Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

[HenryN]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200808150352.html

Zimbabwe: Wave of Influenza Hits Country

The Herald (Harare)
Published by the government of Zimbabwe
15 August 2008
Posted to the web 15 August 2008

Harare

A WAVE of severe influenza, which has in some cases developed into complications such as pneumonia and diarrhoea, has hit some parts of the country as the cold weather persists.

Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Dr Edwin Muguti said people who develop that strain of flu should see a doctor early. He, however, said infections caused by viruses were common during winter as people usually remain indoors and get crowded.

"We expect the outbreak to go away soon and also encourage people to take a lot of liquids and citrus fruits which contain vitamin C to mitigates the flu," Dr Muguti said.

He said affected people should also take anti-biopirates such as paracetamol to deal with chest infections.

Symptoms of the flu include splitting headaches, dry coughs and weak joints similar to malaria.

"I was attacked by this kind of flu three days ago and had sleepless nights. For some time I thought it was malaria, but a nurse at our local clinic said it was just a severe strain of flu," said Power Kanonhuwa of Kuwadzana. Ms Tsitsi Marunda of Glen View said she was recovering from the flu, which had developed into diarrhoea.

Last year, the country was also hit by a wave of influenza, which prompted doctors to warn the public to seek treatment as they said it could develop into more serious complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and tonsillitis.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>1.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>15</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>2.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>16</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>3.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>17</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>4.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>18</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>5.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>19</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>6.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>20</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>4</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>7.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>21</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>8.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>22</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>5</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>9.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>23</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>9</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>10.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>24</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>21</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>11.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>25</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>26</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>12.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>26</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>33</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>13.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>27</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>18</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>14.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>28</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>3</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[HenryN]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200808150352.html

Zimbabwe: Wave of Influenza Hits Country

The Herald (Harare)
Published by the government of Zimbabwe
15 August 2008
Posted to the web 15 August 2008

Harare

A WAVE of severe influenza, which has in some cases developed into complications such as pneumonia and diarrhoea, has hit some parts of the country as the cold weather persists.

Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Dr Edwin Muguti said people who develop that strain of flu should see a doctor early. He, however, said infections caused by viruses were common during winter as people usually remain indoors and get crowded.

"We expect the outbreak to go away soon and also encourage people to take a lot of liquids and citrus fruits which contain vitamin C to mitigates the flu," Dr Muguti said.

He said affected people should also take anti-biopirates such as paracetamol to deal with chest infections.

Symptoms of the flu include splitting headaches, dry coughs and weak joints similar to malaria.

"I was attacked by this kind of flu three days ago and had sleepless nights. For some time I thought it was malaria, but a nurse at our local clinic said it was just a severe strain of flu," said Power Kanonhuwa of Kuwadzana. Ms Tsitsi Marunda of Glen View said she was recovering from the flu, which had developed into diarrhoea.

Last year, the country was also hit by a wave of influenza, which prompted doctors to warn the public to seek treatment as they said it could develop into more serious complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and tonsillitis.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>1.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>15</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>2.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>16</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>3.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>17</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>4.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>18</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>5.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>19</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>6.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>20</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>7.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>21</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>8.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>22</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>3</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>9.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>23</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>10.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>24</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>11.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>25</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>12.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>26</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>13.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>27</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>14.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Victoria lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>28</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[HenryN]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200808150352.html

Zimbabwe: Wave of Influenza Hits Country

The Herald (Harare)
Published by the government of Zimbabwe
15 August 2008
Posted to the web 15 August 2008

Harare

A WAVE of severe influenza, which has in some cases developed into complications such as pneumonia and diarrhoea, has hit some parts of the country as the cold weather persists.

Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Dr Edwin Muguti said people who develop that strain of flu should see a doctor early. He, however, said infections caused by viruses were common during winter as people usually remain indoors and get crowded.

"We expect the outbreak to go away soon and also encourage people to take a lot of liquids and citrus fruits which contain vitamin C to mitigates the flu," Dr Muguti said.

He said affected people should also take anti-biopirates such as paracetamol to deal with chest infections.

