Global's Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Update - August 11, 2009

GMS Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Update as of August 11th, 2009

(0830 HRS PST)

The next update will be on Thursday August 13th, at 08:30 PST.

The WHO Pandemic Alert level remains at Phase 6

Local/National News

• Late last week the Public Health Agency of Canada reported that 64 deaths have occurred in Canada that were related to the H1N1 Pandemic. PHAC


• The Government of Canada will soon place an order for 50.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccine. The government anticipates that there will be enough vaccines to cover those who may want the shot (75% of the population) even if two shots per person are required. PHAC


• Health officials in Canada are urging citizens to find "flu buddies" to help care for them during the pandemic H1N1 pandemic. The Public Health Agency of Canada is urging people to check in on people who live alone or are vulnerable and help care for them or seek medical care if they are sick. It is hoped that the measure may help take some pressure off the health system and is among the general preparedness tactics that the agency will promote in the fall. Canwest News Service

International News

• The number of pandemic H1N1 flu deaths in Argentina has risen to 337, according to the health ministry's latest report, suggesting that Argentina could soon pass United States as the country with the most fatalities. The number was more than double the deaths reported in the ministry's last report 2 weeks ago. Though Argentina has more fatalities than any South American country, officials believe novel flu cases have peaked. Guardian


• To slow the spread of the pandemic H1N1 virus, Iran's health ministry has banned the country's citizens from attending the annual Hajj pilgrimage in December in Saudi Arabia. The health minister said through state media that the event draws 3 million pilgrims from all over the world, presenting a heightened risk of flu transmission. Iran has confirmed 145 cases so far, but no fatalities. AP


• The US CDC reported that it assessed several rapid influenza diagnostic tests and found they had low sensitivity, ranging from 40% to 69%. Sensitivity declined substantially when the clinical samples had lower levels of virus, the agency said in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Thus a positive result can guide treatment, but a negative result does not exclude a novel H1N1 infection. The agency evaluated the tests using 65 samples known to contain novel H1N1 or seasonal viruses. MMWR

Vaccine News

• Britain's National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) has produced a seed strain of pandemic H1N1 virus that grows much better than strains currently used. John Wood of the NIBSC said the strain grows about as well as typical seasonal flu seed strains, but the results must be confirmed by manufacturers. Vaccine makers welcomed the news as yields from the seed strains now in use have been 50% below those with seasonal flu vaccines or worse. Canadian Press


• WellPoint, the United States’ largest health insurance company in terms of membership, says it will cover administration of the pandemic H1N1 vaccine as it becomes publicly available. WellPoint operates as Anthem Blue Cross in Virginia and as Empire Blue Cross in New York. Members whose plans already provide coverage for vaccines will qualify for the added coverage. IFAwebnews


• While acknowledging that clinical data will be limited when the first doses are administered, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the fast-tracking of vaccines for pandemic H1N1 influenza won't compromise safety. "The public needs to be reassured that regulatory procedures in place for the licensing of pandemic vaccines, including procedures for expediting regulatory approval, are rigorous and do not compromise safety or quality controls," the agency said in a statement. CIDRAP

Antiviral News

• An analysis of studies of the effects of oseltamivir and zanamivir for seasonal flu treatment and prophylaxis in children aged 12 and younger showed a small benefit, according to a study in the British Medical Journal. The authors, who looked at seven studies, found that the drugs provided a small benefit by shortening illness duration and reducing household transmission, but they had little effect on asthma or antibiotic use. Vomiting was reported in children who took oseltamivir. BMJ


• The Australian drug company Biota recently reported positive phase 3 study results from Asian countries of its new antiviral medication laninamivir, a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor. In adults, a single inhaled dose of the new drug was as effective as oseltamivir taken twice a day for 5 days. Similar trials in children showed the drug was safe and effective. Preclinical studies suggested that the new antiviral is effective against seasonal H5N1 and pandemic H1N1 viruses. Biota

Guidance and Recommendations

• The US CDC has released Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza. This document provides guidance to help decrease the spread of flu among students and school staff during the 2009-2010 school year.The main recommendation from the CDC is that in most cases schools should not close down during pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreaks.


• The US CDC has released Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12). The purpose of “Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools” is to provide basic information and communication resources to help school administrators implement recommendations from CDC


• In a revision of its advice for how long those who are sick with the pandemic H1N1 virus should stay away from others, the US CDC shortened the time period, which may reduce some of the pandemic's absence burden on businesses and schools. CDC recommendations on duration of self-isolation