UK: 607 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

[sharon sanders]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Sharp rise in swine flu cases in Wales

Dec 23 2010 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail
CASES of swine flu in Wales have quadrupled over the course of the past week, we can reveal today.
Figures show the number of people seeking help for flu-like symptoms has hit a 17-month high as experts warned Wales faces another five weeks of flu misery.
The Assembly Government last night said 11 patients with swine are being treated in Welsh critical care units and a further 17, with flu-like symptoms, are being treated in intensive care.



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wa...#ixzz18v26rGda

[sharon sanders]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

I take this to mean that 28 are in ICU type conditions.

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Swine flu puts 10 in critical care in Warwickshire

Ten people are being treated for swine flu in critical care units across Coventry and Warwickshire, NHS Warwickshire says.

There are two cases at George Elliot Hospital in Nuneaton, two at Warwick Hospital and six are being treated at Coventry's University Hospital.

Flu cases have more than doubled in the past week in England and Wales, according to new figures.

People with flu-like symptoms are asked not to visit friends or relatives.

Those in high-risk groups, particularly pregnant women, are being urged to get vaccinations to protect against both seasonal flu and swine flu.

Figures from the Royal College of GPs show cases have risen to 87.1 per 100,000 people, from 32.8 in the previous week.

However, the number of cases this year is much lower than the number of people catching flu at the height of last summer's swine flu outbreak.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-12065954

[Giuseppe]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

NHS Direct 'under growing strain' as doctors told to give Tamiflu to low-risk patients



snip

It came as doctors were told they could prescribe Tamiflu to otherwise healthy people suffering from flu as the illness prompts a surge in hospital admissions.
The move is an indication of the authorities' concern about the risks from swine flu, which has become the predominant strain of the virus this winter and is striking younger age groups than usual.
Cases of flu have risen more than six fold in three weeks, the latest figures show.



snip


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-patients.html

This demonstrates as either the media outlets and public opinion were not aware of the fact that H1N1 (2009) influenza viruses have not lost their intrinsic virulence and the fact that WHO declared ended the first pandemic of XXI century does not mean the virus itself has become less dangerous for young adults, even without chronic conditions, as the seroprevalence studies suggested low immunity in this group even after two pandemic waves.

See also this report:

Miller E, Hoschler K, Hardelid P, Stanford E, Andrews N, Zambon M. Incidence of 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection in England: a cross-sectional serological study. Lancet, ;375(9720):1100-8. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)62126-7 (LINK)

-
-----

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Jab alert after swine flu deaths

THE deaths of three patients from swine flu at Whiston Hospital sparked a warning for pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions to be immunised.

Health chiefs have insisted there is no need for alarm and that deaths from flu occur every year in winter.

However, their refusal to release information would appear to restrict the Star from reporting a clear local picture of the situation.

What is known is that a 29-year-old woman was among the Whiston victims of the H1N1 virus.

But the NHS would not confirm the gender or ages of the other patients who died.

Nor would they release details of whether the patients were pregnant or suffered from underlying medical conditions.
..

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/8754901.Jab_alert_after_swine_flu_deaths/

[NS1]

UK and Brisbane Similarity

The HPA released a set of 4 UK sequences at GISAID on 2010-12-20 from the pre-severity phase dating from 2010-08-07 to 2010-11-28. We provide our ongoing and quite skeletal notes from the focal analysis for the sake of timeliness in collaboration. Additional interpretation will be pursued at the weekend and updated here at FT.

No imagination is required to see that 225G and / or 156E may be eventually, if not currently, attracted to the UKWhiteChapel4880374_2M_2010_11_28 background due to extensive homology shared with the previously discussed OzBrisbane209_51F_2010_08_09.

