As far out as this may sound..

I'm seriously starting to think that the H1N1 vaccinee is designed stop human accent ion into higher vibrational state of being! The Jab might in fact be some inhibiting agent!

More swine flu in pigs

Summary

INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009, ANIMAL (23): TAIWAN, OIE
********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>

Date: Thu 5 Nov 2009
Source: OIE's WAHID Weekly Disease Information 2009; 22(45) [edited]
<http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=8616>

Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments: A/H1N1 influenza virus surveillance programme
began since January 2009 in the country. Clinical signs such as coughing
and diarrhoea were observed in a pig farm located in T'ai-Tung County on 19
Oct 2009. The owner reported it to the prefecture animal disease control
competent authority. Official veterinarian inspected this farm right away.
Samples were collected and sent to the Animal Health Research Institute.

Disinfection and cleaning of the index farm has been conducted and
completed. Movement control has been also implemented. The positive results
of virus isolation, real-time RT-PCR and gene sequencing demonstrated that
this outbreak was caused by H1N1 influenza A virus.

The sick pigs in the index farm have recovered. One pig farm within 1 km
radius of the index farm has been under vigilant monitoring and no clinical
or epidemiological evidence of infection has been found. 7 pig farms within
3 km radius of the index farm have also been under intensive monitoring.

Evolution of pandemic H1N1 2009 in animals
------------------------------------------
The OIE is closely monitoring the world animal health situation including
with regard to infections of all susceptible animals with the pandemic H1N1
2009 virus.

Regular reports of countries notifying the presence of the pandemic H1N1
2009 influenza virus in animals to the OIE show disease surveillance in
animals and reporting mechanisms function well and, that the very vast
majority of OIE Member Countries act in full transparency with the
international community.

"Pandemic H1N1 2009 virus infections in pigs and other susceptible animals
were assessed as probable from the very 1st days after the virus was
detected in humans. So, it does not come as a surprise that notifications
of infection in new animals species are received; on the contrary it
demonstrates animal disease surveillance is efficient and functioning to
the benefit of all," Dr Bernard Vallat, OIE director general commented.

So far, no evidence has suggested that animals play any particular role in
the epidemiology or the spread of the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus among
humans. Instead, investigations led by competent national authorities point
to possible human-to-animal transmission in most cases. For this reason,
the OIE considers that it is sufficient to certify the healthy state of
animals for international trade during the relevant period before their
exportation and maintains its position that no specific measures, including
laboratory tests, are required for international trade in live pigs and
other susceptible animal species and/or their products.

Laboratories in the OFFLU network (OIE-FAO joint network of expertise on
animal influenza) across the world have been sharing biological material
and information, and have been working to assess transmission and
pathogenesis of the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus in different species of
animals. The experiments demonstrated among other things at an early stage
that pigs are susceptible to the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus but that infected
pigs only showed mild signs of disease.

Nevertheless, the OIE continues to encourage the surveillance and reporting
of the presence of all epidemiologic events of significance in animals due
to influenza viruses, as well as any other emerging pathogen.

http://promedmail.oracle.com/pls/otn/pm ... 91106.3840

Experts say radical measures won't stop swine flu

By MARIA CHENG (AP) – 2 hours ago

LONDON — Health experts say extraordinary measures against swine flu — most notably quarantines imposed by China, where entire planeloads of passengers were isolated if one traveler had symptoms — have failed to contain the disease.

Despite initially declaring success, Beijing now acknowledges its swine flu outbreak is much larger than official numbers show.

China's official count of nearly 70,000 reported illnesses with 53 deaths is dwarfed by estimates of millions of cases with nearly 4,000 deaths in the United States, a nation with about a third of China's population.

Dr. Michael O'Leary, WHO's top representative in China, says there has been a dramatic spike in Chinese swine flu cases recently and those reported by the government are only "minimum numbers."

"We have new cases occurring all the time," he told The Associated Press last week. "There's always more deaths than we could possibly know about."

He said there is little data to prove interventions like mass quarantines and school closures slow down disease transmission. "To draw a causal link ... is not always possible," O'Leary said, adding that WHO expected a disease as contagious as swine flu to spread regardless of what measures countries impose.