Symptoms of the flu include splitting headaches, dry coughs and weak joints similar to malaria.

"I was attacked by this kind of flu three days ago and had sleepless nights. For some time I thought it was malaria, but a nurse at our local clinic said it was just a severe strain of flu," said Power Kanonhuwa of Kuwadzana. Ms Tsitsi Marunda of Glen View said she was recovering from the flu, which had developed into diarrhoea.

Last year, the country was also hit by a wave of influenza, which prompted doctors to warn the public to seek treatment as they said it could develop into more serious complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and tonsillitis.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>1.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>15</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>2.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>16</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>3.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>17</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>4.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>18</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>5.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>19</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>6.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>20</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>7.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>21</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>8.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>22</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>4</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>9.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>23</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>10.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>24</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>11.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>25</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>4</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>12.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>26</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>13.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>27</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>4</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>14.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>South Africa</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>B (Yamagata lineage)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>28</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- END OF CONTENT -->

[tropical]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Post #14:
"The health officer said "vectoral viral strain" was detected in tests conducted on the 1,500 pneumonia patients in the city. He said the city health office has alerted the regional office about the presence of the Malaysian flu.

Agbulos, meanwhile, calmed residents who have become worried of the Malaysian flu. He said the strain virus is "only a common case of pneumonia.""

"Only pneumonia"!

Now for the off. folks became common to got (viral?) pneumonia from seasonal flu (?)

From Treyfish thread post text:
"the virus is a common upper respiratory tract infection although, he also said, it is stronger than ordinary pneumonia "

1500 cases (if the text realy said so).

Maybe that would be the next North seasonal flu strain "enfant terrible" ...

[gsgs]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

I'm wondering, can't USA/EU/WHO establish a NAMRU or such
in Hong Kong and do/pay sequencing of seasonal flu ?

That seems to be more important than surveillance in USA,
since new strains apparantly emerge in SE-Asia, while
US-strains usually die.

We have lots of sequences from USA, even full genomes
(with 1/2-1 year delay), but few from Asia, where it matters.

It's still a mystery, how new strains develop and dominate,
competing/killing previous strains.
Once we understand this better, we might be able to stop/delay
an emerging pandemic

[Shiloh]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://www.tweednews.com.au/storydis...toryid=3782191

AU: Schools hit by flu outbreak
August 20, 2008

A FLU outbreak across both Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School's senior and junior campuses is being blamed for the absence of more than 100 students.

More than 54 students from the junior campus in Tweed Heads were away for medical reasons yesterday and another 50 were absent from the middle and senior school in Terranora.

The number of students calling in sick began to average more than 30 a day since term three commenced in late July before a spike this week.

Junior school support officer Donna Ayers said some students had been presenting symptoms of the flu, including sore throats, headaches, high fever and vomiting.

"We are encouraging parents to keep their kids away from school when they are sick," Ms Ayers said.

"It is too hard to learn when they are this bad. I have been here 11 years and I can only remember one other occasion where it was this bad."

Marketing and enrolments director Myfanwy Stanfield said the average number of sick students a day was normally 10.

"A lot of the staff has also been affected by it as well. We had 10 away last week," she said.

Terranora Public School, only kilometres away from the middle and senior campus of Lindisfarne, was experiencing its own problems with the flu virus.

Principal James Hackett said the flu was common for this time of year in students.

"Most schools go through this during term three," Mr Hackett said.

"We had 17 kids away sick in a class last week and a third of the staff have also been affected."

A North Coast Area Health spokesman said the outbreak is nothing to worry about and the NSW Public Health unit had not been informed.

[Shiloh]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/marlbor...5381a6008.html


NZ: Flu bug sweeps schools
Rose Daly - The Marlborough Express | Friday, 22 August 2008

Blenheim colleges are battling an attack of 'flu and staff are begging parents to keep their sick children at home.

More than 200 students at Marlborough girls' and 100 at Marlborough boys' colleges were off school sick yesterday. Both schools have rolls of about 1000.

"It'd be good for them to stay away until they're well, until the symptoms are gone," office manager Kaye Bickson said.

