, vaccinations for the remainder over a longer period. Each person will need two doses of the vaccine.

The first doses specific to the H1N1 swine flu virus are set to arrive in September and could be prioritised through regulatory approval in less than a week.

It comes after the first British patient without underlying health problems died after contracting swine flu, taking the number of swine flu-linked deaths in the UK to 15.

Peter Holden, the British Medical Association’s lead negotiator on swine flu, who has been attending Department of Health meetings on the outbreak, said GPs’ surgeries were prepared for one of the biggest winter vaccination campaigns in almost 50 years.

He said that, although swine flu was not in the main causing serious illness in patients, health officials were eager to start a mass vaccination campaign, starting first on priority groups who were susceptible to infection or prone to complications.

It is likely the elderly would be given a seasonal flu jab to guard against other circulating flu strains - as happens every year - as well as the swine flu vaccination, Dr Holden said. The new vaccine is likely to be given in two doses, but could be left as a single jab if this is found to provide high rates of immunity.

“The high-risk groups will be done at GPs’ surgeries. People are still making decisions over this, but we want to get cracking before we get a second wave, which is traditionally far more virulent.”

Britain also has a stockpile of 500 million doses of Tamiflu (ostelamivir), the anti-viral drug used to treat flu symptoms. But a vaccine would provide a preventative measure against illness and would be used to ease pressure on the health service and the wider economy if “several million” people become ill as expected at the height of a pandemic.

It takes several weeks or months to make flu vaccines as they have to be cultured using chicken eggs.

Regulators at the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) said the fast-tracked procedure has involved clinical trials of a “mock-up” vaccine similar to the one that will be used for the biggest mass vaccination programme in generations. It will be introduced into the general population while regulators continue to carry out simultaneous clinical trials.

The EMEA said fast-tracking would not be at the expense of patient safety, adding: “The vaccines are authorised with a detailed risk management plan. There is quite a body of evidence regarding safety on the trials of the mock-up, and the actual vaccine could be assessed in five days.”

The Department of Health said that a vaccination programme would be drawn up based on expert advice.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article6694046.ece

Viruses resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

WHO has been informed by health authorities in Denmark, Japan and the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, China of the appearance of H1N1 viruses which are resistant to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (known as Tamiflu) based on laboratory testing.

These viruses were found in three patients who did not have severe disease and all have recovered. Investigations have not found the resistant virus in the close contacts of these three people. The viruses, while resistant to oseltamivir, remain sensitive to zanamivir.

Close to 1000 pandemic H1N1 viruses have been evaluated by the laboratories in the Global Influenza Surveillance Network for antiviral drug resistance. All other viruses have been shown sensitive to both oseltamivir and zanamivir. WHO and its partners will continue to conduct ongoing monitoring of influenza viruses for antiviral drug resistance.

Therefore, based on current information, these instances of drug resistance appear to represent sporadic cases of resistance. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the development of widespread antiviral resistance among pandemic H1N1 viruses. Based on this risk assessment, there are no changes in WHO's clinical treatment guidance. Antiviral drugs remain a key component of the public health response when used as recommended.

source: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_antiviral_resistance_20090708/en/index.html

Swine Flu Outbreak at Airforce Base

The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado is dealing with the state's largest outbreak of the H-1-N-1 virus, or swine flu.

The Academy says initial tests show 15 cadets with the virus.

Nearly 90 cadets have been isolated because of flu-like symptoms.

The Academy says most of the sick cadets are members of the incoming freshman class.

They began training on June 25th.

Others in the 13-hundred member class are having to wash their hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Source: http://www.wtvynews4.com/news/headlines/50549237.html

Swine Flu: Now Full-Scale Pandemic

The World Health Organization today declared the global outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus to be in Phase 6 -- a full-scale pandemic. The announcement essentially warns WHO's 194 member nations to expect the arrival of the new flu strain, which is likely to infect up to one-third of the population in the first wave and return in later waves over the next several years.

Key development

Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and government officials:

_Deaths: Global total of 75 — 68 in Mexico, five in U.S., one in Canada and one in Costa Rica. Officials said Canadian, U.S. and Costa Rican victims also had other medical conditions.

_Confirmed cases: WHO says 39 countries have reported total of 8,480 cases, mostly in U.S. and Mexico.

_Japan said Sunday that its confirmed cases rose to 44, from just five one day earlier. Japan earlier confirmed its first case of swine flu caught within the country, showing that effort to block flu at its borders had failed.

_Turkey's health officials said the virus was detected in a man and his mother who had traveled to Istanbul from the U.S.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hZVkRqV2uZVim0TRk5R1ZBfovTCAD987VUF00

WHO head indicates full flu pandemic to be declared

The World Health Organization is likely to raise its flu alert to the top of its six-point scale and declare a pandemic, its director-general indicated in an interview published on Monday.

WHO chief Margaret Chan warned against over-confidence following a stabilization in the number of new cases of the H1N1 strain that has proved deadly in Mexico.

Before issuing a level 6 alert, the WHO would need to see the virus spreading within communities in Europe or Asia. A declaration of a full pandemic would send a signal to governments worldwide to institute their pandemic response plans, which may include measures affecting hospitals, schools or public events.

Phase 6 would also trigger increased support for developing countries which lack the drugs, diagnostic tests, and medical staff to respond appropriately to the flu that the WHO has said could be especially dangerous for people with HIV/AIDS.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5431DI20090504

Developments on swine flu worldwide

1. Death 16 confirmed in Mexico and one confirmed in U.S.
2. Confirmed sickened worldwide, 653: 397 in Mexico; 155 in U.S.; 51 in Canada; 13 in Spain and Britain; four each in Germany and New Zealand; two in Israel and France; one each in Switzerland, Austria, Hong Kong, South Korea, Denmark and the Netherlands.
3. The World Health Organization increases its tally of confirmed swine flu cases around the world to 615 from 365.
   