China's Health Minister Chen Zhu defended his country's aggressive quarantine policy, telling the AP on Wednesday that the measures helped slow the spread of the virus long enough for China to develop a vaccine, which authorities are now scrambling to administer.

"With initial efforts of containment, actually we not only reduced the impact of the first wave to China, but we also won time for us to prepare the vaccine," Chen said in an interview on the sidelines of a meeting of the Global Forum for Health Research in Havana.

He said China was vaccinating 1.5 million people a day against swine flu as part of a massive effort to try to reach as many as 90 million people — about 7 percent of the country's population — by the end of the year.

"We know this is not enough for a population of 1.3 billion, but at least for the vulnerable people, for the students, people with underlying basic diseases and ... for pregnant women, we have vaccines," Chen said.

On Thursday, Dr. Zhong Nanshan, director of Guangzhou's Institute of Respiratory Diseases, said in a local newspaper he believed government officials were covering up swine flu deaths to appear as though their handling of the epidemic had been successful.

"I totally don't believe the current number of swine flu deaths that have been reported in the country," Zhong said in Guangzhou Daily. He was one of the doctors who openly challenged China's 2003 cover-up of its outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

China has acknowledged swine flu is now widespread despite its aggressive attempts at containment.

Earlier this month, Feng Zijian, head of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said the country's reported figures are only "a very small portion" of the total number of cases.

He said China is now focusing on confirming severe cases and no longer tests every person with a fever for swine flu. He said the official figures were based on cases confirmed in outbreaks or at monitoring sites like hospitals.

Other nations that have carried out draconian swine flu policies indicate they have little effect in containing the disease.

Ukraine, which reported more than 250,000 suspected cases last week, closed all schools and universities, and advised people not to travel and to stay away from public places. In Mongolia, all bus travel has been suspended and gatherings of more than 40 people have been banned. Still, both countries are now facing major swine flu outbreaks.

Argentina, Singapore, Malaysia and Egypt have also enacted radical swine flu prevention measures — and all have been gripped by widespread outbreaks.

When WHO declared swine flu to be a pandemic in June, it described the virus as "unstoppable." It advised countries not to close their borders or impose mass quarantines, warning such measures would be useless since people often spread flu viruses before developing any symptoms.

China is no exception, scientists say.

"China did not keep the virus out. They failed," said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

He said he believes the actual number of swine flu cases is "far in excess of what China is reporting," based on the center's own network of official and unofficial sources in the country.

Some experts say the relatively small size of China's reported outbreak is suspicious given that neighboring regions are battling huge epidemics. Last week, WHO said Mongolia, which borders China, was reporting its health system was being crushed by swine flu cases.

In Hong Kong, a city of 7 million on China's southern coastline, authorities have reported 40 swine flu deaths, compared to the 53 reported in China.

"The issue in China has to do with surveillance," said Sandra Mounier-Jack, a flu expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Because swine flu symptoms are so vague, many cases are being missed in China, as they are everywhere, she said.

WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave up counting swine flu cases months ago when the virus became widespread.

Past disease outbreaks also give experts reason to question China's numbers. In 2003, China covered up an epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which ultimately killed about 800 people when it spread worldwide.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... wD9C2KVC00

Mutation of A/H1N1 flu found on Chinese mainland
Via China Daily, a Xinhua report: Mutation of A/H1N1 flu found on Chinese mainland. The entire report:

Genetic mutation had been detectedin eight A/H1N1 flu cases on the Chinese mainland, an official with the Chinese National Influenza Center said here Wednesday.

Shu Yuelong, director of the center, said in an interview that the mutated virus was not resistant to drugs and could be prevented by vaccines.

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2009 ... nland.html

What has mutated? where in the virus? what epidemiological changes does it create?

Detected H1N1 mutations 'not dangerous'
By Shan Juan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-25 08:13

Chinese health authorities detected mutations of the H1N1 virus on the Chinese mainland in June and July, but so far, the mutations are not creating any danger in terms of the number and severity of cases, health experts said.

Detected H1N1 mutations 'not dangerous'

Health officials did not make an announcement to the public earlier because the mutations carried too little public health significance.

