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Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-persp...an-feb-22-2017
News Scan for Feb 22, 2017
Global flu, H3N2; Bipartisan pro-vaccine letter; Yemen cholera
Filed Under:
Anti-science; Influenza, General; Cholera; Public Health H3N2 strain dominates global flu, which shows signs of ebbing
Flu activity remains elevated throughout much of the world, with the H3N2 variant dominating, according to a new update from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report said the peak of flu activity may be over in parts of Europe and North America, with some countries reporting a slight downward trend.
According to the WHO, almost all viruses collected for antiviral sensitivity were susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitor class of antiviral medications, and most samples contain viruses that are antigenically matched with the strains used in the 2016-17 flu vaccine.
Asia, Northern Africa, and some countries in Europe reported a decline in cases, as did Canada. Mexico and the United States are still reporting increases in H3N2 cases.
Last week, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this year's flu vaccine was protecting only about half of all recipients from the flu, which is typical in H3N2-dominant years.
Feb 20 WHO update
Feb 16 CIDRAP News story "Current flu vaccine protects only about half of recipients"
Bipartisan group of US legislators supports vaccines
A bipartisan group of six high-ranking members the Senate and House health committees sent a letter yesterday to their congressional colleagues urging them to support the continued use of vaccines to protect American lives.
"The science is clear: FDA-licensed vaccines are proven to be safe and effective, and save the lives both of those who receive them and vulnerable individuals around them," the letter states. "As Members of Congress, we have a critical role to play in supporting the availability and use of vaccines to protect Americans from deadly diseases.?
In the letter, the authors, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), said that recent outbreaks of measles and pertussis, diseases that can be easily prevented with safe childhood vaccines, show that anti-vaccination campaigns pose a serious threat to the lives of Americans, especially infants or immune-compromised individuals who cannot receive vaccinations.
The letter comes 1 month after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has been criticized by the scientific community for denying climate change and having close ties to the anti-vaccine community.
Feb 21 Congressional letter
Yemen's cholera outbreak nears 19,000 cases
The WHO today, in its monthly report on the ongoing cholera outbreak in Yemen, announced no new deaths but 3,130 new suspected cases in January.
Ninety-nine people have died since the current outbreak began in October 2016. A total of 18,973 cases have been identified, making the case-fatality rate 0.5%. Children under the age of 5 have accounted for more than one third of cases.
The WHO said January's numbers signify a downward trend of new cases and are a sign that prevention methods were taking hold in the country.
Cholera, an acute, watery diarrhea can cause severe dehydration, fever, and even death. Most of the serious complications from the water-borne disease are seen in young children.
Feb 22 WHO statement
News Scan for Feb 22, 2017
Global flu, H3N2; Bipartisan pro-vaccine letter; Yemen cholera
Filed Under:
Anti-science; Influenza, General; Cholera; Public Health H3N2 strain dominates global flu, which shows signs of ebbing
Flu activity remains elevated throughout much of the world, with the H3N2 variant dominating, according to a new update from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report said the peak of flu activity may be over in parts of Europe and North America, with some countries reporting a slight downward trend.
According to the WHO, almost all viruses collected for antiviral sensitivity were susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitor class of antiviral medications, and most samples contain viruses that are antigenically matched with the strains used in the 2016-17 flu vaccine.
Asia, Northern Africa, and some countries in Europe reported a decline in cases, as did Canada. Mexico and the United States are still reporting increases in H3N2 cases.
Last week, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this year's flu vaccine was protecting only about half of all recipients from the flu, which is typical in H3N2-dominant years.
Feb 20 WHO update
Feb 16 CIDRAP News story "Current flu vaccine protects only about half of recipients"
Bipartisan group of US legislators supports vaccines
A bipartisan group of six high-ranking members the Senate and House health committees sent a letter yesterday to their congressional colleagues urging them to support the continued use of vaccines to protect American lives.
"The science is clear: FDA-licensed vaccines are proven to be safe and effective, and save the lives both of those who receive them and vulnerable individuals around them," the letter states. "As Members of Congress, we have a critical role to play in supporting the availability and use of vaccines to protect Americans from deadly diseases.?
In the letter, the authors, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), said that recent outbreaks of measles and pertussis, diseases that can be easily prevented with safe childhood vaccines, show that anti-vaccination campaigns pose a serious threat to the lives of Americans, especially infants or immune-compromised individuals who cannot receive vaccinations.
The letter comes 1 month after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has been criticized by the scientific community for denying climate change and having close ties to the anti-vaccine community.
Feb 21 Congressional letter
Yemen's cholera outbreak nears 19,000 cases
The WHO today, in its monthly report on the ongoing cholera outbreak in Yemen, announced no new deaths but 3,130 new suspected cases in January.
Ninety-nine people have died since the current outbreak began in October 2016. A total of 18,973 cases have been identified, making the case-fatality rate 0.5%. Children under the age of 5 have accounted for more than one third of cases.
The WHO said January's numbers signify a downward trend of new cases and are a sign that prevention methods were taking hold in the country.
Cholera, an acute, watery diarrhea can cause severe dehydration, fever, and even death. Most of the serious complications from the water-borne disease are seen in young children.
Feb 22 WHO statement