With flu vaccination season in full swing, study from the University of Rochester Medical Center cautions that use of many frequent discomfort killers — Advil, Tylenol, aspirin — at the time of injection may blunt the impact of the shot and have a negative impact on the immune program.
Richard P. Phipps, Ph.D., professor of Environmental Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, and of Pediatrics, has been studying this problem for years and recently presented his most recent findings to an international conference on inflammatory diseases.
“What we’ve been saying all along, and continue to anxiety, is the fact that it’s almost certainly not a great idea to take common, over-the-counter discomfort relievers for minor discomfort related with vaccination,” Phipps said. “We have studied this question utilizing virus particles, live virus, and different kinds of pain relievers, in human blood samples and in mice — and all of our analysis shows that pain relievers interfere using the effect of the vaccine.”
A study by researchers within the Czech Republic reported equivalent findings in the Oct. 17, 2009, edition of The Lancet. They discovered that giving acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, to infants weakens the immune response to vaccines.
Phipps’ analysis has tested whether production of antibodies using a cell culture system was blunted by over-the-counter discomfort relievers. He discovered that various discomfort relievers — although Tylenol and Advil have diverse ingredients — seemed to dilute the production of required antibodies to protect against illness.
Many of the discomfort relievers in question are classified as NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which act in component by blocking the cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) enzyme. Blocking the cox-2 enzyme just isn’t a great thought inside the context of vaccination, even so, since the cox-2 enzyme is needed for the optimal production of B-lymphocytes.
Therefore, when a person takes a medication to lessen discomfort and fever, he or she may possibly also inadvertently reduce the capacity of B cells to create antibodies.
Phipps and colleagues also demonstrated that timing of the administration of pain relievers is important at the same time, based on the study published earlier this year within the journal Cellular Immunology.
They exposed human cells and mice to ibuprofen, Tylenol, aspirin and naproxen (Aleve) in amounts comparable to doses frequently used by millions of Americans each and every day to prevent or treat discomfort and fever, or arthritis, or to stop heart attack and stroke.
Treatment in the course of the earliest stages of inflammation – or when the very first signs of pain, swelling, redness or fever would occur – had probably the most detrimental effects on the immune method, the study noted.
The connection between NSAIDs and antibody production is nonetheless getting actively pursued. Phipps said researchers believe ibuprofen, in certain, affects lymphocytes’ capacity to generate antibodies.
Meanwhile, until a full clinical trial offers a clearer picture, Phipps urges normal users of NSAIDs to be aware of the risks.
“NSAIDs are among the most typically employed drugs; they’re advised for all age categories, are prescribed for relieving transient pain or in instances of critical inflammatory illnesses,” Phipps stated. “By decreasing antibody synthesis, NSAIDs also have the capacity to weaken the immune program which can have severe consequences for kids, the elderly as well as the immune-compromised patients.”
The U.S. Public Well being Service has funded Phipps’ studies. URMC co-investigators on the study in Cellular Immunology include: David Topham, Ph.D., an expert within the immune response to influenza and a principal investigator within the David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, and Simona Bancos and Matthew P. Bernard, of the Department of Environmental Medicine, Lung Biology and Illness Program.
One of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, the University of Rochester Medical Center types the centerpiece of the University’s health study, teaching, patient care, and community outreach missions. The Medical Center receives more than $230 million in external analysis funding per year and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry ranks in the top one-quarter of U.S. medical centers in federal study funding. The University’s wellness care delivery network is anchored by Powerful Memorial Hospital – a 739-bed, University-owned teaching hospital. As upstate New York’s premier well being care delivery network, patients benefit from the Medical Center’s robust teaching and biomedical research programs.
H1N1 pandemic swine flu vaccine supplies are “on track to hit the 10 million increase” based on the Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a telephone conference on Tuesday, CDC Director Tom Frieden told the press that:
“As of right now there are 31.8 million doses of flu vaccine obtainable.”
He stated the US was now on track to hit the anticipated and hoped for 10 million improve for the present week.
