Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths
*Cases reported by The World Health Organization (WHO) are as of January 24, 2010
National News
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is investigating 17 cases of patients falling seriously ill after receiving vaccinations for H1N1 influenza. Four of the cases involve Guillian‑Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder resulting in weakness or paralysis. Of the GBS cases, two occurred in Markham, Ontario. Health Canada has pulled from circulation one lot of the vaccine suspected of causing more allergic reactions than other batches. Toronto Sun
International News
The International Society for Infectious Diseases is holding its 14th International Congress on Infectious Diseases in March. At the convention, over 120 speakers from approximately 100 different countries will give talks on subjects ranging from HIV and influenza, to antibiotics and epidemiology. The five-day event will be held in Miami, Florida. ISID
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) program to deliver developed nations’ surplus H1N1 vaccine supplies to poorer countries has been overwhelmed. “Holy moly, it’s a very complex operation,” said the WHO’s pandemic influenza chief in describing the myriad logistical issues in distributing and administering the vaccine. Microsoft entrepreneur Bill Gates, whose charitable foundation focuses on combating infectious diseases in developing nations, was dismissive of the program. “It’s not practical; they have no infrastructure to deliver it [the vaccine shipments].” Infection rates of H1N1 have waned recently in North America and Western Europe, but North Africa, Central Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe still show infection rates on the rise. New York Times
Vaccine News
British medical journal The Lancet has published a retraction of a flawed 1998 research paper that supposed a causal link between childhood vaccinations and autism. A spokesman for the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the retraction “builds on the overwhelming body of research by the world’s leading scientists that concludes there is no link between MMR vaccine and autism.” A British disciplinary panel concluded the paper’s lead researcher acted dishonestly and violated basic research ethics. After the study was published, vaccination rates in Britain plummeted and the number of the measles cases soared; however, the rate of occurrence for autism cases has remained unchanged. New York Times
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