China is among seven countries, including Brazil, Japan and Mexico, that have reported isolated cases involving this mutation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Experts say the mutated virus is not circulating widely and has not been resistant to antiviral treatments like Tamiflu.

"The mutated viruses in the nation do not seem to be more virulent or infectious than the regular H1N1 one, and have caused no deaths here," said Feng Zijian, director of the emergency response department of the Chinese Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

He declined to reveal more.

Vivian Tan, press officer of the WHO Beijing Office, said the organization had been informed by the Chinese government of the mutations earlier and that there were three such cases. (in the following post 8 cases are cited. ??

WHO's public health recommendations remain unchanged for now, as no evidence so far suggests these mutations are leading to an unusual increase in the number of H1N1 flu infections or a greater number of severe or fatal cases, the press officer said.

She urged Chinese authorities to maintain a high level of surveillance of flu-like illnesses, particularly any unusual changes in the severity or fatality of cases, to further expand the vaccination program, and to strengthen public health education among the people.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Department of Health announced on Monday that it had found a mutation in an H1N1 flu virus sample.

Department officials said that they had carried out an examination of the the genetic sequence of the H1N1 flu viruses in their monitoring systems.

Out of the 123 sequences studied, one sample showed a mutation.

The virus was taken from a 1-year-old boy who developed flu-like symptoms July 22.

The patient was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital July 25 and discharged three days later. He has fully recovered.

Mutations are frequently encountered in influenza viruses, according to WHO.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009 ... 041315.htm

edited by ruts to underline statements

UK: H1N1 found in Norfolk pigs
Via The PigSite.com: Pandemic H1N1 Flu Virus Found in Pigs in Norfolk. Excerpt:

A sixth case of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus in pigs has today been confirmed in the UK.

Pigs on a farm in Norfolk have been confirmed as having a strain of influenza commonly known as ‘swine flu’ in people. This follows earlier cases in Northern Ireland.

Routine scanning surveillance has confirmed that the strain of the virus found is virtually identical to strains currently circulating in humans. It is not uncommon for pigs to be affected by influenza. Influenza in pigs is not a notifiable disease.

Swine flu in swine is spreading pretty rapidly. I've also seen reports of such outbreaks in Italy and other countries. It may be some consolation to the pigs that H1N1 seems far less fatal to them than to us. The lasting legacy of H1N1 may be just another damn problem for pigs and pig farmers.

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2009 ... -pigs.html

USDA Listing Of Animals With H1N1





# 4121





Over the past couple of months we’ve heard of a number of instances here in the United States, and around the world, of animals infected with the H1N1 2009 pandemic virus.



Today we get a list from the USDA of animals in the US that have tested positive for the virus. Aside from humans and swine (16), the USDA lists ferrets (5), cats(3), turkeys (5), and a Cheetah (1) as having contracted the virus.



A hat tip to Farmer on FluTrackers for posting this link. (See original post - it is too small on here to read.)




The infection of swine with an H1N1 swine-like virus isn’t unexpected, nor is the susceptibility of ferrets a big surprise. Ferrets are often used in influenza research because they are susceptible to the virus.



The jumping to cats is a bit more surprising, given that the only other flu virus known to affect cats is the H5N1 bird flu.



The susceptibility of turkeys, given that research over the summer stated that they were not likely to acquire the virus, is perhaps the biggest surprise (see US: Turkey Farm Reports H1N1).



The promiscuous nature of this novel H1N1 continues to raise concerns, something that the Reveres at Effect Measure discussed last week (see Dogs, cats and swine flu's promiscuity).



Not included (yet) in the above list is the report today of 2 cats, from different households in Colorado, that have tested positive for the virus.





CSU treats two cats suffering from swine flu



Two cats from different households in Colorado have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, or “swine flu,” according to Colorado State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.



The cats are expected to recover but their cases serve as a reminder to pet owners to seek treatment for animals that appear to be ill. Veterinarians believe that both cats became ill after a person in their household contracted the virus.



The feline cases come after H1N1 has been identified in ferrets, birds and other cats in the United States.

