Polk {county, FL} records fifth swine flu death
Published: October 28, 2009
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/oc.../news-breaking/


BARTOW - A 59-year-old man has died from swine flu, the Polk County Health Department said.

The man, who had an underlying medical condition, is the fifth swine flu related death in Polk County. As of Tuesday, there have been 141 deaths attributed to swine flu in the state.

The man's death doesn't appear to be connected with previous swine flu deaths in Polk County. The man didn't live in the same area of the county as the other people who have died from swine flu, according to the health department

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

I recall John Berry citing stories about people getting on a trolley and dying before they got off. (1918)
People are going straight to ICU and being placed on ventilators. Were it not for our technological/clinical interventions of the 21st century, these people would be dead the first day. (2009)

Feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stiffen.

__________________
There Are 10 Kinds Of People In The World. Those That Understand Binary, And Those That Don't  

Does anyone recall how many hospitizations there have been from H1N1? Without vents and tamiflu, I wonder what % of those would have died.

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Roscoe and Miss Priss 

I posted some journal links of case experiences from Canada, Mexico and New Zealand/Australia. The interesting thing isn't the CFR, but the profound morbidity/pathology that requires the unconventional (turbocharged) ventilators/ECMO.

I am in contact with RTs all over the country and the story is the same everywhere. Significant and fast moving disease that takes a lot of ventilator 'hutzpah". ECMO enters are far and few between. Only one in a thousand, (that's a guess) mechanical ventilators is an "Oscillator/High Frequency".

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

__________________
There Are 10 Kinds Of People In The World. Those That Understand Binary, And Those That Don't  

We've had 2 deaths in hte last 3 days around Wilmington NC from H1N1.
Last week was a pregnant woman (the baby survived)
Had another death yesterday from H1N1.

It's getting worrisome

Best Regards
Vog

H1N1 claims first Vt. victim 800 doses of vaccine thrown away after refrigerator malfunction
NEAL P. GOSWAMI
Posted: 10/28/2009 11:01:42 PM EDT


BENNINGTON -- Swine flu has caused its first death in Vermont, according to state health officials, who also reported Wednesday the loss of 800 doses of flu vaccine.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Patsy Kelso told reporters that an adult with serious underlying health conditions has died from the H1N1 flu virus. Officials do not plan to release additional details about that victim or future victims.

‘Sad marker’

"This is a very sad marker in our experience with the H1N1 influenza," she said.

However, Kelso said officials have expected that the virus would cause death in Vermont. "It is something we knew we would experience at some point in time. We anticipate we will experience more," Kelso said. "It is not at all unexpected, and it should not make people worry more."

According to Kelso, 800 doses of the H1N1 vaccine were lost over the weekend when a refrigerator malfunctioned and became too cold for vaccine storage.

"This loss was extremely concerning to all of us at the Health Department, but unfortunately, is a known risk in the vaccine world," she said. "It’s one of these situations where we don’t take any chances."

The malfunction took place at one of the Health Department’s 12 regional offices, but the office was not identified. Those offices are now moving vaccine to where they can be monitored at all hours.

Several school clinics have been delayed because of a shortage of vaccine. Kelso said the loss of 800 doses has impacted when some school children will receive the vaccination. "It certainly could be two or three good sized school clinics that could be impacted," she said.
Some school clinics have been postponed because the state does not have enough of the vaccine. Health Commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis said health officials are working closely with schools to reschedule clinics as soon as possible.

"We know how hard it is to wait for vaccines, and we continue to do our very best to get it out as soon as possible," she said.

Vaccine will continue to be allocated when available based on population, according to Davis.

Health officials have seen a "dramatic increase" in flu illness across the state, Kelso said. The state’s health laboratory has confirmed cases in all regions, and the state Health Department is reporting widespread illness to the Centers for Disease Control, she said.

A syndromic surveillance program run by the Health Department called the Early Aberration Reporting System indicates that hospital visits are up significantly for respiratory illness. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is on of seven hospitals that report data to the state.

School children and college students are missing school in large numbers, Kelso said. Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, which closed last Thursday and Friday because of widespread illness, remains the only school to take that step, she said. That decision will remain with school officials.

