(0930 HRS PST)
The next update will be on Tuesday, June 22nd, at 08:30 PST.
GMS will be reverting back to providing summaries twice a week as a result of the reduced frequency of updates from health organizations.
The WHO Pandemic Alert level remains at Phase 6.
Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths
- Yesterday, the World Health Organization released its latest case count for novel H1N1 influenza worldwide: 44,287 cases and 180 deaths in over 80 countries, up 4,667 cases and 13 deaths from Thursday’s numbers. Countries reporting the greatest increase in laboratory-confirmed cases since the last WHO update were Mexico (1,383), Canada (856), Chile (790), the United Kingdom (291), and Thailand (208). WHO
Local/National News
- Canada’s case numbers have not been updated since June 17th, when the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced that the number of confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) since June 12th has risen to 4,905 from 4,049. Of the Canadian cases thus far, 284 required hospitalization and 12 deaths have occurred. PHAC
- Leaders from three of Manitoba's First Nations communities met with Canada's health minister yesterday and said their demand for a field hospital in the area was turned down. They said federal officials said that a field hospital could slow novel flu outbreak response efforts. The chiefs said they also raised concerns about the 20 hours it takes to transport severely ill patients to Winnipeg for treatment, but said they believe federal officials heard their issues. CanWest News Service
International News
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other experts have rejected a report that a new strain of the novel H1N1 influenza virus has been identified in a Brazilian patient. Earlier, Scientists at Adolfo Lutz Bacteriological Institute in Sao Paolo said they found the new strain in a local patient. However, according to CDC spokesman, Joe Quimby, "It's the same strain; it's not a new strain." CIDRAP
- In some U.S. areas hit hardest by the novel flu virus, up to 7% of the population may have been infected, a CDC official said at a news briefing yesterday. "In some areas where there's been a lot of transmission, such as New York City, they're finding that maybe around 7% of the community was infected or had influenza-like illness," said Dr. Daniel Jernigan of the CDC's flu division. However,he said thatthe percentage does not apply nationwide. Transcripts of CDC H1N1 briefings
- Thirty-three infants born prematurely at a North Carolina hospital are receiving precautionary H1N1 flu treatments after possibly being exposed to the virus by a respiratory therapist. Medical Director, Dr. Tim Lane, said the therapist treated a patient who later tested positive for the virus. The therapist worked a shift in the babies' unit several days later. AP
- Japan's health ministry will close special clinics for people with influenza infections in an effort to prevent people from overwhelming them in the fall if a more severe wave of the novel H1N1 virus strikes. Officials fear overcrowded clinics could delay treatment for those with severe illnesses. Sick patients will be treated at any medical clinic. The ministry also said it would scale back quarantine measures at entry ports to pre-pandemic levels. Asahi Shimbun
Vaccine News
- Targeting children for vaccination may be the best way of using limited supplies of vaccine to control the current H1N1 flu pandemic, British researchers said on Thursday. Researchers from the University of Warwick said that vaccinating children rather than adults would not only help protect a group at greatest risk of exposure to the virus, but would also offer protection to unvaccinated adults. This so-called "herd immunity" effect would mean significantly less vaccine would be needed. Reuters
Today’s Key Question
What is the timeline for pandemic vaccine development in Canada?
The Government of Canada has already negotiated a long-term contract with Glaxo-Smith-Kline (GSK), a pharmaceutical company, to secure domestic capacity to develop and produce virus-specific vaccines in the event of an influenza pandemic. The Government of Canada’s longstanding contract with GSK requires the company to develop and produce vaccines for every person in Canada in the event of a pandemic, and gives Canada priority access to GSK’s vaccine production over that of any other potential purchaser of vaccines.
However, this does not ensure the immediate availability of a vaccine in the event of a pandemic. In fact, once a particular strain of virus has been identified, it can take around six months for an influenza vaccine to be developed and tested. The following outlines the steps necessary to develop a virus vaccine and the measures Canada has taken to date with regards to the H1N1 flu virus vaccine development process.
Identification of the virus:
Development of a Primary Seed:
Development and Production:
Testing:
The H1N1 strain has never before been incorporated into an influenza vaccine and as such, there may be unknown factors which could require changes to the current vaccine manufacturing process. Tests must be conducted to confirm basic information on the vaccine. A small clinical study with humans will also be conducted to ensure that the vaccine is safe and that it produces an immune response - or protects humans – against the strain of H1N1. This process may take an additional 6 weeks.
Review and Authorization:
Health Canada is working to ensure that mechanisms are in place for review and authorization of a safe and effective vaccine for use in Canada within the shortest time frame possible, and that trained staff is available for the timely testing and release of pandemic vaccine lots after it has been authorized for use in Canada. Their review of data would be concurrent with production and will likely take an additional one week.
Based on the above timelines and a best-case scenario, an H1N1 vaccine may be available in November.
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