(Continue . . .)

http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2009/12/u ... -h1n1.html

Hat tip to FLA_MEDIC

# 4015



Over the past few days allegations of impropriety and conflict of interest have arisen regarding the WHO (World Health Organization) and their use of advisors, some reportedly being paid by pharmaceutical companies.


An example of some of the coverage can be found in the PharmaTimes.





Swine flu labelled a conspiracy


02 December 2009


The swine flu pandemic has been named as the “most ambitious scam and corruption of our time” after pharma has been found to be in bed with the World Health Organisation.



Journalists from Denmark have reported links between the World Health Organisation and pharmaceutical companies where firms have been covertly paying top WHO scientists. In the meantime, pharma profits from flu drugs have soared.



The journalists from the newspaper Information claim the public and political hysteria to swine flu is a result of an efficient public relations campaign, spearheaded by the WHO experts that have been prejudiced by pharma’s ready cash.

(Continue . . . )



The WHO has responded today with a lengthy briefing note outlining the steps they’ve taken to prevent conflicts of interest. Admittedly, this statement may do little to dissuade the critics of the WHO and big Pharmaceutical interests.




WHO use of advisory bodies in responding to the influenza pandemic
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 19



3 DECEMBER 2009 | GENEVA -- WHO is aware of some concerns, expressed in the media, that ties with the pharmaceutical industry among experts on the Organization’s advisory bodies may influence policy decisions, especially those relating to the influenza pandemic.



WHO has historically collaborated with the pharmaceutical industry for legitimate reasons. Efforts to improve health depend on better access to high-quality and affordable medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics. Medical interventions, including antiviral drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tests, have long been recognized for their role in mitigating the health impact of an influenza pandemic. Pharmaceutical companies play an essential role in this regard and WHO has engaged with them to pursue its public health objectives.


Conflicts of interest: safeguards in place

Potential conflicts of interest are inherent in any relationship between a normative and health development agency, like WHO, and a profit-driven industry. Similar considerations apply when experts advising the Organization have professional links with pharmaceutical companies. Numerous safeguards are in place to manage possible conflicts of interest or their perception.



External experts who advise WHO are required to provide a declaration of interests that details professional or financial interests that could compromise the impartiality of their advice. Procedures are in place for identifying, investigating and assessing potential conflicts of interest, disclosing them, and taking appropriate action such as excluding an expert from participating in a meeting.
International Health Regulations

The influenza pandemic is providing the first major test of the revised International Health Regulations, which were approved by WHO Member States in 2005 and came into legal force in 2007. The Regulations provide an orderly, rules-based mechanism for coordinating the response to public health emergencies of international concern, such as that caused by the H1N1 pandemic virus.



Apart from protecting public health against the international spread of disease, the Regulations contain provisions for avoiding unnecessary interference with international travel and trade.



Under the provisions of the revised Regulations, an Emergency Committee advises the WHO Director-General on matters such as declaring a public health emergency of international concern, the need to raise the level of pandemic alert following spread of the H1N1 virus, and the need to introduce temporary measures, such as restrictions on travel or trade. Final decisions are made by the Director-General, as guided by the Committee’s advice.



All members of the Emergency Committee sign a confidentiality agreement, provide a declaration of interests, and agree to give their consultative time freely, without compensation. Members of the Committee are drawn from a roster of about 160 experts covering a range of public health areas. The framework for membership is set out in the International Health Regulations. Each State Party to the Regulations is entitled to nominate one member of the roster and additional experts are appointed by the Director-General. Recommendations of the Emergency Committee are immediately made public on the WHO web site together with the relevant decisions of the Director-General.



Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization



In responding to the pandemic, WHO has also drawn on advice from a standing body of experts, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), which advises WHO on vaccine use. Members of SAGE are likewise required to declare all professional and financial interests, including funding received from pharmaceutical companies or consultancies or other forms of professional engagement with pharmaceutical companies. The names and affiliations of members of SAGE and of SAGE working groups are published on the WHO web site, together with meeting reports and declarations of interest submitted by the experts.



Allegations of undeclared conflicts of interest are taken very seriously by WHO, and are immediately investigated.





