Re: USA - Texas: Public Health department confirmed H1N1pdm09 outbreak - in Houston area media report of 6 fatalities, 14 more critically ill - Montgomery county health says 2 confirmed H1N1pdm09
Re: USA - Texas: Public Health department confirmed H1N1pdm09 outbreak - in Houston area media report of 6 fatalities, 14 more critically ill - Montgomery county health says 2 confirmed H1N1pdm09
I've seen no evidence for this conclusion...
Published Date: 2013-12-21 19:32:56
Subject: PRO/EDR> Influenza (67): USA (TX) H1N1
Archive Number: 20131221.2129781
INFLUENZA (67): USA (TEXAS) H1N1
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Date: Fri 20 Dec 2013
Source: Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) [summ., edited]
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/Influenza-Health-Alert-122013.pdf
Influenza health alert
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Statewide influenza-like illness (ILI) activity continues to increase and is above baseline levels. ILI intensity is high in Texas, and influenza is now widespread. All Texas regions have reported laboratory confirmed influenza. Over 90 per cent of positive influenza tests reported from Texas laboratories have been typed as influenza A. Of those influenza A viruses that have been subtyped, 90 per cent have been the 2009 pandemic H1N1 subtype. This subtype of influenza is included in this season's [2013-14] influenza vaccine. No novel influenza cases have been reported in Texas. No antiviral resistant influenza strains have been reported in Texas.
Background
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Influenza viruses can be spread by large respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes in close proximity to an uninfected person. Symptoms can include fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, fatigue, and nasal congestion. Among children, otitis media, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common. Most people generally recover from illness in 1-2 weeks, but some people develop complications and may die from influenza. The highest rates of influenza infection occur among children; however, the risks for serious health problems, hospitalizations, and deaths from influenza are higher among people 65 years of age or older, very young children, and people of any age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza.
Vaccination
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Everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season [2013-14]. It is not too late for vaccination. There are several flu vaccine options available for the 2013-2014 flu season. All these vaccines contain the currently circulating H1N1 strain. DSHS [Department of State Health Services] does not recommend one flu vaccine over another, although there are special indications for some (such as a high-dose inactivated trivalent vaccine approved for persons age 65 years and older).
Rapid Lab Test
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Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) can be useful to identify influenza virus infection, but false negative test results are common during influenza season. Clinicians should be aware that a negative RIDT result does NOT exclude a diagnosis of influenza in a patient with suspected influenza. When there is clinical suspicion of influenza and antiviral treatment is indicated, antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible, even if the result of the RIDT is negative, without waiting for results of additional influenza testing.
Treatment: oseltamivir and zanamivir are chemically related antiviral medications known as neuraminidase inhibitors that have activity against both influenza A and B viruses. Early antiviral treatment can shorten the duration of fever and illness symptoms, may reduce the risk of complications and death, and may shorten the duration of hospitalization. Clinical benefit is greatest when antiviral treatment is administered early, especially within 48 hours of influenza illness onset. Decisions about starting antiviral treatment should not wait for laboratory confirmation of influenza.
Antiviral treatment is recommended as early as possible for any patient with confirmed or suspected influenza who
- is hospitalized,
- has severe, complicated, or progressive illness,
- is at higher risk for influenza complications.
Persons at higher risk for influenza complications recommended for antiviral treatment include:
- children aged younger than 2 years,
- adults aged 65 years and older,
- persons with chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension alone), renal, hepatic, or hematological disease (including sickle cell disease); metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus); or neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy [seizure disorders], stroke, intellectual disability [mental retardation], moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury),
- persons with immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV infection,
- women who are pregnant or postpartum (within 2 weeks after delivery),
- persons aged younger than 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
- American Indians/Alaska Natives.
- persons who are morbidly obese (that is, body-mass index is equal to or greater than 40).
- residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
Clinical judgment, on the basis of the patient's disease severity and progression, age, underlying medical conditions, likelihood of influenza, and time since onset of symptoms, is important when making antiviral treatment decisions for high-risk outpatients.
Additional details regarding antiviral treatment can be found at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm.
In Texas, influenza-associated pediatric mortality is required to be reported within one work day. Clusters or outbreaks of any disease, including influenza, should be reported immediately. Reports of influenza-associated pediatric mortality and influenza or influenza-like illness outbreak should be made to your local health department or to 1-800-705-8868.
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[The correspondent has added the following commentary in relation to the information above. "This outbreak now appears to involve an H1N1 virus. The vaccine inefficacy statement from the County health authorities press release highlights, coupled with the apparent unreliability of rapid diagnostic tests cited in media reports,
suggests to me that H1N1 virus circulating in Texas may be a new [more virulent ?] drifted or reasserted strain. The current Texas state flu bulletin for week of 7-14 Dec 2013 issued today (20 Dec 2013) does not seem to discuss this issue http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/influenza/surveillance/2014/."
It seems likely that the fatalities observed in Texas are due to a possibly more virulent strain of the seasonal H1N1 influenza virus, rather than a novel pathogenic agent. Further information is awaited to substantiate this conclusion. - Mod.CP]