HA

. . . . UKWhiteChapel4880374_2M_2010_11_28 (
. . . . . . . . 0A [Arizona05_2010_05_01
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with syn338G & 377K,
. . . . . . . . . . Alabama08_2009_12_04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with syn226Q, 310A mix & 506V,
. . . . . . . . . . RussiaPerm_ZTS_2009_11_30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with 377K & syn475D,
. . . . . . . . . . RussiaBelgorod01_2009_11_30,
. . . . . . . . . . RussiaBelgorod05_2009_11_30,
. . . . . . . . . . Boston634_2009_11_09
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with 100N & syn270I],
. . . . . . . . syn55L [S9, H5N1],
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Iran16273_2009_11_22 with 226R
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . NZ_Waikato2_2010_01_04 with 233H,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . tkOntarioFAV117_1C_2009_12_07, et al],
. . . . . . . . 188T [H6N1, H7N7],
. . . . . . . . syn338G [H3N8, H4, H5, H6, sw],
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [OzBrisbane209_51F_2010_08_09
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with 156E & 225G,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arizona05_2010_05_11 with 0A,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swine Asia 2005 with 0A, et al]
. . . . . . . . 377K,
. . . . . . . . 454N [H7N3, H7N7, H9N2]
. . . . . . . . . . [Florida14_24M_2010_08_05
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with 188T, 454N,
. . . . . . . . . . FL_Pen210_2009_11_10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with 225E,
. . . . . . . . . . SouthCarolina18_2009_09_16_VxX
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with 159D, 224K, et al],
. . . . . . . . syn529L)

NA Score# 2601 ~
Johannesburg/115/2010 Score# 2584
India/8910/2010
Ghana/FS-10-4259/2010 Score# 2579
Ghana/FS-10-4241/2010
Johannesburg/119/2010
India/5107/2010
Florida/14/2010 Score# 2575
Kenya/0025/2009 Score# 2573

NA

. . . . UKWhiteChapel4880374_2M_2010_11_28 (
. . . . . . . . 79P,
. . . . . . . . 100H mix wt,
. . . . . . . . syn109G,
. . . . . . . . syn240T,
. . . . . . . . 241I,
. . . . . . . . 369K,
. . . . . . . . syn377P)

NA syn240T with 241I
Avian H1N1, H2N1, H3N1, H4N1, H5N1, H6N1, H7N1, H9N1, H10N1, H11N1, H12N1
17 human H1N1 2010

HA

. . . . UKCambridge118_4F_2010_11_19 (
. . . . . . . . syn118E,
. . . . . . . . 137T [41 sequences at GISAID],
. . . . . . . . syn163K,
. . . . . . . . 186P,
. . . . . . . . syn251L,
. . . . . . . . syn293L,
. . . . . . . . syn363G [21 sequences at GISAID],
. . . . . . . . syn455Q,
. . . . . . . . syn474C,
. . . . . . . . 504G,
. . . . . . . . 513V)

HA

. . . . UKWhiteChapel4780352_5M_2010_10_26 (
. . . . . . . . syn58C,
. . . . . . . . 100N,
. . . . . . . . 128D,
. . . . . . . . syn131S,
. . . . . . . . syn210S,
. . . . . . . . 377K)

NA Score# 2604 ~
Hawaii/13/2010 Score# 2577
California/VRDL129/2009
Malaysia/15506/2009
WAIKATO/118/2009
Washington/58/2009
ferret/Washington/WADDL13230/2009 Score# 2571
Boston/617/2009 Score# 2571

HA

. . . . UKBirmingham3220137_44F_2010_08_07 (
. . . . . . . . #8A,
. . . . . . . . 175K,
. . . . . . . . 311E,
. . . . . . . . 377K,
. . . . . . . . syn385V,
. . . . . . . . syn451K,
. . . . . . . . syn454S,
. . . . . . . . syn494E,
. . . . . . . . 537G)

NA Score# 2604 ~
NY3263_2009 Score# 2593
ferret/Washington/WADDL13230/2009 Score# 2588

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Sharp rise in swine flu cases in Wales
Dec 23 2010 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

CASES of swine flu in Wales have quadrupled over the course of the past week, we can reveal today.

Figures show the number of people seeking help for flu-like symptoms has hit a 17-month high as experts warned Wales faces another five weeks of flu misery.

The Assembly Government last night said 11 patients with swine flu are being treated in Welsh critical care units and a further 17, with flu-like symptoms, are being treated in intensive care.

...

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wa...#ixzz18vzctFZK

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

also from the article above;


The weekly influenza surveillance report, for the week ending yesterday, showed there were 88.5 consultations per 100,000 practice population, up from 22.5 the previous week.