Criticisms: understandable but unfounded



Public perceptions about the current H1N1 influenza pandemic, as well as national preparedness plans, were strongly influenced by a five-year close watch over the highly lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus, which was widely regarded as the virus most likely to ignite the next influenza pandemic. A pandemic caused by a virus that kills more than 60% of the people it infects is strikingly, and fortunately, very different from the reality of the current pandemic.



Adjusting public perceptions to suit a far less lethal virus has been problematic. Given the discrepancy between what was expected and what has happened, a search for ulterior motives on the part of WHO and its scientific advisers is understandable, though without justification.



WHO has consistently assessed the impact of the current influenza pandemic as moderate. WHO has consistently reminded the medical community, public, and media that the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild influenza-like illness and recover fully within a week, even without any form of medical treatment. WHO has consistently advised against any restrictions on travel or trade. Although influenza viruses are notoriously unpredictable, it is hoped that this moderate impact will continue throughout the duration of the pandemic.




http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu ... index.html

Shanghai: Serum Treatment For H1N1





# 4112




Shanghai health authorities are asking those who have been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus to donate blood so they can create a serum to treat seriously ill patients.



If all of this sounds vaguely familiar to you, it may be because we’ve discussed this process in the past. Two years ago, in fact, in a blog entitled Human Serum For Bird Flu?



Since that time, we’ve heard of several attempts in China to treat seriously ill bird flu patients with convalescent serum. While some successes have been reported, not all have had positive outcomes.



First today’s article from the Shanghai Daily, then we’ll revisit the subject.




City calls for blood in swine-flu war

By Cai Wenjun | 2009-12-3 |

SHANGHAI health authorities yesterday launched their latest drive in the fight against swine flu, calling on people who have been vaccinated against the virus to donate blood for emergency-treatment storage.



First in the queue will be 34 inoculated medical staff at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, who are expected to donate blood today.



City blood-collection authorities said that general donations were also welcome as supplies were low, particularly of types A and O.



According to experts, a person starts to produce antibodies three weeks after catching swine flu or two weeks after vaccination.



Blood from these people can then be used to treat patients seriously affected by the H1N1 virus.



"Using serum from vaccinated staff to treat serious cases is mentioned in a treatment guide issued by the Ministry of Health," said Dr Lu Hongzhou, a member of city's expert panel on swine-flu treatment - and one of the 34 expected donors.



"The technology is safe and we have used it on our patients with good results," Lu said.

(Continue . . . )





Harvesting serum antibodies from someone who has been vaccinated, or who has contracted a disease and recovered, is not a new idea. In fact the first controlled clinical trial, Fibiger’s trial of serum treatment of Diptheria, dates back to 1898.



During the great pandemic of 1918, serum treatments were tried, but the results were often disappointing.



In recent years Chinese scientists have suggested infecting horses with an attenuated (weakened) H5N1 and producing a serum.



The process is relatively simple. Once someone (or an animal) is able to produce antibodies, a quantity of blood can be removed and through a process called plasmapheresis, the blood cells are removed from the blood plasma.



This is done by passing the blood through a special filter, or by using a centrifuge. The blood plasma will contain antibodies that could then be injected into people.



A serum could, theoretically, be used as either a treatment for someone already infected, or as a prophylactic, to prevent infection.



There are problems involved, however.



It takes a large amount of blood product to produce a small amount of serum. Human donors would have to be screened for AIDS and Hepatitis, among other blood borne diseases.



Horse serum is still used today, although sparingly, because of `serum sickness’, a reaction to the serum that can be fatal.



And lastly, a serum is not a vaccine. It confers a temporary immunity, not a permanent one.



A PLoS One study from August of 2008 followed the treatment, and course of illness, of 26 Chinese H5N1 patients. Convalescent plasma – or serum – was tried with success on a couple of them.

http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2009/12/s ... -h1n1.html

Didn't they use this method with smallpox? using the milkmaids who caught cowpox?

Yes, Siam, that is where the vaccination for smallpox started. There were also some doctors who used this method in 1918. I believe I read that they were the only ones who had any real success in saving very ill patients, but I have to check that; it was successful though. That I know.

INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009 (129): INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Fri 11 Dec 2009
Source: MMWR Weekly 58(48);1341-1344, 2009 [edited]
<http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5848a1.htm>


Indigenous populations from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have
been found to have a 3 to 8 times higher rate of hospitalization and
death associated with infection with the 2009 pandemic influenza A
(H1N1) virus (1). In October 2009, 2 U.S. states (Arizona and New
Mexico) observed a disproportionate number of deaths related to H1N1
among American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). These observations,
plus incomplete reporting of race/ethnicity at the national level,
led to formation of a multidisciplinary workgroup composed of
representatives from 12 state health departments, the Council of
State and Territorial Epidemiologists, tribal epidemiology centers,
the Indian Health Service, and CDC. The workgroup assessed the burden
of H1N1 influenza deaths in the AI/AN population by compiling
surveillance data from the states and comparing death rates. The
results indicated that, during 15 Apr to 13 Nov 2009, AI/ANs in the
12 participating states had a [pandemic] H1N1 mortality rate 4 times
higher than persons in all other racial/ethnic populations combined.
Reasons for this disparity in death rates are unknown and need
further investigation; however, they might include a high prevalence
of chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes and asthma) among AI/ANs
that predisposes them to influenza complications, poverty (e.g., poor
living conditions), and delayed access to care. Efforts are needed to
increase awareness among AI/ANs and their health-care providers of
the potential severity of influenza and current recommendations
regarding the timely use of antiviral medications. Efforts to promote
the use of 2009 H1N1 influenza monovalent vaccine in AI/AN
populations should be expanded.

In November 2009, all state health departments were invited to
participate in the workgroup investigation by providing data on
influenza-related deaths among their residents. 12 states (Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Michigan, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) chose to
participate, representing 50 percent of the AI/AN population in the
United States. An H1N1 death was defined as a death in a resident of
a participating state reported during 15 Apr to 13 Nov 2009 with any
positive result from an influenza test, including rapid enzyme
immunoassay, direct or indirect influenza fluorescent antibody,
real-time reverse transcription--polymerase chain reaction assay
(rRT-PCR), or viral culture. Because greater than 99 percent of
influenza specimens tested during the study period had been found to
be H1N1, all cases with a positive influenza test were presumed to be
[pandemic] H1N1 and not seasonal influenza. Race/ethnicity and
influenza risk status* of decedents were determined through review of
death certificates, medical records, or death investigation reports.
CDC-defined groups at higher risk for influenza complications were
used to classify decedents as at high risk for influenza
complications. Bridged-race vintage 2008 postcensal population
estimates** were used by all states to determine population data for
rate calculations. Death rates by race/ethnicity were age adjusted to
the 2000 U.S. standard population. Using rate ratios, AI/AN death
rates were compared with death rates for all other racial/ethnic
populations, including deaths in persons of unknown race.

A total of 426 H1N1 deaths were reported by the 12 states during 15
Apr to 13 Nov 2009 (tabulated in the original text). 42 deaths (9.9
percent) occurred among AI/ANs, although AI/ANs make up approximately
3 percent of the total population in the 12 states. The overall AI/AN
H1N1-related death rate was 3.7 per 100 000 population, compared with
0.9 per 100 000 for all other racial/ethnic populations combined,
resulting in a mortality rate ratio of 4.0. Age group-specific
H1N1-related death rates were 3.5 for persons aged 0 to 4 years, 1.1
for persons aged 5 to 24 years, 4.2 for persons aged 25 to 64 years,
and 7.2 for persons aged 65 years or older. In all age groups, the
AI/AN death rate was higher than the rate for all other racial/ethnic
populations combined.

Among the AI/AN deaths related to H1N1, 81.0 percent of decedents had
high-risk health conditions, compared with 77.6 percent of persons in
all other racial/ethnic populations combined (data tabulated in the
original text). In addition, greater percentages of AI/AN decedents
had asthma (31.0 percent) and diabetes (45.2 percent) than decedents
in all other racial/ethnic populations combined (14.1 percent asthma
and 24.0 percent diabetes).

