LA: Bossier Parish 3rd grader dies from H1N1

[tetano]

Louisiana - DHH confirms child dies of swine flu strain, known as H1N1

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana ? State health officials have confirmed the death of a Northwest Louisiana child caused by the swine flu variety, known as H1N1 influenza, one of several strains currently circulating.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals say the child died Wednesday at a Shreveport hospital. It's the first confirmed pediatric death in the state this flu season.

Officials say the death has been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as required by law, but it won't show up in the state's surveillance report until next week.

At least 20 people have died in the state from the flu since Oct. 1.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/822ed7945d964451bf7ea218077d862d/LA--Swine-Flu-Death

[Giuseppe]

Re: Louisiana - DHH confirms child dies of swine flu strain, known as H1N1

[Source: State of Louisiana Department of Health, full page: (LINK).]


Louisiana Confirms Pediatric Death from H1N1 Flu

Health Officials Expect Long Flu Season


Friday, January 10, 2014 | Contact: Media & Communications: Phone: 225.342.1532, E-mail: dhhinfo@la.gov

BATON ROUGE, La.?The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals today confirmed the death of a Northwest Louisiana child in a Shreveport hospital this week due to H1N1 flu.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to this child's family and friends," said DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert. "It is important we all remain vigilant for symptoms of flu-like illness, and be serious about taking preventative measures against the spread of flu."

This is the first confirmed pediatric death in Louisiana this flu season. Federal law requires that states report all flu deaths in children to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death has been reported to the CDC, but will not show up in Louisiana's flu surveillance report until next week.

Since Oct. 1, 2013, high tech lab tests have confirmed at least 20 deaths statewide from influenza. However, hundreds of people die in Louisiana each year without ever being diagnosed with the flu or from other conditions made worse by influenza, so this figure does not represent the full risk to the population of the flu.

CDC evaluations, adjusted to the 2014 situation in Louisiana, estimate since October 2013 in Louisiana there may have been up to 300,000 cases, up to 500 hospitalizations, and up to 200 deaths caused by influenza. The statewide estimate by the CDC is based on their data adjusted for 2014.

To understand more about how CDC produces their estimates please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm#categories

H1N1 is one of several strains of the flu that are circulating right now. All can be deadly. Louisiana's flu activity has spiked in recent weeks and continues to be widespread and very high. Health officials expect this year's flu season to continue into April.

According to the state's most recent influenza surveillance data, flu symptoms accounted for about 7.6 percent of the state's doctor visits last week. The state's seasonal flu activity is most prevalent in North and Central Louisiana. Click here to view the influenza surveillance reports.

Because of the increases, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is strongly encouraging all residents who haven't already done so to protect themselves and their families by getting a seasonal flu vaccination. Each year, the flu kills more than 36,000 Americans.

"It's not too late to vaccinate," said J.T. Lane, assistant secretary for Public Health. "The flu shot only takes a few days to be effective, and people are usually protected completely within 7-to-10 days of getting the flu vaccine. Vaccines are the best preventive measure we have to help fight the spread of this illness. This year's vaccination will protect against the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus."

The CDC recommends everyone older than 6 months get the flu vaccine. Medical studies show getting the flu vaccine has proven to be very safe and effective in preventing people from catching the flu.

While everyone should get a flu vaccine, vaccination is especially critical for certain groups of people who are at a higher risk of developing flu-related complications. Those groups include:

• Children younger than 5, especially children younger than 2 years old
• Adults 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• American Indians and Alaskan Natives, who appeared to be at higher risk of flu complications last flu season
• People who have a weakened immune system or chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease

"Vaccination is also important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high-risk individuals to keep from spreading flu to people who may be especially susceptible to the virus' effects," said Dr. Frank Welch, director of the state's immunization program. "This includes anyone who works with babies younger than 6 months of age, who are not eligible for the vaccine, themselves. This year's vaccine is plentiful and available at many places, including health care providers, pharmacies, some employers and Louisiana's parish health units."