"We've been heavily hit with it. We're taking 70 messages (calling in sick) ... maybe 100 plus for this week and last week." she said, adding that one of the staff who normally deals with absences is herself off sick.

"We're finding the average stay away is three or five days but some are coming back after only one day. Chest infections are predominant and we've had a couple of cases of students developing pneumonia, even one staff member."

Ms Bickson said this year's bout of winter illness was worse than last year and it had also arrived later than usual. There was also concern that with half of term three gone, there was still a lot more work to come.

"We've got a few weeks yet to persevere and with exams coming up at the end of term."

Marlborough Girls' College principal Karen Stewart said 209 of the school's 1040 pupils were absent yesterday, about 70 more than usual.

"It's particularly noticeable in assembly, the hall's strangely empty. It's been this way all week."

Teachers had also noticed large gaps in the classroom, but the school was fortunate staff had not been badly affected, Ms Stewart said.

Queen Charlotte College reported increased absences this week, though pupils were suffering from a variety of illnesses.

Nelson Marlborough medical officer of health Ed Kiddle said data from two weeks ago suggested there was a lot of 'flu around and we might not have seen the worst of it.

"We don't know if it's peaked yet. We're at a high point so far but we may see more cases ... it's highly likely."

According to Environment Science Research (ESR), the crown research institute that monitors notifiable diseases, this 'flu season has knocked more people back into bed than last year, but the latest figures show Marlborough has been let off lightly compared to other parts of the country.

The Influenza weekly update is compiled by ESR from data provided by doctors across the country.

Wanganui and Eastern Bay of Plenty reported more than 400 cases per 100,000 population between August 4 and 8 which puts them into epidemic status. By comparison, Nelson Marlborough had just less than 100 per 100,000 at that same time which is considered normal. In the week prior to that period however, Northland was plagued by the 'flu with the highest consultation rate of 826 per 100,000 followed by South Canterbury with 233 per 100,000 which is still considered in the normal band.

The strains of 'flu that vaccinations were supplied to combat this year were Solomon Islands (H1N1), Brisbane (H3N2) and Florida. Mr Kiddle said the vaccination supplied for this year's flu season have matched the strains identified in laboratory tests.

``In the swabs I've seen reported locally here, the ones here have matched the three strains ... two A and one B type.''

The region's emergency departments had reported a steady stream of patients but that they were not overloaded, he said.

Businesses around town appear to have escaped the virus so far. Big employers, such as Marlborough District Council, Cuddon Engineering Innovation and New World supermarket, say they have not noticed a big dip in staffing levels. The Marlborough Express, like many employers, offered staff a 'flu vaccination earlier in the year which appeared to lessen the amount of sick leave taken.
However, council support services manager Dean Heiford said a number of staff had children who had been sick.

``We may be hit yet.''
Base Woodbourne warrant officer John Bray said they had also not been affected by the virus.

[HenryN]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/marlbor...5381a6008.html



The strains of 'flu that vaccinations were supplied to combat this year were Solomon Islands (H1N1), Brisbane (H3N2) and Florida. Mr Kiddle said the vaccination supplied for this year's flu season have matched the strains identified in laboratory tests.

``In the swabs I've seen reported locally here, the ones here have matched the three strains ... two A and one B type.''

Last season there was virtually no H1N1 Solomon Island in circulation. It is mliekly that the H1N1 in New Zealand is Brisbane/59 and is Tamiflu resistant. The first 10 H1N1 sequenced from Australia this season had H274Y (Tamiflu resistant).

[HenryN]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR title="Click on column header to change the sort order"><TD class=viewDataBorderTBLBold height=30></TD><TD class=viewDataBorderTBRBold>Country</TD><TD class=viewDataBorderBold>Subgroup</TD><TD class=viewDataBorderBold align=middle>Period</TD><TD class=viewDataBorderBold align=middle>Year</TD><TD class=viewDataBorderBold align=middle>Value</TD><TD class=viewDataBorderBold align=middle>Source</TD></TR><TR><TD class=categoryPath align=middle colSpan=7>Communicable Diseases -> Influenza -> Influenza viruses detected</TD></TR><TR><TD class=indicatorInfo align=middle colSpan=7>(Periodicity: Week, Applied Time Period: from 1/2008 to 53/2008)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>1.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>15</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>2.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>16</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>3.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>17</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>4.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>18</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>5.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>19</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>6.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>20</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>7.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>21</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>8.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>22</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>9.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>23</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>10.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>24</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>11.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>25</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>12.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>26</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>13.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>27</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>14.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>28</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>15.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>29</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>16.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>30</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>17.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>31</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>18.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>32</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>19.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>33</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>20.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Caledonia</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (H1)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>34</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Giuseppe]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