“We’ll update you Friday as to whether the 10 million mark was met and where it has been shipped,” he promised.
Frieden explained that this was not almost as much as they would have liked, and acknowledged that the shortfall was “disruptive” for folks who are attempting but cannot get hold of the vaccine, and that this was not simply frustrating for patients and doctors but it is also poor for public wellness because an individual who tries and fails to obtain vaccine now is unlikely to attempt again later.
“We ask individuals to continue to be persistent,” urged Frieden.
Frieden said diverse states are setting distinct priorities about who gets vaccinated initial, and some states are sub-prioritizing.
“But since there are distinct vaccine forms with the live continuing vaccine only for healthy men and women ages 2 to 49, the live vaccine, the nasal spray is primarily used for well being care workers and healthy youngsters,” explained Frieden.
In answer to a question about the significance of storing the vaccine at the correct temperature, Frieden stated there have already been a couple of examples of improper handling that have led to vaccines getting discarded, but with “30 million doses out there” this kind of factor was inevitable, and they had been “glad it is been relatively rare”.
The question arose because of a report from Pennsylvania that 6,000 flu shots had to be disregarded simply because they had been stored at the wrong temperature in a school refrigerator.
The CDC is also seeing unprecedented demand for seasonal flu vaccine, and they hear that individuals are also experiencing difficulty obtaining hold of that. As opposed to the swine flu vaccine, only 10 per cent of seasonal flu vaccine is bought by the government; the majority of it is handled by the market.
Frieden reminded people that antivirals are successful at reducing the severity of flu:
“If you’re having trouble breathing, should you got better after which got worse again, or for those who have an underlying condition like asthma, heart illness, lung illness, diabetes, then seek care promptly,” he urged, explaining that antivirals do make a difference and decrease the likelihood of becoming severely ill or hospitalized.
Frieden reminded everyone to safeguard themselves and other people by washing their hands frequently, and covering their mouths when they sneezed and coughed.
“Flu season lasts until Could. We do not know what will happen,” stated Frieden.
As a result of a recent telephone survey, the CDC estimates that about half the folks with asthma have not been searching for care when they fall ill with flu-like illness. Despite the fact that most of them had been in a position to answer the phone when followed up weeks later, so in that regard the CDC assumes “nothing terrible happened”, Frieden stated that:
“We would like much more individuals to seek care if they’ve an underlying condition with flu-like illness.”
Frieden confirmed that the CDC is continuing to see high rates of hospitalizations in locations exactly where there is much more flu, and that kids and young adults below the age of 15 account for many of them.
In answer to a question, Frieden explained that folks who had been obese, ie having a BMI of 40 or greater, had been also at higher risk of flu complication, and this could be since individuals having a high BMI also often have underlying well being troubles like diabetes or heart disease. For overweight people within the BMI range 30 to 40 the information is “more mixed” he stated, and it was not clear whether they were at higher risk of complications from swine flu.
Frieden said they didn’t but have sufficient details to report how the H1N1 swine flu was affecting healthcare workers, and whether they had been catching it at house or inside the workplace, and if inside the workplace no matter whether they were acquiring it from patients or colleagues.
He did say even so that there was a higher than usual uptake this year of flu vaccination among healthcare workers.
Source: CDC.
Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced with no permission of Medical News Right now
Hoping to preserve the flu at bay? A powerful immune method assists. Enjoying the bounty of colorful fruits and vegetables available proper now can be an essential step toward supporting your family’s immune program this cold/flu season.
In addition to vitamins, minerals and fiber, fruits and vegetables include phytonutrients, believed to come from the com-pounds that give these foods their vibrant colors. These phytonutrients give a wide range of well being benefits, includ-ing supporting a wholesome immune method.
A new study, America’s Phytonutrient Report, identified eight in 10 Americans are missing out on the wellness rewards of a diet plan wealthy in colorful fruits and veggies, resulting in a phytonutrient gap. The report looked at fruit and vegetable consumption in 5 color categories, particularly green, red, white, blue/purple and yellow/orange, and the phytonutrients found in every single color category.
