Global's H1N1 Update - 9/22/09, 0830 HRS PST

The next update will be on Thursday, September 24th, at 08:30 PST.

The WHO Pandemic Alert level remains at Phase 6

Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths

*Cases reported by The World Health Organization (WHO) are as of 13^th September, 2009

Local/National News

The Conservative government is spending more than five times as many taxpayer dollars on promoting its economic plan as it is on raising public awareness about the flu pandemic. The Public Health Agency of Canada says it has a total marketing budget of $6.5 million to inform Canadians about the H1N1 virus and how to avoid infection. In comparison, $34-million has been earmarked for a media campaign promoting the Conservative's recession-fighting budget. CTV

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, with Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, recently signed a communications protocol , promising to work closely with aboriginal leaders to control the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. The protocol is aimed at improving communications between government officials and First Nations communities, particularly those in remote and rural areas. CBC

The federal government won't say if Canadians who suffer harmful side effects from the new swine flu shot will be able to take the vaccine maker to court. The Public Health Agency of Canada will not reveal whether drug companies are shielded from H1N1 flu vaccine lawsuits in this country like they are in the United States. American Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has granted legal immunity to "individuals and entities involved in all stages of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine development, testing, manufacture, distribution, prescribing, administration, and use.” CBC

International News

The United States is reporting increases in influenza-like-illness activity above the seasonal baseline, most notably in the southern, southeastern, and parts of the northeastern United States. In Europe and Central Asia, influenza activity remains low overall, except in France, which is reporting increases in influenza-like-illness activity above the seasonal epidemic threshold. In the tropical regions of the Americas and Asia, influenza transmission remains active. Geographically regional to widespread influenza activity continues to be reported throughout much of South and Southeast Asia, with increasing trends in respiratory diseases being reported in India and Bangladesh. WHO

A revolutionary new air filter could help reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus and other illnesses among passengers on board commercial airline flights. The aerospace giant BAE Systems has joined forces with Quest International, to develop a machine that destroys up to 99.9 per cent of infectious viruses and bacteria, as well as pollutants, that can circulate in the confines of an aircraft, especially on long-haul flights. The device, called AirManager, uses a controlled electric field to filter out and destroy any airborne particles or germs as they pass through an aircraft’s air conditioning system, emitting only clean, sterilized air. Fox News

Vaccine News

Nine countries have agreed to share extra swine flu vaccine with less-developed countries just as vaccine companies prepared to deliver supplies. The United States pledged 10 percent of its vaccine supply, joining Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and Britain. Two vaccine manufacturers, Sanofi Aventis and GlaxoSmithKline, have also said they would donate 150 million doses of pandemic vaccine to the WHO. Washington Post

Australia's drug regulator has announced that it has approved CSL Ltd.'s H1N1 vaccine for people over the age of 10. Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon said health authorities will recommend that immunizations start September 30, which would make it one of the first countries to start offering the shots to its population. Those most at risk, including front-line health workers, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses, and Aboriginals in remote outback communities will be first in line. Fox News

The first batch of H1N1 flu vaccinations in the United States will come in the form of a nasal spray. 3.4 million doses of nasal spray called Flu Mist will be distributed in the first week of October, Dr. Jay Butler, chief of the CDC' s H1N1 flu vaccine task force, said Flu Mist is not recommended for those groups at a high risk of developing complications from the A/H1N1 virus. This group includes pregnant women, children younger than 2, and people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases. The nasal spray vaccine is only for healthy people aged 2 to 49. Xinhua Net

Week’s Feature

H1N1 do's and don'ts: Keeping safe from the virus