[ECDC] The science and practicalities of making recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines.

The contents of the syringe - Salzberg S. - Nature 2008. 454, 160-161 (09 Jul 2008)

Description:
In this commentary the author argues that the influenza vaccination essentially failed in the USA in the 2007-8 season and that public confidence fell.(1)

He notes that vaccine effectiveness in the field was estimated to be only 44% (2) and he suggests that as a consequence the influenza season was especially bad last year in the USA, noting in passing that for this coming 2008/9 season WHO has recommended changing all three of components of vaccines: A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and influenza B compared to what was recommended for 2007/8 (Table).(3,4,5)

He goes on to criticise the WHO and others for holding closed meetings where recommendations on vaccination are made, not allowing debate and not publishing the data on which the decisions are based.

He argues that those like himself who make available sequence data publicly available could especially contribute to the process and improve strain selection (1,4)

He also recommends moving to producing influenza vaccines by cell-culture rather than the predominant technology which uses embryonated (fertilised) chicken eggs.(1)

Table: Comparing Influenza Vaccine Strain Recommendations for 2007/8 and 2008/9 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Seasons

WHO Northern Hemisphere 2007/8 season recommendation (February 2007)(3)
-- an A/Solomon Islands/3/2006(H1N1)-like virus;
-- an A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like virus;
-- a B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like virus

WHO Northern Hemisphere 2008/9 season recommendations (February 2008)(4)
-- an A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus;
-- an A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;+
-- a B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.#
+) A/Brisbane/10/2007 is a current southern hemisphere vaccine virus.
#) B/Florida/4/2006 and B/Brisbane/3/2007 (a B/Florida/4/2006-like virus) are current southern hemisphere vaccine viruses.

ECDC Comment (21/08/08):
The 2007/8 winter influenza season in the United States (US) was interesting and instructive for at least two reasons.

Firstly it was one of the few areas of the world there was significant circulation of influenza A(H3N2) viruses.(4)

In most other parts of the world where surveillance took place (including Europe) the season was dominated by A(H1N1) and influenza B viruses.(4)

Secondly for the first time ever CDC and its collaborator the Marshfield clinic in Wisconsin successfully produced interim in-season estimates of vaccine effectiveness.

However it would be wrong to characterise the 2007/8 influenza vaccine as having failed in the USA, or elsewhere.

In controlled trials among health adults it has been found that vaccines well-matched to the circulating strains often give between 70% and 90% protection against laboratory confirmed infection.

However what is observed in the field against clinical disease, hospitalisation and deaths is often lower.(2,5)

This is partially because of methodological issues (using less precise end-points than in trials) and also because the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions have the highest rates of severe outcomes from infection but often respond less well to immunisation.

Nevertheless because the prevalence of influenza infections in the population is high the protection afforded remains invaluable preventing much illness and saving many lives.(2,5)

Salzberg argues that there is a need to publish more of the data on which the recommendations are made, and to have some more debate.(1)

But WHO does publish the data quickly, and in some detail.(3,4,6)

Also in Europe and the USA, after the global recommendations are made, both the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration rapidly hold further discussions and debates.

However it is crucial to set this decision-making in the context of the industrial, scientific and public health process of vaccine production.

This works extraordinarily well despite its complexity with virological surveillance data well-linked to public health action.(7,8)

In order to have millions of doses available for the early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere the manufacturers have to have recommendations on vaccine composition as early as possible in the calendar year.