The virus continues to cause only mild illness in most people. Kelso said most who become ill with the H1N1 virus will likely be sick for a few days or a week, but will not need to see their health care provider or go to the hospital.

According to statistics provided by The New York State Department of Health for all of New York outside of New York City, one adult death associated with H1N1 occurred last week. There have been 5 adult deaths associated with this flu since Sept. 1, and 26 since April 24. For the entire state of New York, since April 24 there have been 10 deaths associated with H1N1 in those aged birth to 17, but all of these occurred before Sept. 1.

http://www.benningtonbanner.com/ci_13664529

__________________
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.
It means you decide to see beyond the imperfections.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Live each day as if there is World enough and Time~
Arubi 

Governor declares swine flu emergency in NY
October 29, 2009 Associated Press
New York Gov. David Paterson


New York Gov. David Paterson has declared a state of emergency because of the rise in swine flu cases.

The executive order means that far more health care professionals — including dentists — will be permitted to administer vaccines with only brief training. The order is needed to suspend provisions of state law.

State officials say the number of vaccine doses is also being increased. The federal government is ramping up availability of the vaccine, allowing the state to order twice as many doses as a week ago, a trend that’s expected to continue.

The executive order obtained by The Associated Press says at least 75 deaths in the state have been attributed to the swine flu.

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

Palm Beach County Girl, 3, Dies Of Swine Flu
Girl Is Eighth Swine Flu Death In County
http://www.wpbf.com/health/21465047/detail.html


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A 3-year-old Palm Beach County girl has died of swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus.

The Palm Beach County Health Department said Thursday the girl is the eighth resident to die of the virus.

"We are deeply saddened to report the death of such a young person," Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso said. "Our sympathies go out to the family of this child. I am also asking all to remain alert to the signs and symptoms of this flu and seek medical attention if the fever, coughs and sneezes worsen."

Authorities said the girl had underlying health issues that made her more susceptible to complications from the swine flu.

Health officials said 78 people in the county have been hospitalized with the flu, and 32 of those patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. {now that's a scary percentage!}

One family in Palm Beach County is counting their blessings as their daughter is back home after a 3-month battle with the H1N1 virus.

Cameron Pirozzi, 9, left the hospital two weeks ago just in time for her birthday. Her parents said they are thankful everyday.

"Every day is a blessing," said the girl's mother, Kelly Pirozzi.

The girl suffered a secondary infection and got bacterial pneumonia that shut her lungs down, Cameron's father, Tony Pirozzi said.

The family said Cameron's positive attitude and bravery helped the family get through the ordeal. Although she had to re-learn how to walk and talk, the young survivor said she had a full-proof game plan.

"Don't think negative about it," Cameron Pirozzi said. "Always look on the positive side of things."

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

More swine flu deaths {Kansas} reported
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1538857.html


Three more Kansans infected with the swine flu virus have died, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Thursday.

They were a 39-year-old man from Wyandotte County, a 51-year-old woman from the Topeka area and a 52-year-old woman from the Wichita area.

None of the three had underlying health conditions that made them more susceptible to the H1N1 virus, health officials said. The deaths bring to 12 the total in the state.

Meanwhile, the mother of a Wichita area girl who died Sunday while attending the FFA national convention in Indianapolis said her daughter had contracted swine flu. Shelly Merklein of Kiowa said her 14-year-old daughter, Lauren, had a heart condition.

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/co...oct3009cdc.html

Spreading H1N1 virus claims 19 more US children
Robert Roos News Editor


Oct 30, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The H1N1 influenza virus is now widespread in all but two states and has claimed the lives of 114 children, 19 more than the toll a week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in an update today.

"Essentially what we see is more virus, more vaccine, and more deaths," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said at a press briefing.

An online CDC update says 22 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week, of which 19 were due to confirmed H1N1 infection and 3 were due to influenza A strains that were not subtyped. Since April, 114 pediatric deaths have been confirmed as H1N1-related and another 12 were from non-subtyped influenza A.

More than two thirds of the 114 children who died had underlying health conditions that increased their risk, said Frieden.

He said the national trend in H1N1 cases continues upward, though there have been decreases in a few areas, particularly in the Southeast. The only two states not included on the CDC's online list of those with widespread flu are Hawaii and South Carolina.

