Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths*
*Cases reported by The World Health Organization (WHO) are as of February 14, 2010
International News
Seasonal Influenza Conspicuous in its Absence
As H1N1 recedes from the public, the regular flu season presents a mystery. Doctors and researchers all over North America are wondering why the seasonal influenza has been largely absent from this year’s influenza season. Microbiologist Donald Low at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto assumed, as pandemic H1N1 cases decline, other seasonal strains would reassert themselves, saying, “In the past, you have peaks, hills, valleys. This is like the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and it’s been going like this for weeks.” Scientists are considering the possibility that pandemic H1N1 has replaced the seasonal influenza viruses. The Globe and Mail
Vaccine News
WHO chooses the Northern Hemisphere’s next likely seasonal flu strains
On February 18, The World Health Organization (WHO) determined its vaccine recommendations for the coming 2010-2011 influenza season and included protection against pandemic H1N1 in that mix. The seasonal flu vaccine will, as usual, target three strains of influenza virus:
- An A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus (this strain is genetically and anti-genetically similar to pandemic H1N1)
- An A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus (A/Wisconsin/15/2009 is an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus and is a 2010 southern hemisphere vaccine virus)
- A B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
For the vaccine, the WHO examined pandemic A/H1N1, seasonal A and B viruses, and animal viruses with pandemic potential (e.g., the avian A/H5N1 and A/H9N2 strains). World Health Organization
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