Eating various colorful fruits and vegetables is one strategy to support keep you and your loved ones wholesome. Foods within the red category are especially valuable to our immune systems, furthermore to supporting heart well being. Tomatoes, pomegranate, red cabbage, cranberries, even pink grapefruit give the phytonutrients lycopene and ellagic acid.
The wellness benefits of foods within the yellow/orange category assistance a healthwell being. And they assist maintain skin hydration – crucial as we head into these cold, dry months. These foods pro-vide beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, quercetin along with other phytonutrients that will be converted into Vitamin A. Deli-cious and nutritious yellow/orange fruits and vegetables available now incorporate: carrots, squash, sweet potatoes and pi-neapple.
For optimal health, aim to eat two foods from each and every of the five color categories – green, red, white, blue/purple and orange/yellow – for a total of 10 servings every day. Some of Amy Hendel’s favorite ideas to assist fill phytonutrient gaps:
Instead of tossing out fruits or veggies that look a bit wilted or bruised, use them. Add chopped vegetables to canned soup. Bake cored apples with a bit of cinnamon, a sprinkle of raisins and lemon zest. Or, perk up a muffin recipe with by adding an over-riped banana.
When baking omega-3 wealthy fish, top with tomatoes, onions and other veggies, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes and rosemary. Herbs and spices are packed with antioxidants too.
Pureed fruit added to baking recipes provides moisture AND phytonutrients, even though cutting fat. Try pureed plums in brownies and mashed cherries in meatloaf or hamburgers.
Finally, even though eating entire fruits and vegetables may be the goal, a natural, plant-based supplement like those made by Nutrilite can support fill phytonutrient gaps inside your diet program.
Far more data about phytonutrients and the phytonutrient gap , such as America’s Phytonutrient Report and easy ideas for coloring up your diet plan, could be discovered here.
UGL Unicco, a subsidiary of United Group Limited (UGL), right now announced its UGL Unicco Flu Preparedness and Business Continuity Strategy. It is a comprehensive set of procedures and cleaning services which are designed to help make certain the health and safety of customers’ personnel, the public and UGL Unicco workers in the course of flu events, up to and including pandemic events.
The program begins by designating a chain of command starting having a Business Continuity Manager and alternates for every single account. It also calls for the implementation of emergency communications procedures that consist of hotlines, pre-arranged phone conferencing and pre-developed contact lists for clients, civil authorities and emergency responders.
The organization has defined new procedures and further coaching for employees, and set clear guidelines on employee well being and work attendance to reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus.
An escalated cleaning regimen is also defined for high transmission spaces like elevators, stairwells, washrooms and kitchens; and surfaces which are frequently touched by hands, such as door knobs, countertops, desks, elevator buttons and panels, telephones, keyboards, etc. These locations and surfaces will likely be cleaned with specialized disinfecting cleaners following strict application and drying guidelines. Cleaning frequencies and times could also be adjusted to increase sanitation and accommodate customers’ schedules.
UGL Unicco staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and some locations may be closed for disinfecting. Consumer employees might be asked to remove private items so UGL Unicco cleaners can do a much more effective job of cleaning work surfaces. Further procedures have already been defined for UGL Unicco’s upkeep along with other service staff to respond towards the pandemic.
“This will be the most ambitious cleaning program we have ever instituted,” said UGL Unicco Vice President and Common Manager Operations David Giamichael. “The updated and revised UGL Unicco Flu Preparedness and Organization Continuity Strategy supplements our customers’ response programs by adding our expertise and efforts to the equation. It builds on our assistance of consumers by way of natural disasters and our experience last spring helping commercial corporations, governmental agencies and universities respond to neighborhood H1N1 outbreaks.”
Health experts from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (ABH), a National Hajj distinct organisation express their grave concern concerning the safety and wellbeing of more than 25,000 British Hajj pilgrims who will start travelling from next week to join much more than two million people from all over the world to carry out the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The wellness professionals are concerned that in spite of a clear assistance from Saudi Arabian Government and also the World Well being Organisation (WHO) a substantial number of high risk categories i.e. folks who suffer from chronic disease, pregnant girls, young children below 12 and those aged more than 65 are travelling to carry out Hajj with out getting vaccinated against the swine flu which can result in significant consequence effecting the people and also the wellness technique.