Recent CDC survey data indicate that many people at risk for severe H1N1 cases have not sought treatment when sick, Frieden reported.

"One thing we're surprised to see is that even among people who have an underlying condition, only half sought care for flu-like illness," he said. Those with health conditions that put them at risk should seek treatment promptly, he added. The CDC has been stressing the importance of early antiviral treatment for such patients.

To relieve spot shortages, the CDC is releasing the remaining 234,000 treatment courses of liquid oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for children in the Strategic National Stockpile, Frieden reported. The agency had released 300,000 courses on Oct 1.

Some of the supply was held in reserve awaiting a clearer picture of the needs around the country, he said, adding, "It's now clear that it's best to release all we have and get more from the manufacturers as soon as they can provide it."

Delivery of more liquid oseltamivir is expected from the manufacturers early in 2010, he said. In the meantime, pharmacists can make a liquid formulation by using adult capsules and a syrup, he noted.

On the H1N1 vaccine supply, Frieden said the cumulative total of doses available (including doses already distributed) has reached 26.6 million, which is 10.5 million more than a week ago. CDC officials recently predicted that the supply would reach about 28 million doses by the end of October.

As for vaccine uptake, some "very preliminary and partial information" is that about half of the doses are going to children and half to adults, Frieden reported. Only about 1% to 2%, he said, is going to people aged 65 and older, who are not a priority group because they seem less susceptible to the virus than younger people.

He said the CDC is just beginning to get information about the results of school-based vaccination programs. Because of logistical challenges and the need for parental consent forms, "We are encouraged if we see half or more of the kids get vaccinated in school; we don't expect to see anything like 80% to 90%."

In other comments, he said 89 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine have been distributed, out of about 115 million doses expected this season. The vast majority of doses have been administered, and the vaccine remains in short supply, he said. The CDC has not seen any seasonal flu strains circulating so far.

See also:

CDC H1N1 update
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

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Roscoe and Miss Priss 

Kenosha County {WI} reports 1st swine-flu-related death
The Associated Press
Updated: 10/31/2009 08:34:22 PM CDT
http://www.twincities.com/wisconsin...?nclick_check=1


KENOSHA, Wis.—The Kenosha County health department says the death of a local adult is related to the swine-flu virus.

The department didn't reveal any information about the person Friday due to privacy concerns.

County nursing director Cynthia Johnson says the person had underlying medical conditions. She says tests are under way to confirm that the death was related to the virus.

If it is, it would be Kenosha County's first such death.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services spokesman Seth Boffeli says as of Wednesday, the state had 14 swine-flu-related deaths since the spring.

The official count won't be updated until Wednesday. But Boffeli says it could include the Kenosha County death, as well as two other deaths in La Crosse and Rock counties, pending further tests.

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

November 3, 2009
New Advice on Swine Flu for Pregnant Women

By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.
One dose of swine flu vaccine protects pregnant women against the flu, but children under 10 still need two doses, federal officials said Monday, announcing further results of clinical trials of the vaccine.

The officials also announced the formation of a panel of experts from outside the government to watch for any rare or unexpected side effects as millions of Americans get vaccinated.

As of Monday, 30 million doses of vaccine were available; that is in line with what federal officials predicted two weeks ago, although in late summer they predicted 40 million and in midsummer one federal official optimistically predicted 120 million by this time.

The vaccine was rushed out to the public before all clinical trials could be finished because the virus had a second wave starting in late August. But the trial results, though limited, could further reassure the many pregnant women who have already been vaccinated or who have been nervous about getting the shots.

The 50 healthy pregnant women in the trial did not experience any unusual rates of side effects and one 15-microgram dose gave a protective level of antibodies, said Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is overseeing the trials.

Children from 6 months to 9 years old should still get two doses, about a month apart, Dr. Fauci said. But the first dose usually provides partial protection, meaning a child might still catch the flu but would be more likely to have a mild case.

The World Health Organization last week recommended one dose of vaccine for all children, but the United States is ignoring that advice. The organization’s primary goal is to make sure that the world’s vaccine supplies stretch as far as possible among the world’s children. It endorses vaccine-stretching adjuvants and favors one dose per child so more children can get one.

