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UK: 607 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

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

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

A larger number of critical care patients could indicate a more intense wave than last year, but the duration of the wave may also be affected. Fatalities in Maharashtra, India in July/Aug 2010 were double the same period in 2009, so a more intense wave is not out of the question.
 
Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010)

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

Some snips from WHO See also: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156874


Influenza update - 17 December 2010

In the United Kingdom, the winter influenza epidemic is under way, particularly across England. Since mid to late November 2010 there have reports of increasing numbers of community outbreaks of influenza (due to both influenza H1N1 (2009) and B viruses), increasing proportions of sentinel respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza (56% in England during the second week of December; of which 67% were H1N1 (2009) and 33% were influenza B viruses), and increasing numbers of severe influenza cases requiring intensive care.

Available data indicate that the currently circulating strain of the H1N1 (2009) virus in the UK is epidemiologically and virologically similar to that observed last year during the influenza H1N1 2009 pandemic.

All influenza viruses characterized to date have been found to be similar to the strains currently included in the seasonal influenza trivalent vaccine. (see below in Virologic Surveillance for details on the characterization of the virus) It is too early to tell what the overall impact of the current epidemic will be in the UK in comparison to the 2009 season.

- snip -

Outbreaks of influenza A H1N1 (2009) and influenza B viruses in the United Kingdom.

A number of severe and fatal cases of influenza A H1N1 (2009) and influenza B have recently been reported by the United Kingdom.

Influenza A H1N1 (2009) viruses characterised to date, in samples from the community, hospitalised patients and fatal cases in the United Kingdom, are antigenically homogeneous and similar to the vaccine virus A/California/7/2009.

Genetically these H1N1 (2009) viruses have several amino acid substitutions relative to the vaccine virus but these do not affect the antigenicity of the virus and have also been seen in viruses from other parts of the world.

The B viruses analysed in the United Kingdom to date are B/Victoria/2/87 lineage viruses and are antigenetically and genetically closely related to the B/Brisbane/60/2008 vaccine virus.
 
Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010)

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

Severe flu cases in UK serve as warning to Europe

LONDON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - More than 300 people are in intensive care in hospitals across Britain with flu, and European health officials say the region should act now to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

A spokeswoman for the British government's health department said a total of 302 people were in critical care beds with flu. She could not say how many had the H1N1 strain which spread around the world as a pandemic from 2009, but experts said it was likely that H1N1 would be dominant.

"From around the country, reports from frontline staff are showing unprecedented levels of hospitalisation with severe flu in high-risk adults," said Peter Openshaw, director of the Centre for Respiratory Infection at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London.

...


http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6BK1R720101221
 
Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 30 Deaths and 302 Patients in intensive care (17 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 16 2010)

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

Thank you everyone for all the news articles and spirited debate:

In Italian -

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156927

ECMO use:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156898


We are watching the situation.

This is not a call to panic.

This is a call to be aware.

If you have any questions, please contact your health practitioner. They know your health condition and can advise you properly.

In the meanwhile -

Wash your hands frequently. A sad lesson we learned in the United States last year was that a co-morbidity such as a bacterial infection + A/H1N1 was lethal for some of our young adults.

Sneeze into your sleeve or tissue and then wash your hands.

Do not kiss on the cheek as a form of salutation this holiday season.

In crowded areas, try to maintain a personal distance. For instance on the subway, sit away from people if you can.

If someone is sick in your household:

1) Contact your family's health practitioner,

2) Isolate that person to one room,

3) Wash your hands and gargle with salt water or mouth wash each time you come out of their room before you do anything else. Use a cleansing solution to wash the door knobs, light switches, toilet handle, and anything else that the sick person has touched.


We have survived as a species with influenza for a millennia. A few simple tips will help you!
 
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

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

Alert as patient dies of swine flu

A patient at Macclesfield Hospital has died of swine flu. Macclesfield?s first death from the H1N1 virus this winter, it has sparked a warning from East Cheshire NHS Trust.

Residents over 65 or who have a long-term condition are urged to get a flu jab, which this year defends against three strains, including swine flu.

A spokesman added: "People who had a seasonal flu jab last year will need to get a jab this winter. Most people who contract swine flu will start to feel better after a few days without needing to go to their GP or A&E. It is important to stay at home, to reduce the chance of spreading the virus to other people."

For information go to nhs.uk

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1402318_alert_as_patient_dies_of_swine_flu
 
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

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

Professor Dame Sally Davies, interim Chief Medical Officer for England, said: ?We have not got a pandemic. It is quite a different situation from last year.
?What makes this an unusual year is the deaths are in children and adults below the age of 65, whereas seasonal flu deaths are predominantly in the over-65s. We want more people to come forward for the vaccine, particularly pregnant women.?