Then the best-growing strains have to selected and there also has to be time to for specialist laboratories (for Europe the National Institute for Biological Standards and Controls) to produce essential reagents for measuring vaccine potency before the vaccines are released.(7,8)

Running in completely the opposite direction is the need to wait as late as possible to get a good idea of what viruses are circulating in the current season, characterised not only by sequence analysis (as implied by Salzberg) but also be antigenicity, which requires growth and titration with appropriate antisera.

This is difficult especially since epidemics in the Northern Hemisphere have moved forward in recent years so that they are only become established in January or even February.

Usually the specialists have to meet in a short window in February which means intense pressure to get the most recent isolates in and generate the large amounts of data needed to make judgements.

This is why referral of specimens to National Influenza Centres (NICs) is so important, especially early each influenza season.

Again this works surprisingly well despite the testing, isolating and forwarding of viruses by primary laboratories is financially unsupported in many countries.

There can be no time for more public debate and peer-review before the decisions are made.

Salzberg suggests that more use should be made of sequence data in the decisions. That may be true but the decisions do not depend on structure and sequence data alone but also the antigenic similarity between vaccine candidate and the circulating wild-type viruses.

Classically this is judged not by sequencing but by seeing how the new season?s predominant isolates react in haemagglutination inhibition tests against post-infection ferret sera. (3,4,6)

Antigenic cartography (looking at where new strains are emerging in other parts of the world) is now starting to be added to the decision making.(9)

After the decisions are made at there is then always an element of chance.

Whether or not decisions that had to be made for the northern hemisphere in February based on last season?s data will hold ten to twelve months later in the next season. I.e. How much will the viruses alter before the next winter?

Even with hindsight it is difficult to see that the changes that were considered necessary for 2008/9 could have been anticipated in February 2007 (as they were by the time of the Southern Hemisphere discussion in the Summer of 2007)(6).

Though it may be desirable to see more data being published and there being an invitation for debate after the event it will be interesting to see whether this improves the decision after the event.

Finally of course the manufacturers still need to act on the February recommendation and having them second-guessed later may not be helpful, not inspire confidence in the public.

Salzberg?s recommendation to grasp the new technologies like cell-culture vaccine production is correct but as a statement it is out-dated.(1) The cutting edge of industry is already looking past animal cells to other growth systems. This kind of forward look is already part of WHO?s programme to expand global vaccine production and use where ECDC acts as an observer.(10)

However these new processes are expensive and potentially hazardous processes requiring high levels of biosafety. Though they are not dependent on the supply of special eggs switching manufacturing plants from egg-based technologies to cell culture will not be accomplished overnight. They will also not necessarily be much quicker in production where the rate-limiting steps are quality control, formulation and packaging irrespective of the use of cell culture or egg-based vaccines.(6,7)

What is interesting and important for the future is investing in virological and epidemiological surveillance in the tropical Far-East which seems to be the engine-room for production at least of new A(H3N2) influenza viruses which then disseminate out to the temperate zones.(9)

This may give better indication on what is coming to the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

1) Salzberg S. The Contents of the syringe Nature 2008 Nature 454, 160 - 161 (09 Jul 2008), doi: 10.1038/454160a
2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim within-season estimate of the effectiveness of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. 2007-8 Influenza Season. MMWR 2008; 57:393-398
3) WHO Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2007-2008 (northern hemisphere) influenza season. WER 2007; 82: 69-76 (March 2nd)
4) WHO Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2008-2009 (northern hemisphere) influenza season. WER 2008 83: 81-87(February 29th)
5) Mangtani P, Cumberland P, Hodgson CR, Roberts JA, Cutts FT, Hall AJ. A cohort study of the effectiveness of influenza vaccine in older people using the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database. JID 2004; 190:1-10.
6) WHO Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2007 southern hemisphere influenza season. WER 2007, 82: 345?356 (October 5th)
7) Gerdil C. The annual production cycle for influenza vaccine. Vaccine 2003; 21: 1776-9.
8) Inglis S, Wood J, Minor P. Making flu vaccines is a race against time in an uncertain world (correspondence). Nature 2008, 454, 939 (21 August 2008) | doi:10.1038/454939c
9) Russell C, Jones T, Barr I et al The global circulation of seasonal influenza A (H3N2) viruses Science 2008; 320 340-6.
10) WHO Global pandemic influenza action plan to increase vaccine supply. WHO Geneva Immunization, Vaccine and Biologicals. Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response. September 2006.

