Epidemics

Weekly update

22 January 2010 -- As of 17 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14142 deaths.

WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.
Situation update:    » read more »

Weekly update

15 January 2010 -- As of 10 January 2010, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 13554 deaths.

WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.
Situation update:

The most intense areas of pandemic influenza virus transmission currently are in parts of North Africa, South Asia, and east and southeastern Europe.    » read more »

National, state, and local events will encourage more Americans to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 flu

January 8, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a nationwide effort to encourage more Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine during National Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10–16, 2010.

“This is a challenging flu season for millions of Americans and their families, and it’s not over yet,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to prevent the flu. We urge all Americans to protect themselves and their families by getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.”    » read more »

More Than 900,000 doses of vaccine have been shipped to state

December 16, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the state has now received enough H1N1 vaccine to make it available to anyone in Connecticut who would like to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.

More than 900,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been distributed in Connecticut to doctors, local health departments and other providers who pre-registered with the Department of Public Health. High priority groups, such as pregnant women, young children, medical personnel and first responders, received the vaccine first.    » read more »

December 15, 2009 -- After learning that 800,000 H1N1 vaccines for children have been recalled, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) wrote to the manufacturer of the vaccines, Sanofi-Aventis, demanding answers on how this happened and what the manufacturer is doing to replace the recalled doses and meet demand for children’s vaccines. Dodd also intends to write to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to get answers on how this recall will impact Connecticut families.    » read more »

First prequalification for an H1N1 pandemic vaccine

December 1, 2009, London UK -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification for global use of Arepanrix™, GSK’s adjuvanted H1N1 pandemic vaccine manufactured in Canada. This is the first prequalification for an H1N1 pandemic vaccine, and is a key step in ensuring the vaccine can be distributed to developing countries.

The WHO prequalification project is a service provided by the WHO to facilitate access to medicines that meet unified standards of quality and safety.    » read more »

November 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is warning consumers to beware of unscrupulous vendors who may market ineffective and unregistered products or services that claim to disinfect surfaces or entire rooms against the H1N1 influenza virus. In the current flu-conscious climate, heightened anxiety about the spread of the H1N1 virus has bred false claims in the marketplace.

“Unfortunately some vendors may try to take advantage of people’s fears at a time like this and market products that aren’t effective or make unsubstantiated claims,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. “Americans need to be aware of what they may be buying.”    » read more »

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State -- Eisenhower Executive Office Building -- Washington, DC -- November 30, 2009 -- As Valerie Jarrett leaves, I want to thank her for her leadership on this and so many issues here in the White House and in the Administration, and for her personal testimony as to the importance of this issue for her, for President Obama, for all of us.    » read more »

Free Medications Targeted to Uninsured, Underinsured

November 30, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State, in partnership with pharmacies, is making antiviral medications available to New Yorkers who need the medications to combat the H1N1 flu but lack prescription health insurance or the ability to pay.    » read more »

Franken an Original Co-Sponsor of Legislation Introduced by Sen. Dodd

Washington, D.C. -- Nov 18, 2009 – U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) is an original co-sponsor of legislation authored by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) to guarantee up to seven days of paid sick leave for workers infected by the H1N1 virus.

“Minnesota families need to know they can do what’s best to keep themselves and others healthy,” said Sen. Franken. “We know that staying home is the best way to combat the spread of the H1N1 virus. And in this tough economy, we know folks can’t get by without a paycheck. This legislation will make sure that Minnesotans can take care of themselves, or stay home to take care of their kids, without sacrificing their ability to make ends meet.”    » read more »

Brown Joined by Ohio Dept. of Health Director to Give Update on H1N1 in Ohio, Release County-by-County Report on Vaccine Distribution

November 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a news briefing on H1N1 influenza and the federal response. They were joined by Dr. Alvin D. Jackson, Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

"We can never be too prepared for the spread of the H1N1 virus," Brown said. "In order to combat this quickly-spreading virus, we need to continue close coordination between state and federal governments. Preventing the spread of H1N1 and keeping Ohioans safe is our top priority."    » read more »

Zogby Interactive Survey Finds Concern Over Vaccine Safety Cited As Top Reason

Utica, NY - As the H1N1 swine flu vaccine becomes increasingly available, 46% of adults who are considered by the CDC to be members of high priority groups plan to ignore the CDC's recommendation for vaccination. The Zogby International interactive survey also finds that the top reasons high risk adults plan to skip the vaccine include concern over the safety of the vaccine (38%) and a general sense that they simply do not need the vaccine (32%).    » read more »

Bill Will Guarantee Up to Seven Days of Paid Sick Leave for Workers Infected By the H1N1 Virus

November 17, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) today will introduce emergency legislation that will guarantee paid sick days for those who are infected by the H1N1 virus. Last week, Dodd chaired, and Congresswoman DeLauro testified at, a hearing of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families in response to the H1N1 pandemic.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- The current pandemic of H1N1 influenza highlights vulnerabilities in the world’s plans for dealing with widespread health emergencies, but also offers opportunities to better prepare for more deadly epidemics that will surely arise in the future, experts said at a recent symposium held in New York City.

The 16 October meeting, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations and the journal Science, brought together experts on science, economics, public health and foreign relations to assess the impact of the flu pandemic and future implications.    » read more »

US interim data show lower doses of antigen may suffice to generate a protective immune response against A(H1N1)

Basel, November 17, 2009 - Novartis announced today new interim data from ongoing clinical trials demonstrating that a single 7.5µg dose of the company's influenza A(H1N1) 2009 unadjuvanted vaccine, half of the currently-approved US dose, fulfilled immune response criteria associated with protection in adults and the elderly (>=65 years of age).    » read more »