After the first several weeks of uncertainty, most of the news about the 2009 H1N1 "swine flu" pandemic has been reassuring, according to the Harvard Health Letter, December, 2009 edition.
Every winter, millions of people catch influenza — a viral infection of the airways—and about half a million people die as a result. In the U.S. alone, an average of 36,000 people are thought to die from influenza-related causes every year.
Through November, 2009, approximately 99% of typed influenza viruses have been 2009 H1N1. The vast majority of 2009 H1N1 viruses tested for drug resistance have been susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir but resistant to the adamantanes (amantadine, rimantadine). Surveillance data, updated weekly, are available at www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly These recommendations will be revised as needed to adapt to new information on risk factors, antiviral availability and resistance, or the circulation of other influenza viruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a method to provide an estimated range of the total number of 2009 H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the United States by age group using data on flu associated hospitalizations collected through CDC’s Emerging Infections Program. On November 12, 2009 CDC provided the first estimates for April through October 17, 2009 and committed to updating those estimates approximately monthly.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved a fifth vaccine for protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccine is manufactured by ID Biomedical Corp. of Quebec, Canada, owned by GlaxoSmithKline PLC.
U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has criticized the federal government's preparation and response to the H1N1 virus, saying vaccine production and distribution cannot continue to fall short of the public's need.
A new study shows that molecular similarities exist between the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and other strains of seasonal H1N1 virus that have been circulating in the population since 1988. These results suggest that healthy adults may have a level of protective immune memory that can blunt the severity of infection caused by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one worker sick with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus will infect one in 10 co-workers if he or she goes to work while infected with the virus, according to a recent post on the AFL-CIO’s blog.
OSHA has issued a compliance directive to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus.
During week 45 (November 8-14, 2009) of the 2009-2010 influenza season, influenza activity decreased slightly in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
OSHA announced in a recent press release that it will soon issue a compliance directive to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus.
Although their appearance is often similar, respirators are designed and engineered for distinctly different functions than surgical masks. The amount of exposure reduction offered by respirators and surgical masks differs.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of a NIOSH-certified N-95 or better respirator for the protection of healthcare workers who come in direct contact with patients with H1N1.
Two different influenza vaccines are available this influenza season, and many people will be recommended to receive both the seasonal influenza vaccine and the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine (referred to in this document as 2009 H1N1 vaccine).
Below are some practical considerations for use of influenza vaccines. They are only intended to address the current pandemic situation and might change as the situation unfolds. They are not intended to be applied to routine use during future seasonal influenza vaccination efforts.
On September 22, 2009, CDC advised healthcare professionals that the oral dosing dispenser provided with Tamiflu® Oral Suspension is marked with 30 mg, 45 mg, and 60 mg graduations, rather than graduations in milliliters (mL) or teaspoons (tsp). There have been cases where the units of measure on the prescription dosing instructions (mL, tsp) do not match the units on the dosing device (mg), which can lead to patient or caregiver confusion and dosing errors.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for children ages 3 years to 17 years. Previously, this vaccine, which contains inactivated (killed) influenza A and B viruses, had been approved for use in adults, ages 18 years and older.
