The next update will be on Thursday, June 25nd, at 08:30 PST.
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: 52,160 cases and 231 deaths in over 80 countries, up 7,873 cases and 51 deaths from Friday's numbers. Countries reporting the greatest increase in laboratory-confirmed cases since yesterday were the United States (3,594), the United Kingdom (754), Chile (1190), Canada (805), Australia (237), China (220) and Japan (160). WHO
Local/National News
- On June 22nd, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced that the number of confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) since June 19th has risen to 6,457 from 5,710. Of the Canadian cases thus far, 404 required hospitalization and 15 deaths have occurred. PHAC
- Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health said Monday that a six-year-old girl who had the H1N1 flu has died. "I called this news conference today to announce the death of a six-year-old girl from Peel Region with the H1N1 flu virus," Dr. Arlene King said Monday. "The child had not been hospitalized and passed away on June 15. On June 19, laboratory testing confirmed the H1N1 flu virus in this individual."
International News
- On June 19, the US State Department warned that travelers to China may be quarantined for 7 days if they arrive with a fever or flu-like symptoms. Chinese authorities target travelers with even slightly elevated temperatures if they come from areas with novel H1N1 cases, plus people sitting near them, the statement said. For more information, see Today’s Key Question. State Department
- The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has canceled its remaining summer camps after 11 children at camps in two US states got sick with novel H1N1 infections. The MDA said children who attend the camps have weakened respiratory muscles, which puts them in a high-risk flu group. The US CDC consulted on and agreed with the cancellation of the MDA's remaining 47 camps, which were set to host 2,500 children. MDA press release
- A 49-year-old Filipina with heart and liver ailments has died after contracting the new flu virus, the first such death in Asia, health officials in Manila said on Monday. The woman died at her home on June 19, two days after she first showed symptoms of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus, Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque told reporters. Reuters
- The new strain of H1N1 flu is causing "something different" to happen in the United States this year -- perhaps an extended year-round flu season that disproportionately hits young people, health officials said on Thursday. An unusually cool late spring may also be helping to keep the virus going in the US Northeast. Reuters
- A Chicago couple decided not to let the H1N1 flu get in the way of their wedding after both testing positive less than 48 hours prior to their wedding. Although the bride’s hairstylist refused to work, and they had to wear surgical masks and gloves, they were able to take their vows in front of family and friends. Chicago Tribune
Vaccine News
- AVI Biopharma, based in Portland, Ore., recently announced that it has received a contract of up to $5.1 million from the US Department of Defense to develop one or more RNA-based drugs to treat novel H1N1 flu. In addition to identifying potential drug targets, as well as lead and backup drug candidates, the contract supports the production of testing material for animal studies. The company said its RNA-based drugs use proprietary technology that targets messenger and pre-messenger RNA. AVI Biopharma press release
Today’s Key Question
Why has the U.S. issued a travel alert about China’s anti-flu measures?
The US State Department recently issued a travel alert regarding China’s anti-flu measures. China is imposing a seven-day quarantine on passengers arriving with a fever or flu-like symptoms in order to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu. The State Department asserted that although the proportion of travelers arriving in China and being quarantined remains low, the relatively arbitrary nature of the selection process adds to the uncertainty of travel to China.
“The selection process focuses on those sitting in close proximity to another traveler exhibiting fever or flu-like symptoms or on those displaying an elevated temperature if arriving from an area where outbreaks of 2009-H1N1 have occurred. We have reports of passengers arriving from areas where outbreaks have occurred (including the U.S. and Mexico) being placed in precautionary quarantine simply because they registered slightly elevated temperatures," said the State Department.
There have been instances in which parents and children have been separated if a parent or child tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus. This introduces the possibility of Chinese authorities administering medications to minors without first consulting the parents.
Furthermore, the State Department claims to have received reports of unsuitable quarantine conditions, such as a lack of access to suitable drinking water and suitable food, unsanitary conditions, and the inability to communicate beyond the quarantine.
The State Department stressed that all travelers to China are obliged to follow local public health-related measures, and given that there is no compensation for lost travel expenses, has also advised travelers to China to consider buying travel insurance to protect against losses in case they are quarantined. State Department
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