In addition to getting the vaccine, DHH encourages the public to take other preventive actions to stop the spread of the flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• While sick, limit your contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

For more information on flu activity by region in Louisiana and to find out how you can avoid being ill, visit www.FighttheFlu.la.gov.

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[NS1]

Re: Louisiana - DHH confirms child dies of swine flu strain, known as H1N1

Influenza H1N1 pdm9 is the main strain seen this year in Louisiana.

This year it is not more and not less severe than in 2009.

Influenza can be a severe disease. The vaccine will help prevent complications and deaths.

Many are concerned about the severity of influenza this season in comparison with the previous years. The virus in circulation now is identical to the H1N1 pandemic strain from 2009 (now named H1N1pdm9).

http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/assets/oph/Center-PHCH/Center-CH/infectious-epi/Influenza/FluSeverity.pdf

http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/1591

The pH1N1 circulating in Louisiana is far from identical to the 2009 genetics.

Current circulating pH1N1 in Louisiana shows multiple instances of TamiFlu Resistance and averages 20 changes on the Hemagglutinin segment and 14 changes on the Neuraminidase segment.

An average of 34 changes across just two of the key genetic components is something other than Identical.

Polymorphic Count for Louisiana

• 20 - Hemagglutinin
• 14 - Neuraminidase

More importantly, numerous severity markers found on various sequences in the High-CFR Upsilon sub-clade have accumulated onto single backgrounds. Accumulation of changes correlated to clinical severity and fatality merits investigation beyond drafting a press release.

[NS1]

Re: Louisiana - DHH confirms child dies of swine flu strain, known as H1N1

pH1N1 Drug Resistant Low Reactor
CDC Fall 2013

Map - Active and Detailed

<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr style="width: 30%;" />46 Cases over 49 Sequences<hr style="width: 30%;" /></div>
Introduction

In the 32 days covering 2013-10-17 to 2013-11-19, the&nbsp;<span style="color: #783f04;"><b>United States CDC</b></span>&nbsp;released a total of 49&nbsp;<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;;">pH1N1</span></b>&nbsp;sequences at&nbsp;<strong>GISAID&nbsp;</strong>on 46 human cases<strong>&nbsp;</strong>sampled from February 2013 to October 2013. Geographic surveillance includes&nbsp;<b>America,</b>&nbsp;<b>Africa, Asia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay&nbsp;</b>and<b>&nbsp;Peru.&nbsp;</b>

The sequences in this Analytic Report describe a high level of genetic activity at the <b><span style="color: #274e13;">Hemagglutinin</span></b> <b><span style="color: #660000;">antigenic area</span></b> between <b><span style="color: blue;">aa155</span></b> and <b><span style="color: blue;">aa158</span></b> with <b>5</b> amino variations and <b>4</b> silent revisions. &nbsp; <b><span style="color: #274e13;">HA</span></b> <b><span style="color: blue;">225G</span></b> is present in <b><span style="color: #660000;">quasi-species</span></b> on <b>2</b>&nbsp;American samples and as dominant form in <b>2</b> tropical countries. The <b>Dominican Republic</b> <b><span style="color: #274e13;">HA</span></b> <b><span style="color: blue;">225G</span></b>&nbsp;<b><span style="color: #660000;">Low Reactor</span></b> appears on a <b><span style="color: #7f6000;">TamiFlu Resistant</span></b> strain. &nbsp;<b><span style="color: #7f6000;">Drug Resistance</span></b> is also found in <b>2</b> US sequences and <b>1</b> South American case . . .

Read the Open-Access, Full-Text
Investigational Analytic
including Genetic Details

[NS1]

Re: Louisiana - DHH confirms child dies of swine flu strain, known as H1N1

pH1N1 Drug Resistance & Vaccine Escape
CDC Fall 2013

Map - Active and Detailed

<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr style="width: 30%;" />29 Cases over 32 Sequences<hr style="width: 30%;" /></div>
Introduction

In the week from 2013-11-22 to 2013-11-29, the&nbsp;<span style="color: #783f04;"><b>United States CDC</b></span>&nbsp;released or updated a total of 32&nbsp;<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;;">pH1N1</span></b>&nbsp;sequences at&nbsp;<strong>GISAID&nbsp;</strong>on 29 human cases<strong>&nbsp;</strong>sampled from July 2013 to November 2013. Geographic surveillance includes&nbsp;<b>America,</b>&nbsp;<b>India&nbsp;</b>and<b>&nbsp;Hong Kong.&nbsp;</b>

. . .