Federal health officials, by contrast, are trying to make sure that American children are fully protected first. They have also decided not to use adjuvants, even though they think they are safe, because anti-vaccine lobbyists have campaigned against them, calling them dangerous, and officials feared that some Americans would be scared away from being vaccinated.

Fourteen countries are now using swine flu vaccines and all appear to be safe, said Marie-Paule Kieny, director of vaccine research for the W.H.O. Most European countries and Canada use vaccines with adjuvants, which are usually mixtures of water and oil that, for unknown reasons, increase the immune response and make smaller doses of vaccine work better.

The W.H.O.’s expert panel also concluded that live nasal-spray vaccines are safe for pregnant women, while federal health officials have taken a more conservative position, suggesting that pregnant women stick to the shots, which contain a killed virus.

A new advisory group that will monitor the national vaccination drive for any unexpected side effects met Monday for the first time, said Dr. Bruce Gellin, director of the National Vaccine Program Office.

“They are becoming familiar with the data streams that are available,” and getting briefings about the clinical trials, Dr. Gellin said.

There has long been a database on which doctors are encouraged to report any bad reactions to vaccine among their patients, but there will also be reports from health insurers, local health departments, school districts and the like, as well as news reports.

Eventually, Dr. Gellin said, the panel will meet every two weeks and report monthly, but members can meet by teleconference on short notice if necessary.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03flu.html

__________________
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.
It means you decide to see beyond the imperfections.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Live each day as if there is World enough and Time~
Arubi 

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=262249

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Iowa cat tests positive for H1N1
Likely acquired illness from owners

A 13-year-old Iowa cat has tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
The cat's diagnosis was confirmed at the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
The pet likely acquired the virus from its owners.
"Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill," said Dr. An Garvey, public health veterinarian for the Iowa Department of Public Health. "This is not completely unexpected, as other strains of influenza have been found in cats in the past."
Both the cat and its owners have recovered from their illnesses.
State officials advise people to keep their pets healthy by washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and minimizing contact with their pets while ill with influenza-like symptoms. If your pet exhibits signs of a respiratory illness, contact your veterinarian.
"Indoor pets that live in close proximity to someone who has been sick are at risk and it is wise to monitor their health to ensure they aren't showing signs of illness," said Dr. David Schmitt, State Veterinarian for Iowa.

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Roscoe and Miss Priss 

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/co...9flustatus.html

Pandemic flu keeps strong grip on US
Lisa Schnirring Staff Writer


Nov 6, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – Pandemic flu activity continues its vigorous spread across the United States, with 48 states experiencing widespread activity and reports of 18 more deaths in children, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today.

Though the number of doctor's visits from flulike illnesses decreased slightly from the previous week from 8% of patient visits to 7,7%, it's difficult to tell if the activity is peaking, said Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, at a media briefing today. She noted that activity waxes and wanes in different areas from week to week.

The CDC weekly flu surveillance report released today, which covers the week ending Oct 31, revealed:

Lab-confirmed flu hospitalizations continued to climb.
Pneumonia and influenza mortality rates increased for the fifth week in a row.
More than 99% of subtyped flu viruses reported to the CDC were the pandemic H1N1 virus.
Two seasonal H3N2 viruses that the CDC has received since Sep 1 were related to the Perth strain that is not included in the Northern Hemisphere's seasonal flu vaccine, but is a component of the Southern Hemisphere's vaccine, and the CDC has said it is too early to predict if circulating seasonal strains will be a good match with the seasonal vaccine.
So far manufacturers have made 38 million doses of pandemic H1N1 vaccine available to states, which is up 11 million doses from a week ago, she said. Most of the vaccine shipments coming out now are the injectable version, with about one-third of the supply as the inhaled version.

The more plentiful shipments of injectable vaccine come as good news for public health officials who are scrambling to vaccinate high-risk groups first. The inhaled version, which made up most of the earliest doses, is contraindicated for many vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children younger than age 2.

Though Schuchat held off on making longer-range vaccine output projections, she said if everything goes smoothly an additional 8 million doses should become available to states over the next week.