This is equivalent to 2,655 people with flu-like symptoms ? almost half the number of people who fell ill at the height of the first swine flu pandemic wave in July 2009.

The levels are considered to be normal seasonal flu activity for the winter, but are the highest since the peak in July 2009.

The highest consultation rate in the last week ? 170 per 100,000 population ? was for people aged 15 to 24. And of the 33 samples sent for testing, 20 were positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus.



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wa...#ixzz18w0KLgwN

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Week 50 (Wales) report published 12/22;



Key points:
Wales
Week 50 clinical consultation rate reported through the GP Sentinel Surveillance of Infections Scheme is 88.5 consultations per 100,000 practice population.
This has significantly increased compared to the rate reported for week 49 of 22.5 per 100,000 practice population.
The consultation rate of 88.5 indicates that influenza is currently circulating.
The highest age specific consultation rate this week was for the 15-24year age group, at 170.0 consultations per 100,000.
Use of oseltamivir and zanamivir for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza is now indicated, in line with NICE guidance.
Thirty-three samples were submitted for virological testing by sentinel GPs during weeks 50. Twenty tested positive for influenza A(H1) 2009, one of which also tested positive for RSV, four tested positive for influenza B, four further samples tested positive for RSV and one tested positive for both parainfluenza and rhinovirus. The remaining four tested negative for influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, parainfluenza and adenovirus.

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457&pid=34338

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Week 50 (Northern Ireland) released 12/23;

Summary
All indicators of influenza virus activity have increased. GP consultation rates for combined flu/ FLI increased from 28.1/100,000 (updated) population in week 49 to 64.6/100,000 in week 50.
o flu/FLI rates remain below the Northern Ireland threshold (70/100,000 population);
o flu/FLI rates were highest in the 5-14 and 15-44 year age groups. Out-of-hours flu/FLI call rates have increased from 5.7 per 100,000 population in week 49 to 17.3 per 100,000 in week 50. The number of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 detections increased from 11 in week 49 (updated) to 45 in week 50. Three influenza B detections. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) weekly detections decreased from 19 (updated) in week 49 to 12 in week 50 (37% decrease).

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/Flu%20Bulletin%20Week%2050%20final.pdf

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Northern Ireland swine flu cases soar by 400%

The number of swine flu cases in Northern Ireland has increased by almost 400% in the past week.

The Public Health Agency says there are now 45 reported cases compared to 11 last week.

GPs are reporting a significant increase in the number of people they are seeing with combined flu and swine flu symptoms.

Rates are highest among those aged between 5-14 and 15-44 years.

A total of 302 people are in intensive care in England with flu-like illness; of those, 24 are under the age of five years.

The PHA issued a warning earlier this month after three pregnant women were diagnosed with swine flu in Northern Ireland.

It said it wanted all pregnant women, regardless of their pregnancy stage, to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12068934

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010) due to influenza

Weekly national influenza report
23 December 2010

Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) indicate that levels of seasonal flu are continuing to increase across the UK with both community and hospital data showing a steady upward trend in the numbers of cases.



Vaccine uptake among those in 'at risk' groups continues to remain low in some high risk groups, with 43 per cent of such people under 65 taking up the offer of vaccination. Everyone over the age of 65 is entitled to the vaccine and uptake in this age group is currently 68.5 per cent.

The two main strains of flu circulating are Influenza A H1N1 (2009) 'swine' flu and Influenza B, with H1N1 being the predominant strain. A small proportion of flu cases are resulting in severe disease, particularly in people under the age of 65. This is due to the fact that H1N1 is more likely to infect young people and, unfortunately, a very small number of these may develop severe disease.

In the past week, the HPA has been notified of a further 10 people who have died with confirmed flu, bringing the total number since the flu season began in October this year to 27. 24 of these people died with the H1N1 (2009) strain and three with Influenza B. 18 of those who died were adults and nine were children.

Almost half of those who have died were in a clinical 'at risk' group for vaccination. Vaccination status is known for 22 of these 27 people and only one person received this year's seasonal vaccine.