The well being experts are issuing a last-minute warning to the prospective pilgrims that they ought to be prepared for the screening approach that’s taking place at all ports of entry to Saudi Arabia. If pilgrims are suspected of getting swine flu then they’ll be temporarily quarantined and if tested positive they are going to be admitted to hospital for isolation.
The pilgrims should take the threat of swine flu seriously and they ought to take all needed precautionary measures to safeguard their wellness. They really should make private hygienic habits like covering the nose while sneezing, coughing into a tissue and washing hands with water and soap. They need to also utilise the private hygiene kit that includes face masks and hand sanitizers which will be created offered to them by the Saudi authorities at the airport upon arrival.
Khalid Pervez, Common Secretary of ABH advised that “prospective British Hajj pilgrims ought to take lead of Egypt which has created well being insurance coverage mandatory for all their pilgrims to ensure that they wouldn’t have any dilemma in getting treatment in Saudi hospitals”.
Source Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (A.B.H)
A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, state officials confirmed this morning, marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza.
The cat, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone within the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or individuals.
Prior to this diagnosis, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and also the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) are reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between folks and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event. Pet owners need to monitor their pets’ wellness very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.
The AVMA is actively tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on our Web site at http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus.
Article Opinions:1 posts The World Health Organization recently declared H1N1 swine flu a global pandemic, resulting within the creation of rigorous vaccination programs worldwide. Young children are among those considered particularly susceptible to contracting swine flu and are viewed as a top priority in receiving this vaccine.
Most H1N1 swine flu vaccines are prepared from virus grown in chicken’s eggs, resulting in a vaccine that contains remnants of egg proteins. Egg allergy is among the most frequent food allergies in infants and young kids. The allergy can be mild or severe but oftentimes the severity level remains unidentified. Regardless of whether a child will be at low or high risk for a clinical reaction as a consequence of receiving this vaccine depends upon the severity of their allergy. As the number of swine flu vaccinations increases, the likelihood of clinical reactions occurring in youngsters with an undetected severe egg allergy intensifies.
Following exposure to egg, children with this allergy may possibly suffer from clinical reactions including rash, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections and even anaphylaxis. In a press release issued last month, the US Food and Drug Administration suggested against H1N1 influenza vaccination for individuals with severe or life-threatening allergies to chicken eggs. Determining the severity of egg allergy is essential to knowing whether or not or not a child can safely receive the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.
Phadia offers complete lab testing to accurately diagnose and identify severity level of egg allergy. ImmunoCAP, Phadia’s precise, reliable allergy test that measures IgE antibodies, indicates clinical reaction to both egg white (f1) and ovomucoid (f233). The f1 test will help the physician to confirm or rule out an allergy to egg white. If an allergy to egg white is confirmed, the f233 follow-up test can be conducted to identify the severity of egg allergy and regardless of whether the child is at low or high risk for clinical reaction. Phadia will be the only company to offer this crucial follow-up test.
Phadia’s state-of-the-art ImmunoCAP allergy test technique facilitates diagnosis in kids with suspected egg allergy, and, upon diagnosis, determines the level of allergy severity. These comprehensive tests allow physicians to provide timely advice to parents and caregivers anxious to know regardless of whether or not their child should receive the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. Given the prevalence of the infection and urgency of the vaccination protocol now in place, Phadia’s advanced allergy testing technology couldn’t come at a much more critical time. As the market leader in allergy testing, Phadia is committed to meeting the needs of the healthcare community.
