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 10, 2010
National News
As the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver draw near, regional health and security authorities have reviewed their pandemic plans and say they plan for the worst, but believe they are well prepared for the 16-day event. As a result, hospitals and clinics have geared up to accommodate over a quarter of a million patients, and stockpiled vaccine and millions of doses of the antiviral medication Tamiflu. Spokeswoman for the health authority, Anna Marie D'Angelo says they have history on their side: “Let's remember: There was a flu pandemic during the 1968 Olympics and it had no effect whatsoever on the games.” CNN
Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq has announced funding for a national influenza research network focused on pandemic vaccine evaluation. The network was created through a partnership between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The network will coordinate nation-wide public health research in test methodologies for accelerated clinical trials for medications, and the safety and effectiveness of new vaccines. Canadian Institutes of Health Research
International News
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated report on the international H1N1 situation. Based on studies by the World Health Organization (WHO), the CDC has concluded a substantial under-estimation of total cases in the world as most countries base their pandemic surveillance laboratory tests of people with severe illness. Other findings include a general decline in H1N1 transmission and proliferation with exceptions in North Africa, Nepal, and India. CDC
The British Medical Journal has released a report on influenza in the UK. The study, which is consistent with findings in the US, shows a greater number of infections with children, but a higher H1N1-related mortality rate among the elderly. British Medical Journal
Vaccine News
With over 60% of its population vaccinated, demand is still high for the H1N1 vaccine in Prince Edward Island with an average of 450 people per day booking appointments to get their shots. Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr. Lamont Sweet speculated that this may be due to people planning vacations saying, “Many of them are going to the Caribbean, Mexico, southern areas, and flu circulates year-round in the tropical areas.” CBC News
A vaccine additive made by Novartis, and used in its European influenza shots, may boost the body's immune response to a broader range of viruses, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday. Laboratory tests suggested the adjuvant called MF59 helped the immune system counteract not only the H5N1 virus in an experimental bird flu vaccine, but mutant viruses as well. Adjuvants, often as simple as an oil and water mixture, broaden the body's response to a vaccine, reducing the amount of active ingredient called antigen needed. Reuters
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