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 January 3rd, 2010
National News
The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported that the last two weeks of 2009, influenza activity in Canada remained low with most of the influenza surveillance regions reporting either sporadic or no activity. Only 1.6% of the specimens tested were positive for influenza during the two-week period while the influenza-like illness consultation rate was below or within the expected range for these weeks. The H1N1 strain still accounts for nearly 100% of the positive influenza A sub-typed specimens. Seventy-six hospitalized cases, 22 ICU admissions and 16 deaths were reported for the two week period. PHAC
International News
In its weekly global surveillance update, the WHO said countries in central, eastern, and south eastern Europe, such as Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, and Georgia, are reporting intense virus circulation. Increased activity in North Africa is particularly evident in Egypt. Pandemic flu activity is still widespread with rates of respiratory diseases increasing in parts of South Asia, including northern India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Though the pandemic H1N1 strain is still dominant, small numbers of seasonal H3N2 viruses are circulating in northern China. WHO
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that only one state, Alabama, still had widespread pandemic H1N1 influenza activity last week, down from four the week before, and most other flu indicators were down as well. Pandemic activity in the United States has declined steadily since it peaked with widespread cases in 48 states in late October. Seasonal flu viruses have not yet emerged in any numbers to replace the pandemic strain. CDC Flu View
In a new study of how the H1N1 flu virus spreads through commercial air travel, researchers have found that not only can the number of in-flight infections be predicted based on just one passenger carrying the virus, but also that people travelling in economy class are much more likely to become infected than people flying first class. The study, published in the current online edition of the journal BMC Medicine, used mathematical modelling techniques that enabled the researchers to predict in-flight transmission rates. The Globe and Mail
European flu experts have warned that the declining wave of pandemic H1N1 flu is likely to be followed by new, unknown strains of seasonal flu which health authorities must watch carefully to devise protection measures. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned that flu viruses “never stand still” and said governments should not relax H1N1 flu vaccination programs, but remain on guard for possible changes in the virus and new strains. In the current pandemic, new infections of H1N1 flu have fallen sharply in recent weeks and some governments have been left with an oversupply of vaccines ordered to protect their populations against the virus that emerged last March. Reuters
According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), flu activity at colleges continues to decline, mirroring the national pattern in the United States. ACHA said new cases were down 21% from the week before with only one new death reported. The attack rate was 2.7 cases per 10,000 students. The percentage of students who have been vaccinated rose slightly to 8%, with some states reaching 20% with vaccine availability improving. ACHA
Vaccine News
Mongolia has become the first developing country to receive donated doses of H1N1 vaccine from the World Health Organization (WHO). The first 35 countries on the list to receive vaccine should all get supplies within the next month, WHO spokeswoman Nyka Alexander told the Voice of America. Azerbaijan and Afghanistan are expected to receive doses within days. The WHO has received pledges for 190 million doses from 14 countries. VOA
The BBC News has reported that the British government is looking at ways to “offload” millions of doses of H1N1 vaccine because a third wave of cases is deemed unlikely. Options include selling the surplus doses or giving them to poor countries, but a stockpile will be kept. The government bought 60 million doses from GlaxoSmithKline and 30 million from Baxter. So far, 23.9 million doses of GSK vaccine and 5 million doses of Baxter vaccine have been delivered. BBC News
China's Ministry of Health has said that the government will fund free H1N1 flu vaccinations for all children in the country who are less than 3 years old. The central government made the move in anticipation of Lunar New Year celebrations, when millions of people travel to visit relatives. China has vaccinated 51.4 million residents so far. Agence France-Presse
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