Currently, 19 people are receiving ECMO (Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) treatment in a UK hospital.
Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: "The level of flu activity we are currently seeing is at levels often seen during the winter flu seasons, but due to the fact that H1N1 is one of the predominant strains circulating at the moment, we are seeing more severe illness in people under the age of 65 than we would normally expect.

"Flu can be an extremely serious illness for people in 'at risk' groups, including pregnant women, the elderly and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, lung, liver or renal diseases and those who have weakened immune systems.

"Flu vaccination offers the best protection from seasonal flu and we continue to urge those in risk groups, including pregnant women at any stage of their pregnancy and healthcare workers, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The vaccine is safe and effective.

"Most people with flu can 'self care' by taking plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids and taking over the counter pain relievers such as paracetamol. But anyone displaying severe symptoms, particularly those in vulnerable groups should contact their GP or local out-of-hours service for medical advice.

"The Department of Health has recently confirmed guidance on the use of antiviral drugs for the management of people who are displaying flu symptoms, this includes previously healthy people as well as those in 'at risk' groups. It's hoped wider access to antiviral treatments will help reduce the number of severe cases we are seeing."

Professor Watson continued: "While it is impossible to predict with any certainty the extent to which flu will affect the community each year, recent research conducted by the HPA has suggested that a very substantial wave of activity associated with the pandemic strain is not likely. Nevertheless, activity with H1N1 this winter was expected, particularly in younger age groups, and this, combined with influenza B activity and other winter respiratory viruses has caused a high level of illness at the moment."

ENDS

http://www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2010PressReleases/101223Weeklynationalinfluenzareport/

[Giuseppe]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (27 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 23 2010) due to influenza

From EuroFlu.org:http://www.euroflu.org/cgi-files/fig...England&type=c

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="838"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="#1d92ff" height="3" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="#0063c8" height="3" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0063c8" height="1" width="750"> Graphs for England, season 2010/2011 </td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="#0063c8" height="3" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="#1d92ff" height="3" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="white" height="3" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="white" height="1" width="750"> <table><tbody><tr><td>

The graphs below present sentinel data from England collected during the 2010/2011 influenza season. Click here if you would like to return to the previous page.

</td></tr></tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr><td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td><td align="right">Historical data</td><td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="white" height="8" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="white" height="1" width="750"> </td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="white" height="1" width="750"> </td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr><td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td><td align="right">Extended age groups (where available)</td><td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="white" height="8" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="750"></td> <td bgcolor="Black" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
-
----

[Story]

Flu kills 27 in Britain, spreading in Europe

LONDON - Flu has killed 27 people in Britain since the influenza season began in October and transmission of the virus is picking up across the European Union, health officials said on Thursday.

Latest data from Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed that 24 people died with the H1N1 flu strain that spread around the world as a pandemic in 2009, and three with from a strain known as flu type B. Eighteen of those who died were adults and nine were children.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/8560061/flu-kills-27-in-britain-spreading-in-europe/

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (27 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 23 2010) due to influenza

Flu surge alarms doctors as virus hits children

Concerns over the spread and virulence of the latest flu outbreak are increasing among health experts, following a doubling of cases in a week and the announcement today of 10 more deaths, taking the total this season to 27.

Influenza expert Professor John Oxford described the upward curve of the flu cases graph as "pretty horrible". According to the Royal College of GPs, confirmed cases have increased from 32.8 per 100,000 to 87.1 per 100,000 in the last week.

...


Oxford said the vaccine is highly effective against swine flu, but suggested it would not be a good idea to urge everybody under 65 to get the jab. "It is best to prioritise, otherwise there will be a great rush," he said. "They will soak up the vaccine and maybe there will be some other people who are more vulnerable, who will not join the rush and may end up in hospital."

He thought the government would be well-advised to mount some sort of publicity drive to get the most at-risk vaccinated, and said he thought it was remiss not to have done so already.

"I think it shows that if you are into cost-cutting, you can get into endless problems," Oxford said.

H1N1 had shown itself to be a dangerous virus. "It is perfectly capable of killing a perfectly healthy young person," he said.

...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/dec/23/flu-surge-doctors-virus-children