As flu season approaches, parents around the country are starting to face school closures. But how bad ought to an influenza outbreak be for a school to shut down? A study led by epidemiologists John Brownstein, PhD, and Anne Gatewood Hoen, PhD of the Children’s Hospital Boston Informatics Program, in collaboration Asami Sasaki of the University of Niigata Prefecture (Niigata, Japan), tapped a detailed set of Japanese data to help guide decision making by schools and government agencies. The analysis was published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inside the November issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“Currently many U.S. schools don’t have specific or consistent algorithms for deciding whether or not to shut down,” says Brownstein. “They don’t always use quantitative data, and it might be a political or fear-based decision rather than a data-based 1.”
Sasaki, Hoen and Brownstein analyzed flu absenteeism data from a Japanese school district with 54 elementary schools. Tracking four consecutive flu seasons (2004-2008), they asked what pattern of flu absenteeism was best for detecting a true school outbreak — balanced against the practical need to keep schools open if possible.
“You’d want get a school closed ahead of an epidemic peaks, to stop transmission of the virus, but you also don’t wish to close a school unnecessarily,” explains Brownstein. “We also wanted an algorithm that’s not too complex, that could be easily implemented by schools.”
A school outbreak was defined as a daily flu absentee rate of more than 10 percent of students. After comparing more than two dozen possible scenarios for closing a school, the analysis suggested three optimal scenarios:
A single-day influenza-related absentee rate of 5 percent
Absenteeism of 4 percent or much more on two consecutive days
Absenteeism of 3 percent or more on three consecutive days
The scenarios #2 and #3 performed similarly, using the greatest sensitivity and specificity for predicting a flu outbreak (i.e., the fewest missed predictions and also the fewest “false positives.”) Both gave much better results than the single-day scenario (#1). The researchers suggest that scenario #2 (with a sensitivity of 0.84 and a specificity of 0.77) might be the preferred early warning trigger, balancing the need to stop transmission using the need to minimize unnecessary closures.
“Our method would give school administrators or government agencies a basis for timely closure decisions, by allowing them to predict the escalation of an outbreak using past absenteeism data,” says Hoen. “It could be used with data from schools in other communities to provide predictions. It would leave decision-making in the hands of local officials, but provide them with a data-driven basis for making those choices.”
Japan makes a great model for studying influenza in schools simply because it closely monitors school absenteeism due to flu, requires testing for the flu virus in students who grow to be ill, and has a track record of instituting partial or complete school closures during outbreaks. However, Brownstein cautions that the scenarios might play out differently within the U.S. than they would in Japan, mainly simply because students here aren’t required to be tested for influenza as they’re in Japan, so it is much less certain no matter whether they actually have the flu. Also, the vaccination status of students in this study was unknown.
Last spring, during the early days of the H1N1 influenza pandemic, the CDC suggested initial a 7-day school closure, then a 14-day closure following appearance of the first suspected case. Later, as a lot more became known concerning the extent of community spread and illness severity, the CDC changed the recommendation to advise against school closure unless absentee rates interfered with school function. CDC’s present guidelines (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/schoolguidance.htm, 10/21/09) do not provide a specific algorithm, but state that “the decision to selectively dismiss a school really should be created locally,” in conjunction with neighborhood and state wellness officials, “and ought to balance the risks of keeping the students in school using the social disruption that school dismissal can cause.” When the decision is produced to dismiss students, CDC recommends doing so for five to 7 calendar days.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, the Boston University School of Public Health, and Niigata University were coauthors on the study. The study was funded by the Takemi Program, the Japan Foundation for the Promotion of International Medical Research Cooperation, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Illness, the National Institutes of Wellness Research and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Citation: Sasaki A, et al. Evidenced-based tool for triggering school closures during influenza outbreaks, Japan. Emerg Infect Dis 2009 Nov. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/15/11/1841.htm.
“My body aches and my head is throbbing. Do I have the flu or is it just since I’m stressed or tired? Do I need a flu shot? Do I need the H1N1 vaccine, too?”
Millions of Americans will be asking themselves these and a lot more questions this fall and winter as news reports and health care providers continue to warn about seasonal influenza and novel H1N1 influenza, otherwise known as swine flu.