Getting vaccine to at-risk people
In response to reports that some corporate clinics have received some supplies of pandemic vaccine to distribute to employees, Schuchat said state and local officials are working hard to put the vaccine in the path of high-risk patients, even if that means putting it in a setting where they can easily get the vaccine at their workplace clinic. Yesterday the New York Times and other media outlets reported that New York City health officials distributed small amounts to businesses, including to some Wall Street firms.

The story has prompted anger and speculation that businesses might use their doses for executives and others that are not in high-risk groups. Yesterday the CDC sent a letter to state health departments reminding them to target scarce vaccine doses to high-risk patients. Schuchat did not directly link the letter to reports of businesses receiving vaccine doses.

She added that over the past several years, businesses have been instrumental in getting seasonal vaccine into the arms of Americans. She said states are using a range of strategies for getting the vaccine to high-risk groups.

For example, she singled out a drive-up vaccination clinic that public health officials in the Champaign-Urbana, Ill., area are using to deliver doses to children with special needs.

However, Schuchat said CDC officials acknowledge that the slow flow of pandemic vaccine has hampered state and local efforts to direct patients to the shots. Today a poll from the Harvard School of Public Health showed that only half of adults were able to determine where to get the vaccine.

Since vaccine campaigns launched in October, only a third of parents who tried to get their children vaccinated were able to do so, and only about one third of high-risk adults were able to find doses for themselves.

Schuchat said the good news in the Harvard survey was that 91% of those who attempted unsuccessfully to find the vaccine said they would try again to get it. The Harvard survey, part of an ongoing series, was based on a national sample of 1,073 adults.

Antiviral options
Though the scarce supply of vaccine in the face of such widespread flu activity is frustrating, Schuchat said antivirals are another very effective tool in fighting the virus. Today the CDC e-mailed a health advisory to clinicians reminding them that it's not too late to start a patient on antiviral treatment, even if their symptoms began more than 48 hours prior, which has been the optimal treatment window.

Those who benefit from even later treatment with antivirals include not just hospitalized patients, but also outpatients with underlying health conditions and any moderately ill patient who appears to be getting worse.

People without risk factors can also benefit from treatment, the CDC said, pointing out that 40% of children and 20% of adults who were hospitalized with pandemic H1N1 infections did not have underlying risk factors.

The CDC also reiterated that antiviral treatment should be started empirically in patients with suspected infections, without waiting for laboratory confirmation.

See also:

Nov 6 CDC weekly flu surveillance update

Nov 6 Harvard School of Public Health press release

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Roscoe and Miss Priss 

8 O.C. adults died of swine flu last week
By COURTNEY PERKES
The Orange County Register
November 09, 2009 5:54 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/...l-thompson.html


Eight Orange County adults died of swine flu last week, including another pregnant woman, county health officials reported Monday.

The 33 percent increase in local deaths brings the total H1N1-related fatalities to 34. Most of those suffered pre-existing conditions ranging from obesity to cancer to diabetes. Three were pregnant and four were children.

"There's no connection between these eight cases," said Health Care Agency spokeswoman Deanne Thompson. "They didn't go to the same school or church or have social connections."

Thompson said the sharp increase is not surprising given increasing illness in the community and around the state.

The deaths come after a weekend of public vaccination clinics targeting young people 2-18, health care workers, and parents of infants too young for the vaccine. But national shortages have created frustration among those waiting for the vaccine.

"We are seeing a limited amount making its way to the private providers," Thompson said. "We just don't know how soon those shipments will resume."

The Health Care Agency is vaccinating about 300 pregnant women a day with a preservative-free version. Appointments are available Monday-Friday in Santa Ana by calling 800-564-8448.

"We certainly don't want to foster a sense of panic," Thompson said. "It certainly underscores that people in high-risk groups need to get vaccinated if they can. People should actively seek out who has it and continue to check with their providers and check with us."

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

Having had a woman sneeze full-on in my face on a plane this Saturday, I can relate to this story...


Crew Boots Woman From Flight In H1N1 Scare
United Airline Crew Told Woman They Feared She Had Swine Flu
http://www.kcra.com/health/21569012/detail.html


HONOLULU -- A Hawaii woman was kicked off a United Airlines plane bound for Honolulu Monday when the flight crew accused her of having swine flu.