(Reported By: L Castrodale, J McLaughlin, Alaska Div of Public
Health. S Imholte, K Komatsu, Arizona Dept of Health Svcs. E Wells,
Michigan Dept of Community Health. M Landen, D Selvage, M Sewell, C
Smelser, D Thompson, New Mexico Dept of Health. K Bradley, C
McDonald, Oklahoma State Dept of Health. R Leman, M Powell, Oregon
Dept of Human Svcs. T Miller, L VanderBusch, North Dakota Dept of
Health. L Kightlinger, South Dakota Dept of Health. R Boulton, Utah
Dept of Health. K Lofy, AA Marfin, Washington State Dept of Health. R
McClinton, Wyoming Dept of Health. M Hoopes, Northwest Portland
Tribal Epidemiology Center. T Kim, California Tribal Epidemiology
Center. JM Hayes, Tribal Epidemiology Center, United South and
Eastern Tribes. Z Mahal, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona Epidemiology
Center. E Chao, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. T
Weiser, Portland area; JE Cheek, JT Redd, Div of Epidemiology and
Disease Prevention, Indian Health Svc. R Bryan, Office of State and
Local Support, Office of the Director; M Jhung, nfluenza Div,
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; M
Morrison, D O'Leary, Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program,
Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency
Response; M Nichols, EIS Officer, CDC.)

MMWR Editorial Note:
----------------------
The AI/AN population is culturally diverse and spread among
approximately 560 federally recognized tribal communities in 34
states and multiple urban areas (2). Health disparities between the
AI/AN population and other racial/ethnic populations are well
documented (3). Mortality rates and trends for respiratory diseases
indicate that AI/ANs are at increased risk for death resulting from
pneumonia and influenza (4,5). Although AI/AN death rates varied
among the 12 participating states in this study, the aggregate AI/AN
H1N1-related death rate from 12 states was 4 times higher than that
of all other racial/ethnic groups combined.

The higher mortality rate among AI/ANs observed in this investigation
is consistent with reports of increased influenza-related morbidity
and mortality among indigenous populations in other parts of the
world during the current H1N1 pandemic and also is consistent with
observations from previous pandemics (1,2). After the influenza
pandemic of 1918-19, U.S. government investigators reported that
influenza-related mortality rates among AI/ANs were 4 times higher
than the rates observed among persons in general urban populations (2).

The factors that produce a higher influenza mortality rate among
AI/ANs are unknown but might include higher prevalence of underlying
chronic illness such as diabetes. The age-specific prevalence of
diabetes in AI/AN adults is 2-3 times higher than for all U.S. adults
(6). In addition, AI/ANs are twice as likely to have unmet medical
needs because of cost (7). AI/ANs also have the highest poverty rate
(30 percent), which is twice the national rate and 3 times the rate
for whites among households with children aged less than 18 years
(8), suggesting that delayed access to medical care and living
conditions associated with poverty might contribute to their higher
influenza mortality rate.

The findings in this report are subject to at least 5 limitations.
1st, AI/AN decedents often are mis-classified as persons of other
races on death certificates, decreasing the number of A1/AN deaths by
as much as 30 percent in some reports (9). 2nd, the time lags in
reporting of deaths and the manner in which states collect death data
and classify decedents as at high risk for influenza complications
might vary and affect rate ratios in an unpredictable manner. 3rd,
race and ethnicity were unknown for 19 deaths, although for a
conservative comparison, these deaths were included with the combined
group of all other racial/ethnic populations. 4th, greater incidence
of influenza disease among AI/ANs might have contributed to the
higher mortality rate; however, the incidence of disease among AI/ANs
is unlikely to be so much greater than all other populations that it
could account for a mortality rate that is 4 times higher. Data on
race/ethnicity are not collected consistently for influenza patients.
Finally, although over 99 percent of all identified influenza strains
in the United States during the investigation period were thought to
be H1N1, confirmation by rRT-PCR or viral culture was not required
for inclusion in this analysis.

Effective public health responses to influenza will depend on
accurate and complete reporting of race/ethnicity in all state and
federal mortality surveillance systems. Community education regarding
the risk for influenza mortality among AI/ANs should be expanded.
Increased efforts should be made to promote awareness among AI/ANs
and their health-care providers about the signs and symptoms of
influenza and recommendations for vaccination and the use of
influenza antiviral medications early in the course of suspected
influenza illness for those at increased risk for complications.
Finally, factors that might contribute to increased influenza-related
mortality in the AI/AN population, including the role of underlying
chronic medical conditions and social determinants of health, should
be topics for future investigation.