The flu symptoms self-assessment tool on MayoClinic.com helps you assess whether or not you or your loved ones have some form of flu, or just a cold. If you possibly or likely have the flu, you’ll also learn whether or not antiviral medication is an option. And you can check a concise list of high-risk groups who ought to seek medical attention for the flu.
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory technique, including the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. If you’re generally healthy and you catch influenza – frequently called the flu – you’re likely to feel rotten for a few days, but you most likely won’t develop complications or need hospital care. If you have a weakened immune method or chronic illness though, influenza can be fatal.
Novel H1N1 flu, popularly known as swine flu , is a respiratory infection caused by an influenza virus 1st recognized in spring 2009. The new virus, which is officially called swine influenza A (H1N1), contains genetic material from human, swine and avian flu viruses. Unlike typical swine flu, H1N1 flu spreads quickly and easily.
Based on the expertise of Mayo Clinic infectious disease and epidemiology scientists and physicians, as well as other specialists for specific populations such as youngsters or pregnant women, MayoClinic.com provides continually-updated and credible details regarding the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines and treatment recommendations.
Because the news broke of a housecat in Iowa testing positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, pet owners and veterinarians alike have been scrambling to learn a lot more: Can my pet get sick? What would the symptoms of H1N1 in cats be? How is it identified? How is it treated?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has been in constant contact with experts and agencies across the country to learn much more about this case and share this data with the public and veterinarians. The results of these efforts are now available on the AVMA’s Web site, where those wanting to learn much more can access continuously updated “Frequently Asked Questions” on the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, how the virus may well affect pets, and what veterinarians need to know when talking with clients and treating patients.
These resources, along with additional, frequently updated information on H1N1, are available on the AVMA’s Web site at http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus.
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 aren’t able to take the drugs which are currently available as pills or liquid and could benefit from intravenous antiviral medications.
To help meet the potential need for IV medications to combat the H1N1 virus, HHS ordered 10,000 treatment courses every from BioCryst, Roche and GlaxoSmithKline, totaling $31.five million. The contracts allow HHS to place additional orders of up to 30,000 treatment courses with each manufacturer over two years. Roche manufactures Tamiflu; GlaxoSmithKline, Relenza, and BioCryst manufactures Peramivir.
Because there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral medications that can be administered intravenously to treat influenza, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization on Oct. 23 to allow use of intravenous Peramivir, an investigational antiviral drug inside the class of drugs known as neuraminidase inhibitors.
The HHS orders for intravenous oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and intravenous zanamivir (Relenza), also neuraminidase inhibitors, are predicated on FDA emergency use authorization for these medications.
FDA has not issued emergency use authorization authorizing the use of intravenous Tamiflu or Relenza. Orders for Tamiflu and Relenza are based on anticipated need of emergency use authorizations for additional IV drugs inside the future. Tamiflu and Relenza are FDA-approved in the form of pills or liquid, and studies are ongoing into the use of these two drugs intravenously for hospitalized H1N1 flu patients.
The emergency use authorization for IV Peramivir allowed doctors to prescribe the drug to treat certain adults and kids hospitalized with confirmed or suspected 2009 H1N1 infections. Specifically, IV Peramivir is authorized only for hospitalized adult and pediatric patients for whom therapy with an IV drug is clinically appropriate.
To authorize emergency use of any product, the FDA commissioner must determine that in an emergency, based on the totality of scientific evidence available, it truly is reasonable to believe that the product may be effective in diagnosing, treating, or preventing the serious or life threatening disease or condition; that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product in the emergency situation, and that there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the product for diagnosing, preventing, or treating such critical or life threatening disease or condition.
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will manage the contracts. BARDA supported the advanced development of IV Peramivir beginning in 2007 as part of a larger HHS initiative to develop promising new influenza medications and vaccines.
For more information on the emergency use of IV Peramivir authorized by FDA, including data for well being care providers on patient eligibility, see here. Healthcare providers can also call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). Additional details about BARDA contracts is available here.
