WHO chief urges swine flu vigilance

[Pathfinder]

WHO chief urges swine flu vigilanceBy: AFX | 16 Aug 2009 | 06:13 PM ET

By: AFX | 16 Aug 2009 | 06:13 PM ET Text Size By George Obulutsa DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 16 (Reuters) - The world must remain on its guard against H1N1 influenza, which has been mild so far but could become more serious as the northern hemisphere heads into winter, the head of the World Health Organisation said on Sunday. Margaret Chan, on a visit to Tanzania, noted that most people infected with swine flu had suffered only mild symptoms but it affected certain groups such as pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions much more severely. "Looking ahead in the weeks and months ahead, especially for countries in the northern hemisphere, when they will be going into the winter, we need to maintain our vigilance and see how the disease will evolve," Chan told reporters. The Geneva-based United Nations agency declared H1N1 a full pandemic in June. It has now spread to nearly 180 countries. In its latest update last week, the WHO said laboratory-confirmed deaths from the flu strain totalled at least 1,462. While the WHO says at least 177,000 people have caught the disease the real number is probably in the millions. Chan noted that many people in Africa already suffer from diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, or are undernourished, putting them in the vulnerable category. "These people would be at greater risk of getting severe disease," she said. Chan repeated the WHO's promise to ensure that developing countries receive supplies of vaccines against H1N1 when they are available, recalling that France's Sanofi-Aventis and Britain's GlaxoSmithKline had pledged to donate 150 million and 50 million doses respectively. But with the northern hemisphere heading into winter, the priority would be developing countries there, she said. She was talking on her arrival in Tanzania for a visit focusing on efforts to prevent malaria. (Editing by Jonathan Lynn in Geneva) (For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://af.reuters.com ) Keywords: FLU/TANZANIA (nairobi.newsroom@reuters.com; +254 20 2224717) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved.


full article at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/32440995

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: WHO chief urges swine flu vigilance

Since WHO reiterate their concerns on the cold in the Fall and the Winter I do have to land here.

As some of you know, the temperature in the upper states of US and East of BC in Canada last winter and sprin and summer have been the colder on record since almost two centuries.

There are enough datas now to admit a relation with no Sunspots with cold weather altough grain traders knew this for almost 4 centuries.

Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 36 days
2009 total: 178 days (78%)
Since 2004: 689 days

Typical Solar Minimum: 485 days
Updated 15 Aug 2009
http://spaceweather.com/

We should be imposed and earlier and cooler fall and winter.
Mainly in the Mid-West (high level of arsenic there) upper states of US and West of BC in Canada just has we have experienced last year.

If Solar3Temperature datas are right we can expect a longer and cooler Winter.

Snowy

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: WHO chief urges swine flu vigilance

Africa: Full Impact of H1N1 'Yet to Be Seen'

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the full impact of the swine flu outbreak in Africa has yet to be seen. The agency said this at a regional conference on the pandemic, earlier this week in Johannesburg.

"We are still learning about the severity of the 'Influenza A H1N1 2009 Pandemic'. The impact in African populations has yet to be seen. We, therefore, need more knowledge about the epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of the disease", said Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

The African Region was the last to experience the pandemic amongst the six WHO regions, and concerns are mounting about its potential effect.

"What is of particular concern to us as Africans is that, although the pandemic has spread to our continent last, we may be more severely affected by it ", said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

The concern is exacerbated by Africa's burden of disease.

"It is well known that this continent has always been worst affected by any outbreak of communicable diseases - whether it is HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, one or more of the haemorragic fevers. It is, therefore, essential for all countries within the continent to ensure that we are adequately prepared for all of these, but in the present context prepared to deal with the Influenza Pandemic", said Dr Motsoaledi.

Dr Sambo told the gathering that this influenza pandemic is "a new global public health issue of great concern", adding that, "efforts involving the WHO are mainly focused on mitigation of the effects of the pandemic through increased public awareness, preventative measures, case management, multi-sectoral response and global solidarity".

The South African Health Minister remains optimistic that Africa will be able to deal with the pandemic as it unfolds.

"What is of advantage for us is that we can learn from the experiences of others. Their experiences have shown that containing the virus is not possible and that resources are best spent on mitigating its effect on the community", said Dr Motsoaledi.


The WHO said that South Africa accounts for a higher number of reported cases in Africa. But it cautioned that the actual number, including unreported cases, may be higher in other African countries.

"South Africa represents about 80 percent of reported cases. We believe that the situation may be more serious. The trend is on the increase in Africa.

South Africa is amongst the countries with better facilities, including laboratories for diagnostics. This may also be one of the reasons why we have more cases reported from South Africa", said Dr Sambo.

The WHO and the Department appealed to the public to help in managing the pandemic, by practicing basic hygiene, which includes good etiquette when coughing or sneezing and regular washing of hands.