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...atients-intensive-care-flu.html#ixzz18pQJEkNQ​
 
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

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

sharon sanders said:
Professor Dame Sally Davies, interim Chief Medical Officer for England, said: ?We have not got a pandemic. It is quite a different situation from last year.
?What makes this an unusual year is the deaths are in children and adults below the age of 65, whereas seasonal flu deaths are predominantly in the over-65s. We want more people to come forward for the vaccine, particularly pregnant women.?


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...atients-intensive-care-flu.html#ixzz18pQJEkNQ​
Click to expand...

It would be unusual if the H1N1 (2009) would have lost its intrinsic virulence, things that so far is not happened.

Since the H1N1 (2009) has not decreased both its transmissibility and its pathotypical characteristics the clinical course is also likely to be same as experienced during 2009 pandemic waves.

Our interest should be focused on the clinical course in people who have already a natural immunity to the virus, achieved through natural infection early in 2009 wave, or through a complete cycle of vaccination (monovalent vaccines, adjuvanted or not, and booster seasonal doses).
 
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

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

We do not know the vaccination status of the patients and we do not know if any of the patients contracted H1N1 last year.

This year the UK recommended the flu jab for senior citizens and those in risk groups.

Without the patients records, we can only view the figures released by the NHS.
 
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

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

sharon sanders said:
We do not know the vaccination status of the patients and we do not know if any of the patients contracted H1N1 last year.

This year the UK recommended the flu jab for senior citizens and those in risk groups.

Without the patients records, we can only view the figures released by the NHS.
Click to expand...

Are these figure exceeding 2009 levels?

attachment.php
 
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

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: top doctor warns of crisis as few have H1N1 jab


  • guardian.co.uk, <time datetime="2010-12-21T21:06GMT" pubdate="">Tuesday 21 December 2010 21.06 GMT </time>


'Shockingly few' health professionals have been vaccinated as more than 300 people lie in critical care beds




  • <figure> <figcaption>
    The NHS may become unable to cope with the rapid spread of influenza because shockingly few people, including health professionals, have been vaccinated, a senior doctor warns today.


    Professor Steve Field, who until last month was the chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, spoke out as the Department of Health revealed there are more than 300 people in critical care beds with flu and 17 people have died.


    snip


    "Rates of uptake are shockingly low," said Field. "It was ill-advised not to have the public awareness campaign on seasonal flu jab uptake that we usually have, because we knew that the public and healthcare professionals were likely to become complacent after last year's swine flu pandemic wasn't the serious attack on the country that we thought it could be. With the added winter pressures on the NHS, we need NHS staff to be vaccinated as soon as possible, so that they can continue working,and we also need pregnant women and people who are vulnerable to have a flu jab that includes the swine flu vaccine as soon as possible."


    more...


    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/21/swine-flu-top-doctor-crisis






    </figcaption></figure>
 
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

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

IOH asked 'Are these figure exceeding 2009 levels?'

It is reported that the overall level of flu in the UK is not at epidemic levels, nor above what would be expected for this time of year. However, the number of hospitalised patients in ICU/ Critical care has now exceeded the numbers seen at the peak of the 2009 outbreak, and it is this ratio (overall case numbers positively identified in the community: numbers hospitalised in ICU or Critical Care) that is the cause for concern right now.

It is also clear that the current virus has some mutations compared with the vaccine virus, however, it seems that viral challenge is still capable of producing an antigen response. What is not clear (at least to me) is if this antigenic response is successfully eliminating the modified virus, or merely binding to it without successfully killing it.

In the above context, it may be worth reviewing the nature paper reported on here
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/panflu/news/dec0910adulth1n1.html

I hope that this question is clearly answered or (if necessary) investigated rapidly.
 
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

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

A new update from the HPA is due today.

The last update report was released on the 16th December

http://www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/Na...Releases/101216Weeklynationalinfluenzareport/

To view the latest report, visit http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/SeasonalInfluenza

Graphs can be found here
http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1284475036543
 
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

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

Wednesday, December 22, 2010,

NHS carry out virus tests into deaths of six children in Leicestershire

NHS staff carry out virus tests​Tests are being carried out to see if a number of people, including young children, have died from flu or respiratory disease.

It has been reported that three adults have died from swine flu and six children aged under five have died from viral respiratory diseases in Leicestershire in the past few weeks.