Source U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The NPHS influenza surveillance scheme, which records reports of diagnoses of flu from more than 300 GP practices across Wales, shows that the increase inside the rate of influenza consultations has stalled over the last week. Further detail can be found on the NPHS website.
The report from 3 November estimates there were 65.7 cases of a flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 folks in Wales – this will be the equivalent of 1971 individuals in Wales contacting their GPs within the last seven days with flu like symptoms. Not all of these individuals will have swine flu and not every person with flu like symptoms will contact their GP.
It is expected that the proportion of influenza cases diagnosed that are due to swine flu will increase as the virus spreads in Wales.
The report also shows levels of influenza activity in every county of Wales. On 3 November, the rate of diagnosis of flu-like illness at a neighborhood level ranged from 18.five per 100,000 people in Monmouthshire to 119.1 per 100,000 men and women in Pembrokeshire.
GPs are no longer being asked to swab folks they suspect may possibly have swine flu. Microbiology laboratories are therefore no longer testing mostpeople suspected of having swine flu.
As at midday on 28 October, there have already been a total of 341 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu in Wales given that the start of the outbreak.
As at midday on 28 October, of the laboratory confirmed cases, a total of 192 had been admitted to hospital given that the start of the outbreak with 31 still in hospital.
On 28 October, there were 58 clinically diagnosed patients in hospital in connection with swine flu, 13 of whom had been in critical care.
On 28 October, the Welsh Assembly Government reported that it had been formally notified that seven men and women with swine flu in Wales have died. The Welsh Assembly Government is also aware of a swine flu-related death of a person from Wales abroad.
No further details will be confirmed or denied about cases in order to protect their right to confidentiality.
The rates of GP consultations for flu-like illness across the UK, which are taken from diverse surveillance schemes and are not directly comparable, are:
60.18 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs in the previous seven days out of every 100,000 people in Wales (as of 25 October).
42.8 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs within the previous seven days out of every 100,000 folks in England (for the week ending 25 October)
111.4 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Scotland (for the week ending 26 October)
280.6 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 folks in Northern Ireland (for the week ending 23 October)
138 people within the UK with swine flu have died – 7 in Wales, 97 in England 26 in Scotland and 8 in Northern Ireland. The majority had underlying well being conditions.
For the latest international figures for the spread of swine flu, visit the website of the World Health Organization at http://www.who.int Comment from the National Public Health Service for Wales Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Well being Service for Wales, said:
“The number of individuals contacting their GP with flu symptoms has stalled. This could be due to the half-term break, similar to the effect seen over this year’s summer holidays. It truly is too early to say regardless of whether this changing trend means that the rate of consultations for influenza has peaked.
“Not every person who has contacted their GP with flu like symptoms will have swine flu. It is also true that not everybody with flu like symptoms will contact their GP.
“The vaccine against swine flu has been tested and approved. It’s now being offered to folks at most risk of complications from the virus as well as front line wellness and social care workers. Vaccination will be the most effective tool we have in preventing swine flu so I urge people identified as being at risk to look out for their invitation to be vaccinated by their GP surgery.
“People with flu like symptoms ought to check their symptoms on http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or by calling the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.
“Most individuals will get greater at home with rest, plenty of fluids, and medication such as paracetamol.
“Antiviral medications are available for individuals who’re at particular risk from flu, or for individuals who turn into very ill.
“If symptoms worsen or people have underlying well being problems they should call their GP. Men and women ought to not go to Accident and Emergency Departments, a pharmacy or to their GP surgery unless advised to do so as this may possibly risk spreading the infection. It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.
“Over the last six months, the symptoms of swine flu have generally been like those of seasonal flu. A lot of people recover from the infection without needing to be admitted to hospital or to call a doctor. However, a couple of people go on to develop complications and as the pandemic continues we are seeing deaths from swine flu in Wales, just as we do most years from seasonal flu.
“Sadly, the number of deaths in Wales has increased. However, the great majority of men and women make a full recovery. By following public well being advice if they turn out to be ill, and taking up the swine flu vaccine now it’s available to those in at-risk groups, individuals can help avoid the spread of the virus and by exactly the same token help prevent death and serious disease.