Read the Open-Access, Full-Text
Investigational Analytic
including Genetic Details

[tetano]

H1N1 claims first pediatric victim in LA

State Health officials have confirmed the death of a Bossier City third grader was caused by H1N1 Influenza, one of several strains currently circulating. Eight-year-old, Kaitlyn Mills, died last week, just one day after becoming ill.

It's the first confirmed pediatric death in the state this flu season. A team of school psychologists are helping Central Park Elementary students deal with the loss.

http://www.watchfox29.com/content/newsexpress/story/H1N1-claims-first-pediatric-victim-in-LA/OUbQgdv8b02AayqOI7jWXw.cspx

[NS1]

Re: LA: Bossier Parish 3rd grader dies from H1N1

pH1N1
GenoTypic Vaccine Escape
in
Louisiana

The United States CDC today released a Louisiana genetic sequence from mid-November 2013 demonstrating a Receptor Binding Site variance in a mixture with wild type of HA 228A, an area recognised for high-probability Vaccine Escape.

The batch of sequences in this CDC deposit shows extensive ambiguity signaling quasi-species involvement.

Neither vaccination status, patient outcome, nor location was stipulated for this important RBS variance sequence.

[NS1]

Re: Influenza H1N1 pdm9 is the main strain seen this year in Louisiana - This year it is not more and not less severe than in 2009

pH1N1
GenoTypic Vaccine Escape
in
Louisiana

The United States CDC today released a Louisiana genetic sequence from mid-November 2013 demonstrating a Receptor Binding Site variance in a mixture with wild type of HA 228A, an area recognised for high-probability Vaccine Escape.

The batch of sequences in this CDC deposit shows extensive ambiguity signaling quasi-species involvement.

Neither vaccination status, patient outcome, nor location was stipulated for this important RBS variance sequence.

[Pathfinder]

Re: LA: Bossier Parish 3rd grader dies from H1N1

Flu cases continue to soar in SWLA: mainly H1N1

Posted: Jan 16, 2014 9:29 AM CST Updated: Jan 16, 2014 9:29 AM CST
By Britney Glaser -

State health officials are warning this year's flu looks a lot like the 2009 strain that killed thousands of people. Local infectious disease physician, Timothy Haman, explains what is making this year's flu so intense.

Hospitals in Southwest Louisiana are busy with the flu, reporting three times the baseline number. "Our flu activity right now is very elevated. The usual baseline is around 2.5 percent and we are well over 7.0 percent," said Dr. Haman with CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital.

Dr. Haman says the predominant strain is H1N1, the same as the deadly swine flu outbreak of 2009. "It tends to be a little more infectious and it tends to spread a little more easily than the other strains," he said.

Younger people are being hit especially hard by the flu this year and it is packing a nasty punch. "They can have a very severe response and develop what is called acute respiratory distress syndrome," said Dr. Haman, "and we have seen several cases of this, both at our hospital and other hospitals locally."

This year's flu test is not proving as effective as in years past. Some people presenting with flu-like symptoms are being told they do not have the flu. However, when those samples undergo more sensitive testing at a site in New Orleans, they test positive for the flu. "We had several patients that appeared to have very severe cases of the flu, but their swabs were negative so we contacted the Office of Public Health and were able to do some more sensitive and they did all return positive for flu," said Dr. Haman.

While a firm number on flu deaths has not been given this season, we have been told that there are around 10 in Southwest Louisiana.
...

http://www.wafb.com/story/24470592/flu-cases-continue-to-soar-in-swla-mainly-h1n1