Mitra Mostoufi and daughter Pagie told Honolulu news station KITV the ordeal started aboard their plane in Tampa, Fla.

Their plane was about to depart when Mitra -- who said she had an upset stomach -- returned from the airplane restroom. She said the flight crew was more than terse.

"'Get your stuff and let's go. Get your belongings.' And I said, 'Why?' 'Because you're sick.' Right in front of everybody. And I said, 'I'm not sick and I'm not going to argue with anybody at that point,'" said Mostoufi.

Mostoufi said she and her daughter left the plane embarrassed and humiliated.

Mitra Mostoufi said asked another employee for further explanation and learned the crew believed she had the swine flu.

"'The crew does not feel good about you flying because you might be sick.' I didn't know they were all physicians," said Mitra Mostoufi.

She said she had had flu shot and no one ever took her temperature. The pair missed United's only flight of the day from Tampa to Hawaii.

Her husband said he learned of their plight a short time later.

"I couldn't believe it, first time I heard that from her," said Bob Mostoufi. "I think this is discrimination for anybody who's sick."

But the Mostoufis said they agree in this age of the swine flu there must be a balance in protecting public health and respecting individual rights.

"I appreciate their concern for other customers and guests. I don't have any problem with that. The only problem I have is the way they handled the situation," Mitra Mostoufi said. "We are human beings. Maybe I sneeze. It doesn't mean I have the flu. You cannot assume that and get me out of the airplane."

United Airlines' policy allows the crew to determine if someone who appears visibly ill should be allowed to fly.

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/...-111109.article

Swine flu ban: No young visitors at Stroger, other county hospitals
They join other medical centers in move to limit spread of H1N1

November 11, 2009

By MONIFA THOMAS Health Reporter

Starting today, the Cook County Health and Hospitals System joins the ranks of Chicago-area hospitals that are banning visitors under the age of 18 in an effort to limit the spread of H1N1 swine flu.

The latest ban applies to the county-run Stroger, Provident and Oak Forest hospitals.

Other restrictions also will be put in place, including having visitors who are allowed in to wear gloves and gowns.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/co...1309cdc-jw.html

CDC cites some signs of ebbing US flu activity
Robert Roos News Editor


Nov 13, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – Today's weekly influenza reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contain some hints that the fall wave of H1N1 flu may have crested, though cases are still widespread over most of the country.

Visits to the CDC network of sentinel doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) declined last week for the second week in a row, and the number of states with widespread flu activity dropped from 48 to 46, the agency reported.

On the other hand, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and flu both continued to climb, the CDC said. In addition, another 26 pediatric deaths linked to confirmed H1N1 cases were reported, bringing the total since April to 156.

ILI-related visits last week made up 6.7% of all visits to doctors, which is down from 7.7% the week before, the CDC said in its detailed weekly FluView report. Visits dropped in all regions except New England.

"This is the second week of national decreases in ILI after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases," the agency said in its general H1N1 Situation Update. "While ILI declined nationally, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness remain higher than what is seen during the peak of many regular flu seasons," the agency update said.

The CDC says that all states except Hawaii, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Texas had widespread cases last week; those states had regional activity. Only two states had less-than-widespread activity the previous week.

The proportion of deaths related to pneumonia and flu in the CDC's 122-city mortality reporting system reached 7.7% last week, which was above the epidemic threshold of 6.8% for the week. The percentage has been above the threshold for 6 weeks in a row, the agency said.

However, charts in the FluView report show that the numbers of hospitalizations and deaths related to influenza of all types both dropped last week compared with the week before. The charts indicate something in excess of 3,000 hospitalizations and between 100 and 150 deaths last week. The CDC says that more than 99% of viruses in circulation are the 2009 H1N1.

Thirty-five children's deaths related to flu were reported last week. Of those, 26 were linked to confirmed H1N1 infections, while 8 involved influenza A viruses that were not subtyped, and one involved type B, the CDC reported.

The number of pediatric deaths attributed to confirmed H1N1 cases since April has reached 156; another 23 cases involved confirmed flu viruses that were not subtyped.

The total of 156 is higher than the number for any seasonal flu epidemic of the past 5 years, according to numbers listed in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The article says the highest pediatric death toll in that span was 153, with an average of 82.