ECDC would like to thank a number of specialists who assisted in producing this text

Comments are invited to influenza@ecdc.europa.eu

ECDC discussed this earlier in the year in ECDC Influenza News Scientific Advances May 8th 2008. It should be noted that final vaccine effectiveness results from the 2007/8 season are pending and that the observed vaccine effectiveness against the most dangerous viruses, the A(H3N2) group was 58%.(2)
-

http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/Health_topics/influenza/news/news_Influenza_080821.html

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

EISS - Inter-season Electronic Bulletin - Week 33 : 11/08/2008-17/08/2008 - 22 August 2008, Issue N? 270 - Sporadic laboratory confirmed cases of influenza in Europe

? Summary:
Influenza virus detections occur sporadically in Europe. While no detections were reported in week 32/2008, there were two detections of influenza virus in week 33/2008.

Fourteen countries reported an assessment of the geographical spread of influenza activity in week 33/2008 of which thirteen reported no influenza activity and Switzerland reported sporadic activity.

In weeks 32-33/2008, only two influenza viruses were detected in Europe: an influenza A(H1N1) virus in the Netherlands and an influenza B virus detected in Switzerland.

Since week 21/2008 (i.e. 21/2008-33/2008), there have been a total of 118 influenza virus detections in Europe: 83 (70%) type B, 19 (16%) type A not subtyped, 11 (9%) type A subtype H3 and 5 (4%) type A subtype H1.

The majority of cases (91%) in the weeks 21-33/2008 were reported from non-sentinel sources.

The proportion of influenza B was quite substantial at the end of the 2007/2008 season but has now gradually diminished (see also the graph for Europe).

There have been no reports of unusual influenza activity in Europe at a community level (i.e. in a region or local area such as a city, county or district) since week 16/2008.

Background:
The Inter-season Electronic Bulletin presents and comments influenza activity based on virological data reported to EISS.

In weeks 32/2008 and 33/2008, a total of 16 countries reported virological data to EISS.

The Inter-season Electronic Bulletin will be published between week 21/2008 and week 39/2008.

The spread of influenza virus strains and their epidemiological impact in Europe are being monitored by EISS in collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Centre in London (United Kingdom) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm (Sweden).

Graph
The graph presents the total number of specimens positive for influenza A and B viruses in Europe during the inter-season period.

Map
The map presents the geographical spread as assessed by each of the networks in EISS.

A = Dominant virus A
H1N1 = Dominant virus A(H1N1)
H3N2 = Dominant virus A(H3N2)
H1N2 = Dominant virus A(H1N2)
B = Dominant virus B
A & B = Dominant virus A & B
= : stable clinical activity
+ : increasing clinical activity
- : decreasing clinical activity

No activity = no evidence of influenza virus activity (clinical activity remains at baseline levels)
Sporadic = isolated cases of laboratory confirmed influenza infection
Local outbreak = increased influenza activity in local areas (e.g. a city) within a region, or outbreaks in two or more institutions (e.g. schools) within a region. Laboratory confirmed.
Regional activity = influenza activity above baseline levels in one or more regions with a population comprising less than 50% of the country's total population. Laboratory confirmed.
Widespread = influenza activity above baseline levels in one or more regions with a population comprising 50% or more of the country's population. Laboratory confirmed.
Finland : Where available, the epidemiological data are provided by a health-care district in South-Western Finland (the health-care district serves 54,000 inhabitants i.e. approximately one percent of the Finnish population).

Network comments (where available)

-- Switzerland: No activity observed in Sentinel network. One non-sentinel specimen was detected influenza B in a 17 years old girl from North of the country.
-
http://www.eiss.org/cgi-files/bulletin_v2.cgi
-------

[Giuseppe]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Nonprofits promote flu shots at polling places

Aug 22, 2008 (CIDRAP News) ?

