The WHO Pandemic Alert level remains at Phase 5.
Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths by Country (as of 8 AM PST May 19th)
Local/National News
- On May 18th, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced that no new cases of Influenza A (H1N1) had been confirmed in the country.
- PHAC no longer recommends Canadians postpone elective or non-essential travel to Mexico. Travellers who go to Mexico should follow recommendations outlined by PHAC and continue to consult the PHAC web site to remain informed regarding the Influenza A (H1N1) virus and travel-related recommendations.
International News
- At the opening of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, several countries urged WHO Director-General Margaret Chan to revise the pandemic alert system, as it reflects geographic spread but not the severity of disease. Chan said the alert level will remain at phase 5, despite Japan reporting over a hundred cases—up from four a few days earlier. She also stated that, “The virus has given us a grace period” but cautioned against complacency. “No one can say whether this is just the calm before the storm.” Science Insider
- At yesterday’s U.S. CDC press briefing, Anne Schuchat of the science and public health program said some unusual patterns are emerging with the novel H1N1 virus in young people. Officials have already noted that the new virus has disproportionately affected younger people, she said. However, she specified that hospitalizations are primarily occurring in those between the ages of 5 to 24 years old. Schuchat asserted that the number of school closures this late in the season in diverse parts of the country is also unusual. CIDRAP
Today’s Key Question
Is there a better way to warn of a pandemic?
American researchers say monitoring human behaviour, such as people buying flu-related medications or Google searches, may be a way to warn of pandemic.
Barrett Caldwell, a Purdue University associate professor of industrial engineering, said the conventional monitoring approach requires public health officials to know when certain events leading to pandemic begin. "The problem with this requirement is that by the time you know an event has happened, it's often too late to do much about it," said Caldwell.
Caldwell and Sandra K. Garrett, an assistant professor of industrial engineering at Clemson University, have proposed this new approach to warn the public of an impending pandemic. "If you can recognize the triggers (the signals suggesting an event is likely to occur), you can start responding to it, gathering resources, and preparing and mobilizing people," said Garrett. UPI
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