The FluView report says deaths due to confirmed flu from Aug 30 to Nov 7 totaled 877, and there were 22,364 hospitalizations related to confirmed flu in that period.

Those numbers include only confirmed flu cases. Yesterday the CDC presented a new estimation method, in part to allow for untested cases. Using that method, officials estimated total US H1N1 deaths since April at 3,900.

The number of oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 isolates found in the United States through October is 14, out of 256 isolates tested, according to the MMWR article. Twelve of the 14 patients had received the antiviral drug for treatment or prevention.

See also:

CDC H1N1 Situation Update page
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

CDC's weekly FluView report
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

CDC. Update: Influenza activity—United States, August 30–October 31, 2009. MMWR 2009 Nov 13;58(44):1236-41 [Full text]

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Roscoe and Miss Priss 

NY teen dies of complications from swine flu
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Last Updated: 5:55 PM, November 18, 2009
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/...IS6Nbw ZyDUvoJ


SANBORN, N.Y. — A high school student has become Niagara County’s second confirmed fatality connected to the swine flu.

County health officials said Wednesday that the 10th-grader at Niagara Wheatfield Senior High School died Monday night. Spokeswoman Elaine Roman says the boy did not have an underlying medical condition.

Authorities declined to release his name or other information.

Last week, an adult male died elsewhere in the upstate New York county.

The state Health Department recorded 16 swine flu-related deaths upstate between Sept. 1 and Nov. 7. That number does not include Monday’s death.

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

Wis. confirms 11 swine flu deaths in last week
Associated Press - November 18, 2009 1:35 PM ET
http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11530355


MADISON, Wis. (AP) - State health officials are confirming 11 more deaths related to the swine flu in Wisconsin.

The Department of Health Services said Wednesday the deaths were confirmed in the past week across the state, bringing to 31 the number of deaths statewide since last spring.

The new deaths includes two each in Dane and Portage counties, and single cases in Jefferson, Kenosha, Marathon, Oconto, Ozaukee, Racine and Waupaca counties.

The department said swine flu cases are modestly decreasing across the state, but the presence of the virus still remains widespread.

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

Six die of swine flu in New Jersey
Posted on Wed, Nov. 18, 2009
By Don Sapatkin
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/b...New_Jersey.html


Six more people, including two from Burlington County, have died of complications from swine flu, New Jersey health officials reported today.

All were adults with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and obesity.

The deaths are reported in the state's weekly update to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the week that ended Saturday, but only two of them actually occurred last week. The others, all from the previous week, include some cases for which novel H1N1 was confirmed by the state laboratory until recently, officials said.

Three of the people lived in South Jersey:

In Burlington County, a 36-year-old woman died on Nov. 6 and a 42-year-old woman died on Nov. 8.

In Ocean County, a 33-year-old woman died on Nov. 11.

They bring to 28 the number of New Jersey residents who have died of swine flu since last spring.

"The deaths are not an indication of an increase in the severity or prevalence of H1N1 in New Jersey but are a reminder that influenza is a serious disease and can cause serious complications," Susan Walsh, deputy commissioner in the Department of Health and Senior Services, said in a statement.

"It is important that everyone remember the public health measures that can reduce the chances of contracting the disease - get vaccinated against H1N1, wash your hands frequently, cover your cough and stay home when you're sick."

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.

 

Swine flu deaths rise by 7 in NM
Posted at: 11/18/2009 5:21 PM
By: The Associated Press
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/...9.shtml?cat=516


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Health officials say seven more people have died in New Mexico due to the swine flu.

Officials with the New Mexico Department of Health said Wednesday those who have died in the last week include four people from Bernalillo County - a 57-year-old man, a 62-year-old man, a 58-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman. All had chronic health conditions.

A 12-year-old boy from Dona Ana County and a 52-year-old man from Eddy County, both with chronic health conditions, also died. A 29-year-old woman from Dona Ana County who died had no chronic conditions.

Their deaths bring the statewide total to 36 deaths related to swine flu.

The Health Department has ordered 283,430 doses of nasal and injectable vaccine.

__________________

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." - Marilyn Monroe

Don't anthropomorphize viruses. They hate that.