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/02/AR2009050200672.html

Swine flu spreads to Asia as Hong Kong reports case

The first confirmed case of swine flu in Asia has been reported in Hong Kong on Friday after a Mexican man tested positive for the virus. The 25-year-old Mexican arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday from Mexico via Shanghai on the China Eastern Airlines flight 505. He was admitted to a hospital on Thursday night, suffering from a fever and tested positive for the swine flu virus. He was in stable condition.

The Metropark Hotel in Wanchai district where the Mexican had been staying has been cordoned off. Hong Kong Health Secretary York Chow said the guests and the staff at the hotel would be quarantined for seven days.

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\05\02\story_2-5-2009_pg7_4

Swine Flu Diagnosed in World Bank Employee in Washington

A World Bank employee in Washington has been preliminarily diagnosed with swine flu after traveling on business in Mexico from April 14 to April 18, before the outbreak was reported by world health officials, the bank said.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, it would be the first in the nation’s capital.

The employee sought treatment upon his return from Mexico, and has fully recovered, according to the company e-mail. He received a preliminary diagnosis last night, and a second test is underway by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the e-mail said.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a2q8_Ll2i7dE&refer=home

WHO phase of pandemic alert

In nature, influenza viruses circulate continuously among animals, especially birds. Even though such viruses might theoretically develop into pandemic viruses, in Phase 1 no viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause infections in humans.

In Phase 2 an animal influenza virus circulating among domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused infection in humans, and is therefore considered a potential pandemic threat.

In Phase 3, an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people, but has not resulted in human-to-human transmission sufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks. Limited human-to-human transmission may occur under some circumstances, for example, when there is close contact between an infected person and an unprotected caregiver. However, limited transmission under such restricted circumstances does not indicate that the virus has gained the level of transmissibility among humans necessary to cause a pandemic.

Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.

During the post-peak period, pandemic disease levels in most countries with adequate surveillance will have dropped below peak observed levels. The post-peak period signifies that pandemic activity appears to be decreasing; however, it is uncertain if additional waves will occur and countries will need to be prepared for a second wave.

Previous pandemics have been characterized by waves of activity spread over months. Once the level of disease activity drops, a critical communications task will be to balance this information with the possibility of another wave. Pandemic waves can be separated by months and an immediate “at-ease” signal may be premature.

In the post-pandemic period, influenza disease activity will have returned to levels normally seen for seasonal influenza. It is expected that the pandemic virus will behave as a seasonal influenza A virus. At this stage, it is important to maintain surveillance and update pandemic preparedness and response plans accordingly. An intensive phase of recovery and evaluation may be required.

Source: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/

Seven Countries Now Confirm Cases of Swine Flu

The virus is now suspected in the deaths of more than 150 people in Mexico. There are also confirmed cases in six other countries (the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Britain, Spain, and Israel). In the U.S., authorities have confirmed at least 65 cases of swine flu.

Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-29-voa19.cfm

WHO raised the level of its six-tier alert system to 5

The World Health Organization warned the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is “imminent” and urged stepped-up preparations after swine flu was confirmed in at least nine countries and 11 U.S. states.

WHO raised the level of its six-tier alert system to 5, indicating little time remains for countries to complete emergency plans. U.S. cases jumped to 94, from 64 yesterday, with hundreds of suspected cases at New York schools.

A stage 5 warning is “a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent” with little time left for preparation, according to the WHO Web site. A pandemic, rated 6 on WHO’s alert system, is an unexpected outbreak of a new contagious disease that spreads from person to person across borders. In such cases, almost no one has natural immunity.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a0NYYjUy._xo&refer=home

Swine Flu Toll Climbs to 91 Across 10 U.S. States

Ninety-one people in 10 U.S. states have confirmed cases of swine flu, up from 64 reported yesterday. New cases were reported in Arizona, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan and Nevada. The CDC count included the case of a child from Mexico who died at a Texas hospital, the agency said.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

World Health Organization calls emergency meeting on swine flu

The World Health Organization is calling a third emergency meeting of its flu experts in response to a spike in swine flu cases. The panel meeting today will discuss the current alert level - at phase 4, two levels below the threshold for a full pandemic outbreak.

In response to the panel's earlier advice, the United Nations' agency declared the outbreak an international public health emergency and raised its alert level, meaning the risk of a global outbreak has jumped.

Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Travel Advisories for swine flu

U.S. officials recommended that nonessential travel to Mexico be avoided and the European Union told travelers to avoid outbreak areas. Malaysia today asked the WHO to ban outbound travel from Mexico by people who are ill.

Japan suspended visa-free entry for Mexican nationals, countries including Australia, Singapore and South Korea are screening air passengers, and Taiwan advised against visiting Mexico.

Australia is testing 90 people for swine flu, and authorities are searching for 15 people who were on a plane from Mexico two days ago, Health Minister Nicola Roxon said.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a38ip8h11HoY&refer=home

Swine Flu Kills US child

A 23-month-old Texas child became the first to die in the U.S. from swine flu, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said hundreds of students in the city are suspected to be infected.

The new cases, including the death that was confirmed today by U.S. health officials, show the disease is taking root outside Mexico.

Mexico, where the virus toll is highest, said 159 people may have died from the malady, with seven of those verified by laboratory tests. Seven countries have confirmed swine flu, including the U.K., Canada, Israel, New Zealand and Spain. Officials in Bavaria said Germany found two cases.