“It is still critical that folks practice very good respiratory and hand hygiene to reduce the chance of catching or spreading viruses.”
Public wellness advice and messages
If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home. You can check your symptoms by calling the Swine Flu Details Line on 0800 1 513 513 or visiting www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk . If you are still concerned, phone your GP.
Do not go into your GP surgery or Accident and Emergency department unless you are advised to do so or are seriously ill, as you may spread the illness to other people.
Further information including wellness advice can be found at http://www.wales.gov.uk, www.nphs.wales.nhs.uk , http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk and http://www.hpa.org.uk. You can also call the Swine Flu Information line on 0800 1 513 513 for recorded details, or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for well being advice.
It is always excellent practice to follow respiratory and hand hygiene such as: Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, always carrying tissues, using a tissue when possible. Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully. Maintaining great basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other individuals. Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product. Helping your children follow this advice.
Facemasks
Although we are aware that facemasks had been being given out to the public in Mexico, the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who aren’t ill whilst going about their normal activities. We are, however, reviewing NHS supplies and stockpiles of facemasks for healthcare workers who’re likely to come into regular contact with people that may possibly have symptoms. The UK will receive an additional 227 million surgical facemasks and 34 million respirators.
Wales will receive its proportionate share.
Control measures
The European Medicines Agency has granted marketing authorisation to Celvapan (Baxter), Focetria (Novartis) and Pandemrix (GlaxoSmithKline) H1N1 swine flu vaccines.
The European Medicines Agency has strict processes in place for licensing pandemic vaccines. In preparing for a pandemic, appropriate trials to assess the safety and the immune responses have been carried out on vaccines very similar to the swine flu vaccine.
Supplies of the vaccine have arrived in Wales as well as the vaccination programme has started to protect those at most risk of complications of the virus and front line well being and social care workers.
The four UK nations have accepted the advice of the Joint Committee on
Vaccination and Immunisation on priority groups for swine flu vaccination:
People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
All pregnant girls, subject to licensing conditions on trimesters Household contacts of men and women with compromised immune systems e.g. individuals in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer.
People aged 65 and over inside the present seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise wholesome over 65s, because they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus.
Vaccination of frontline health and social care workers began at exactly the same time as the very first at-risk group, and will continue for as long as necessary. This group is at increased risk of infection and of transmitting that infection to susceptible patients. Protecting these people will help the NHS workforce to remain resilient and able to treat sick patients.
GPs are administering the vaccination programme following agreement between the Department of Health, the devolved Administrations, the General Practitioners Committee and NHS employers.
Around 60 million doses of vaccine are expected by the end of the year – sufficient for 30 million folks to be vaccinated – with more following following that.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has produced a webpage providing info for British citizens planning to attend the Hajj. The page is available here.
A leaflet providing advice for British Hajjis is available here.
Key advice included in the leaflet is that the elderly, pregnant girls, men and women with chronic diseases and kids ought to postpone the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages this year due to the high likelihood of transmission of flu in the course of the pilgrimage. Though well being care facilities for the Hajj are generally of a high standard, due to the large number of pilgrims, it might be much less than would normally be expected within the UK for individuals who are vulnerable to complications.
Features of the outbreak
Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the level of influenza pandemic alert at phase six on 11 June 2009.
Phase six indicates there is human-to-human spread of the virus in at least two countries in one World Health Organization region, with community level outbreaks in at least 1 other country in a various WHO region.
On 2 July the four UK nations agreed to move to the treatment phase in their response to the pandemic – treating men and women most at risk. Contact tracing and also the use of antivirals preventively were ended. GPs are providing clinical diagnosis of swine flu cases rather than awaiting laboratory test results.
Further wellness info for the public on swine flu is available bilingually from http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
Further public health information on swine flu and Pandemic Flu is available bilingually from http://www.nphs.wales.nhs.uk
Further info from the Welsh Assembly Government response is available bilingually at http://www.wales.gov.uk
Source National Public Wellness Service for Wales (NPHS)