Two national nonprofit health groups are offering local public health departments a shot in the arm for fall influenza vaccination efforts by helping them organize immunization clinics at or near polling places.

The Vote and Vax program is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a healthcare philanthropy organization, and SPARC (Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration), a nonprofit organization focused on disease prevention, according to background materials posted on the initiative's Web site.

The program provides health agencies with technical expertise to set up the clinics and marketing muscle to promote them, but does not provide the vaccine. Public health agencies are advised to charge for the shots as they normally would at other fall flu-vaccination clinics.

Offering flu vaccinations on Election Day in November is a way to target seniors, who typically vote in large numbers, Vote and Vax organizers say. Seniors are one of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) priority groups for flu immunization.

SPARC started offering fall election clinics in the late 1990s, but the
program expanded in 2006 when it partnered with the RWJF to enable 25 public health agencies to sponsor Vote and Vax clinics at polling places. That year, the clinics delivered 13,790 vaccine doses at 127 polling sites in 14 states. The program's goal for Nov 4 is to expand to 1,000 polling places across the United States.

This November, the Guilford County Department of Public Health in north-central North Carolina will offer Vote and Vax clinics at eight polling places, according to an Aug 20 report in the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record. Lynne Beck, the health department's spokeswoman, said officials will visit 11 of the county's 165 polling sites before narrowing the number to eight. The department expects to charge $25 to $30 for the flu vaccine, the same as it charges at other sites, she told the News & Record.

In a report on the effect of the 2006 Vote and Vax, Douglas Shenson, MD, MPH, president of SPARC, and Mary Adams, MPH, an epidemiologist and partner at On Target Health Data in Hartford, Conn., wrote that Election Day in early November is an optimal time for flu vaccination. They also said that polling places, because they meet strict accessibility requirements, are likely to attract other vulnerable people besides seniors, who might be difficult to reach with the vaccination message. The report was published in the July-August issue of the Journal of Public Health Management Practice.

Survey results from the 2006 Election-Day immunization clinics revealed that more than 80% of the adults who were vaccinated were in the CDC's flu-immunization priority groups. About 43% of the recipients were men and 57% were women. Nearly 900 pediatric vaccine doses were administered at the Vote and Vax clinics. Eleven percent of the recipients did not have health insurance.

On a scale of 1 to 10, public health agencies rated the overall success of the program at 8.5. Health officials gave the program high marks for organization, ease of planning, publicity, and convenience for recipients. However, some sites reported problems with vaccine supply. One group had to cancel its clinic after its plan to offer free vaccinations at a polling place in a medically underserved neighborhood was criticized by political activists, who perceived it as "get out the vote" campaign for Democrats.

"We are encouraged that not only were significant numbers of participants 'new' vaccine recipients, but also 28% reported they would not have likely received an influenza vaccination had they not been offered one at a Vote and Vax site," Shenson and Adams wrote.

The Vote and Vax program could be a model for the delivery of other preventive health services such as cancer screenings or pandemic influenza measures, they wrote. Though the program isn't deployed in emergency conditions, it involves delivering a large single-day supply of vaccine to many residents in many non-healthcare settings across communities, they added.

The authors said, however, that some questions about the Vote and Vax strategy remain. For example, it's unclear if the program increases communitywide vaccine coverage. Also, they wrote that the political response in one community emphasized the importance of clearly separating public health activities from any perception of "political intrigue."

Shenson D, Adams M. The Vote and Vax program: public health at polling places. J Public Health Management Practice 2008 Jul-Aug;14(3):1-5 [Full text]

See also:
Vote & Vax Web site

http://www.voteandvax.org

-

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/general/news/aug2208votevax.html

------

[Shiloh]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/st...ectid=10528682

New Zealand: Flu woes worsen
5:00AM Sunday August 24, 2008
By Michelle Coursey

Flu figures have hit a three-year high as wet weather extends the virus season.

Schoolchildren have been particularly hard hit as rain forces them to stay indoors. Schools in Marlborough and Porirua have been blitzed by the virus, with large numbers of children absent.

Further north, Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer Craig Thornley said his office was aware of above-average levels of sickness, some schools reporting a 100 per cent rise in students off sick.

