Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths
*Cases reported by The World Health Organization (WHO) are as of January 24, 2010
National News
The federal government has announced that Canada will donate 5 million doses of its excess H1N1 vaccine to the World Health Organization. The federal Public Health Agency was criticized for lagging behind other developed nations like the United States, Brazil, Norway, Britain, and Australia who pledged to donate vaccine supplies in September. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and Dr. David Butler-Jones, the nation's chief public health officer, say they wanted to be sure Canada’s needs were met before committing to give vaccine away. CanWest News Service
International News
Nigerian authorities recorded their country’s first H1N1-related death in January. Nigerian Minister of Health Babatunde Osotimehin said a 38-year-old woman who had tested positive for H1N1 died on January 5. He said there was another suspected pandemic influenza fatality, but that patient had died before samples could be taken. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has 11 confirmed cases of H1N1 infection. CTV News
Egypt’s health ministry has confirmed its first four cases of H5N1 avian influenza in 2010. The cases are not epidemiologically related, though each one involved contact with infected poultry. All four patients are in stable condition and recovering. Global health experts are concerned that more education efforts are required in Egypt. Many farmers believe there is little risk in poultry-handling activities such as slaughtering birds. The country recorded 39 cases on H5N1 in 2009 up from 8 in 2008. CIDRAP
Vaccine News
Vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur has found antigen levels in six lots of its H1N1 vaccine were below their specified limits and issued a voluntary recall of the batches. The American Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration each reviewed the recall, which includes five lots of pediatric pre-filled syringes and one lot of adult pre-filled syringes. They agreed that the drop in potency is unlikely to result in a significant reduction in immune response to the virus among those who have received doses from the recalled groups. CDC
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