‘Little ripple' in swine flu cases noted
Texas Children’s Hospital doctors, others watching to see if trend grows
By PEGGY O'HARE
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
March 13, 2010, 7:23AM

Doctors have noticed a small rise in the number of flu cases at Texas Children's Hospital in the past few weeks, and health officials are hoping the coming months won't bring a repeat of last spring's rash of swine flu illness.

“It's a slight but steady increase over the last seven to 10 days — it's a little ripple,” said Dr. Gail Demmler-Harrison, director of the hospital's diagnostic virology laboratory and also with the Baylor College of Medicine. “But it's been a sustained ripple of influenza A virus detections. So we're waiting to see what's going to happen.”

There were two culture-confirmed cases of Type A influenza in December, three in January and seven in February — all found to be of the swine flu subtype, Demmler-Harrison said.

Five cases of Type A influenza surfaced in the first week of March, but tests are still pending to determine if those are swine flu, she said.

Plenty of vaccines to protect against the swine flu remain available, and more can be obtained if necessary, said Kathy Barton, spokeswoman for the Houston Department of Health and Human Services. The vaccinations can be found at numerous pharmacies and are available during regular business hours Monday through Friday at the city health department facilities, she said.

Barton said she has heard of only two swine flu cases coming out of the city department's lab.

“Right now we haven't seen enough for our hair to be on fire — but we are concerned,” Barton said. “This is exactly the time of year we saw it pop up last spring in Mexico — in March — and then it got to us in April. So it could happen again.”

The illness hit Houston hard last April and May, closing some schools. It simmered over the summer before reaching its peak in September and October, Demmler-Harrison said.

“Last season, there were lots of infections, and there were deaths and there were seriously ill children,” she said. “But there were lots of children that also recovered uneventfully.”

18 deaths in county
Harris County has seen 28 deaths and 219 hospitalizations from swine flu since April 15, 2009, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas reported 222 deaths and more than 2,200 hospitalizations during that time frame, the agency said.

About 59 million Americans caught the illness last year, resulting in about 12,000 deaths and 265,000 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People can best protect themselves by getting vaccinated, washing their hands, staying home if the get sick and calling their doctor if they begin suffering from flu-like symptoms, Demmler-Harrison said.

“There are also a lot of other viruses still circulating now … all transmitted in similar manner,” she said. “So just because somebody right now gets a flu-like illness does not mean it's the swine flu. It could be one of the half dozen other viruses causing similar symptoms.”

I believe VA is starting another round of ad campaigns to push the vaccines they have in storage due to the fact less people saught them than anticipated. I believe the budget for this was secured during the onset from the federal level so it will not be costing the state to push another round of public service spots on radio and t.v.

I believe this push is not due to a raise in swineflu cases but because the vaccines have expiration and disposing unused vaccines will cost the state money in addition to current storage.

Of course, I believe when people get the vaccine because of the recent push the number of actual cases will spike due to the virus shedding from spraying it into your nose.

Hopefully the Obama Admin will look into Baxter the same way as they are Monsanto...

Not saying that ANYTHING will come of it but at least they are looking into it

I'm not so sure, L, that will happen. I remembered something about Obama and Baxter, so I looked it up.

Barack Obama has shares in Baxter

The President of the United States, Barack Obama has shares in Baxter, the company many say is responsible for the h1n1 swine flu pandemic. Back 2005 Barack Obama bought $50,000 worth of stock in two companies.
Right after he bought the shares also in 2005 Barack Obama (still a senator at that time) introduced the first comprehensive bill to address the threat of avian influenza pandemic. AVIAN Act (S. 969)
Then it makes it even more interesting that over $60 million dollars was awarded for a vaccine against the bird flu (2007) that at the time did not mutate till afterwards.

http://fto.co.za/news/barack-obama-h...111015772.html

Awe geeze well there goes that theory

Thanks Ruts