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 November 15th, 2009
National News
Four more Albertans with H1N1 influenza have died, bringing the total number of deaths related to swine flu to 51 in this province. Alberta Health Services said the victims, who were all from the Edmonton area and all had underlying medical conditions. The most recent deaths come as the Alberta Liberals continue to criticize the government for its handling of the H1N1 vaccination program and the high rates of hospitalization and death in the province. Alberta's death rate from H1N1 flu is 11.39 per million people--nearly double the national average of 6.49 per million. Calgary Herald
According to provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, between 335,000 and 670,000 B.C. residents have been infected with H1N1 flu in the past few months. While there have been only 6,700 lab-confirmed cases, public health experts believe there are 65 to 135 actual cases for every lab-confirmed case. The falling numbers of deaths, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and doctor visits, as well as lower numbers of H1N1 tests and antiviral medications dispensed, suggests the pandemic may have peaked. Vancouver Sun
International News
Dr. Debra Parsons, an American physician who claimed to have contracted the H1N1 virus twice now has her self-diagnosis confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Parsons first came down with the virus in August and then again in October. She was tested both times, and the results were the same – they were positive for influenza A. John Law, spokesman for the West Virginia Division of Health and Human Resources, said the possibility of getting the flu twice was "very, very, very rare." Charleston Daily Mail
The number of confirmed deaths reported by EU and EFTA countries due to the pandemic rose by two thirds in the last week to 169. Routine surveillance reports from primary care indicate that almost all European countries reported intensity above baseline levels. Seventeen countries showed increasing trends. The European Committee on Human Medical Products has strengthened its previous statement that a single injection of the vaccines Focetria and Pandemrix may be sufficient to protect children over age 10 and adults to age sixty. ECDC
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the Avian Influenza or A-H5N1 remains a threat to humans, with newly confirmed cases reported in Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. In a statement, WHO said the presence of the A-H5N1 in poultries in these countries poses a health risk in two ways. First, those in direct contact with birds are in danger of contracting the virus. Second, the virus can undergo re-assortment with another influenza virus, producing a new strain. Philippine Star
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a $US491 million loan for influenza virus prevention and control in Mexico. Some of the goals of this project include: improved performance of SINAVE, the national epidemiological surveillance system; vaccination of more than 10 million Mexicans against influenza A/H1N1; 2.15 million antiviral treatments stockpiled in the country’s strategic reserves; and establishing the central epidemiological analysis unit and state epidemiological offices. World Bank
Vaccine News
According to Canadian Health Minister, Leona Aglukkaq, by the end of this week, more than 15 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine will have been distributed to provinces and territories, enough to immunize half the population. So far, one-quarter of Canadians, more than eight million people, have received the H1N1 vaccine. At least three million more doses will be available next week. In most parts of the country, H1N1 shots are available to all, and lineups have dwindled. CBC
Dr. David Butler Jones, head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, has confirmed 24 cases of a type of severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis in Canadians who have received an H1N1 flu shot, including one person who died after getting vaccinated. It is still not clear whether the vaccine or health problems caused the death. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause a person's airways to close up and must be treated quickly with adrenaline. Canadian Press
Quebec will become the latest province to start vaccinating the general population for the H1N1 flu. Health Minister Yves Bolduc says Quebec will begin inoculating the general public by November 25th in several regions of the province after receiving a large shipment of the vaccine. Bolduc says health workers in the rest of the province are expected to get the green light next week to begin vaccinating the general public. Canadian Press
Mass immunization clinics for the H1N1 vaccine in Manitoba are slated to wrap up in two weeks and health officials are urging people to get the shot while they can. Dr. Sande Harlos, the medical officer of health for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, said the amount of people who have been immunized represents about 27 per cent of the city's population. She would like to see the number closer to 40 or 50 per cent by the time the campaign is over. In total across the province, about 300,000 people have been vaccinated. CBC
Mexico's health ministry announced that it had received its first 865,000 doses of pandemic H1N1 vaccine. The country's health secretary, Jose Angel Cordova, said officials will review the vaccine and administer the first doses this week to pregnant women and health workers. He said Mexico expects 7 million doses by the end of 2009 and 30 million doses by February 2010 from Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline. Latin America Herald Tribune
Weekly Feature
Find updated guidelines on the H1N1 pandemic vaccine, including recommended recipients, dosages, and routes of administration, from the Public Health Agency of Canada
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