NHS managers refused to comment on the numbers until they have the results of laboratory tests to confirm the causes of death.

continues at;

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co....en-adults/article-3030558-detail/article.html
 
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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

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

Many thanks to everybody for their work here :applause:
 
UK Neuraminidase with Adjacent Bird Flu Polymorphisms

UK Neuraminidase with Adjacent Bird Flu Polymorphisms

Perhaps one of the contributing sparks in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> has been located.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Two adjacent bird flu polymorphisms are emerging on the pandemic H1N1 NA segment primarily within 2010 human sequences that carry the HA 188T. This two change combination is found in PF11 on 17 Neuraminidase sequences, but more than 200 times in Avian H3N8, Avian H1N1 and every Avian HxN1 serotype from H2N1 to H12N1. The UKWhiteChapel4880374_2M_2010_11_28 carries these two adjacent NA changes.

<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
HA 188T is highly correlated with NA syn240T & 241I combination.

<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
HA<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
. . . . UKWhiteChapel4880374_2M_2010_11_28 (<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 0A,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . syn55L [S9, H5N1], <o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Iran16273_2009_11_22 with 226R<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . NZ_Waikato2_2010_01_04 with 233H,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . tkOntarioFAV117_1C_2009_12_07, et al],<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 188T [H6N1, H7N7],<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . syn338G [H3N8, H4, H5, H6, sw],<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [OzBrisbane209_51F_2010_08_09<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with 156E & 225G,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arizona05_2010_05_11 with 0A,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swine Asia 2005 with 0A, et al]<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 377K,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 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],<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . syn529L ctTgtagtctccctgggg)

<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
NA
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
. . . . UKWhiteChapel4880374_2M_2010_11_28 (<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 79P,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 100H mix wt,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . syn109G,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . syn240T,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 241I,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . 369K,<o:p></o:p>
. . . . . . . . syn377P)

Notes:<o:p></o:p>
syn240T with 241I
BLAST string=ggttcttgctttaccata, <o:p></o:p>
GISAID exam=212 matches
pH1N1 2010 Human ~ 16
pH1N1 2009 Human ~ 1
Remainder are Avian Influenza:
H3N8 mallard/Ohio/184/1986
Avian H1N1, H2N1, H3N1, H4N1, H5N1, H6N1, H7N1, H9N1, H10N1, H11N1, H12N1
 
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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

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

ming said:
Many thanks to everybody for their work here :applause:
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
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

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

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...ter-More-300-patients-intensive-care-flu.html

One in ten intensive care beds taken by flu sufferers

By Sophie Borland
Last updated at 9:03 AM on 22nd December 2010

* Comments (25)
* Add to My Stories


* Fears virus has grown more virulent over last year
* NHS managers draw up emergency plans to tackle outbreak

Almost one in ten intensive care beds is now occupied by a flu victim as the outbreak continues to worsen across Britain.

Official figures show that as many as 302 patients are fighting for their lives on units up and down the country, the vast majority suffering from swine flu.

These rates are far higher than at any time during last year?s pandemic - even at its peak there were only ever 180 flu victims on intensive care units at any one time...
 
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

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

Source: http://topnews.us/content/230904-swine-flu-reaches-prisons

Swine Flu Reaches Prisons!
Submitted by Satish Karat on Wed, 12/22/2010 - 09:04

The menace of swine flu has reached prisons also as there have been found seven cases of H1N1 influenza at two major jails.

Seven prisoners at HMP Manchester and HMP Hindley have been detected positive with swine flu. There are concerns that the virus could spread in the whole prison and could prove fatal for many people behind the bars.

Two cases of H1N1 influenza have been conformed at Category A Manchester jail, while rest of the five cases were found at Category B Hindley, near Wigan, Lancs...
 
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

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

Another three deaths linked to swine flu: Doctor

Doctors have warned they are seeing the worst flu outbreak in ten years in some areas as fears grow that three more people may have died after contracting swine flu

The new deaths would take the total to 20 so far this winter, with the majority linked to the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Laboratory tests on the latest deaths in Leicester are awaited.

Doctor Philip Monk, communicable diseases consultant for the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in the East Midlands, said: "It is the worst winter outbreak for influenza and viruses for ten years.

"There are a lot of illnesses out there. Vulnerable people, like young children, are at risk. Unfortunately some of them die."

Nationally flu levels remain normal for this time of year but cases have doubled in a week.

Flu seems to be following a similar pattern as during the pandemic with under 65s suffering severe illness.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: "It's not unusual to see this level of flu activity at this time of the year but, due to the fact that the H1N1 swine flu 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 usually see....





http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...-three-deaths-linked-to-swine-flu-doctor.html
Click to expand...
 
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

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

Not seen anything about Scotland - have you ?
 
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