"It's likely that kids are spending more time inside, so there's more chance of transmission between them, and just some seasonal change in the types of viruses that seem to be going around," said Thornley.

Latest flu figures from Environmental Science and Research show type B influenza as the most common strain from August 11-15.

Eastern Bay of Plenty had experienced epidemic levels of the bug that week with more than 550 in every 100,000 people seeing doctors, while south Canterbury had the second-highest rates.

Auckland Public Health advises parents and pupils to stay home if sick, cover their coughs and wash their hands often to help stop the transmission of viruses. Parents should take children to a GP if they had difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe vomiting.

[HenryN]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/st...ectid=10528682

New Zealand: Flu woes worsen
5:00AM Sunday August 24, 2008
By Michelle Coursey

Flu figures have hit a three-year high as wet weather extends the virus season.

Schoolchildren have been particularly hard hit as rain forces them to stay indoors. Schools in Marlborough and Porirua have been blitzed by the virus, with large numbers of children absent.

Further north, Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer Craig Thornley said his office was aware of above-average levels of sickness, some schools reporting a 100 per cent rise in students off sick.

"It's likely that kids are spending more time inside, so there's more chance of transmission between them, and just some seasonal change in the types of viruses that seem to be going around," said Thornley.

Latest flu figures from Environmental Science and Research show type B influenza as the most common strain from August 11-15.

Eastern Bay of Plenty had experienced epidemic levels of the bug that week with more than 550 in every 100,000 people seeing doctors, while south Canterbury had the second-highest rates.

Auckland Public Health advises parents and pupils to stay home if sick, cover their coughs and wash their hands often to help stop the transmission of viruses. Parents should take children to a GP if they had difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe vomiting.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=indicatorInfo align=middle colSpan=7>(Periodicity: Week, Applied Time Period: from 1/2008 to 53/2008)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>1.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>19</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>2.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>20</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>3.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>21</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>4.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>22</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>5.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>23</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>6.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>24</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>3</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>7.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>25</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>6</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>8.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>26</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>5</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>9.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>27</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>3</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>10.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>28</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>7</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>11.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>29</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>7</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>12.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>30</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>10</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>13.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>31</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>13</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>14.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>32</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>23</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>15.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>Total B</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>33</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>16</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- END OF CONTENT -->

[HenryN]

Re: Seasonal Flu 2008 - 2009

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/st...ectid=10528682

New Zealand: Flu woes worsen
5:00AM Sunday August 24, 2008
By Michelle Coursey

Flu figures have hit a three-year high as wet weather extends the virus season.

Schoolchildren have been particularly hard hit as rain forces them to stay indoors. Schools in Marlborough and Porirua have been blitzed by the virus, with large numbers of children absent.

Further north, Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer Craig Thornley said his office was aware of above-average levels of sickness, some schools reporting a 100 per cent rise in students off sick.

"It's likely that kids are spending more time inside, so there's more chance of transmission between them, and just some seasonal change in the types of viruses that seem to be going around," said Thornley.

Latest flu figures from Environmental Science and Research show type B influenza as the most common strain from August 11-15.

Eastern Bay of Plenty had experienced epidemic levels of the bug that week with more than 550 in every 100,000 people seeing doctors, while south Canterbury had the second-highest rates.

Auckland Public Health advises parents and pupils to stay home if sick, cover their coughs and wash their hands often to help stop the transmission of viruses. Parents should take children to a GP if they had difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe vomiting.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=content><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>1.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>19</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>2.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>20</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>3.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>21</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>0</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>4.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>22</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>4</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>5.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>23</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>1</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>6.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>24</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>8</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>7.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>25</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>12</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>8.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>26</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>11</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>9.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>27</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>12</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>10.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>28</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>5</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>11.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>29</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>4</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>12.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>30</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>8</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>13.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>31</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>9</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>14.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>32</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>9</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top>15.</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top width=161>New Zealand</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>A (not suptyped)</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>33</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>2008</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>3</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top align=middle>view</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- END OF CONTENT --></TD><TD class=ContentTop width=14></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>