Camping UA Blog

3.67 (3 votes)

On Monday, the Well being Ministries of Israel and Saudi Arabia reported their countries’ first deaths from H1N1 swine influenza.

The Israeli Wellness Ministry confirmed that a 35-year old man, Shimon Azran, was infected with the novel H1N1 virus when he died, but did not confirm whether the virus had caused his death, reported Israel’s daily newspaper Haaretz. Azran was admitted to hospital in Eilat after experiencing symptoms of pneumonia. Tests performed right after his death confirmed the presence of H1N1 in his body.

The Saudi Arabian Wellness Ministry said that a 30-year old male Saudi citizen died of swine flu on Saturday, based on Arab media group Al Bawaba. The man was admitted to hospital with symptoms that included coughing, high fever, and difficulty breathing. He was given Tamiflu but his condition got worse.

These two deaths bring the total of deaths to swine flu within the Middle East to three. The first reported death within the region was of a 25-year old woman who died in Egypt right after returning from a pilgrimage to Umrah in Saudi Arabia. She died in hospital on 18 July after testing positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus, said the Egyptian Well being Ministry. Her symptoms on admission were “rheumatic fever, lack of oxygen within the blood and a stroke” stated a MENA news agency report.

According to Israel’s wellness ministry, there have now been more than 1,300 confirmed cases of H1N1 swine flu in Israel.

A two-year old from Bnei Brak who died on Sunday following being hospitalized with symptoms of pneumonia has since been confirmed as not being infected with H1N1. This followed news of two new cases of swine flu in Israel last Wednesday, a 50-year old man and a 13-year old girl, each of whom are in hospital.

Meanwhile four other swine flu patients in hospital in Israel, including a female tourist from Sweden, and a mother who has recently given birth, are stated to be improving.

Saudi Arabia has reported 294 confirmed cases of swine flu, more than any other Arab country.

Health ministers are planning to ban children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses from this year’s annual Haj pilgrimage. At least 2 million people attended the last event, which this year falls in November.

On 16 July, the World Well being Organization (WHO) announced that it would stop issuing updates on pandemic H1N1 cases and deaths around the world because the virus was so widespread, and in fact had spread in 6 weeks as widely as previous pandemics had spread in 6 months.

The global agency also stated on the 24th of July that many countries exactly where the virus has spread widely have moved to testing only samples of people who are ill, and have moved from counting individual cases to watching trends.

But the WHO said it would still report on swine flu cases and deaths in newly affected countries.

– WHO

Sources: Arab News, Al Bawaba, BBC, Haaretz, Irin News, WHO.

Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD

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Copyright: Medical News Today
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The Residence of Lords Science and Technology Committee will next week publish a short report on UK preparedness and pandemic influenza.

The report follows a short inquiry which began in November 2008. It was initially intended as a follow-up to the Committee’s 2005 report on pandemic flu when H5N1 or avian flu was thought to pose the greatest risk to public well being. With the spread of the H1N1 virus or swine flu, the Committee shifted its focus to the Government’s response towards the present outbreak and considers emerging issues inside the light of this test of UK preparedness.

The report will likely be published at 10:00am on Tuesday 28 July.

Hard copies of the report:

* Can be collected by journalists* from the reception of 2 Millbank House, Residence of Lords, London, SW1P 3LX from 10:00 on Tuesday 28 July

* Is going to be available in the Parliamentary Press Gallery from 10:00 on Tuesday 28 July.

Source
The Property of Lords Science

The NPHS influenza surveillance scheme, which records reports of diagnoses of flufrom more than 300 GP practices across Wales, shows increasing levels of influenza activity across Wales. Further detail can be found on the NPHS website: see here.

The report from 21 July estimates there had been 102.5 cases of a flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Wales – this is the equivalent of 3,075 people in Wales contacting their GPs in the last seven days with flu like symptoms. Not all of these people will have swine flu and not everyone with flu like symptoms will contact their GP. It is expected that the proportion of influenza cases diagnosed that are due to swine flu will increase as the virus spreads in Wales.

The report also shows levels of influenza activity in each county of Wales. On 21 July, the rate of diagnosis of flu-like illness at a local level ranged from 46.5 per 100,000 people in Anglesey, to 191.2 per 100,000 people in the Vale of Glamorgan.

GPs are no longer being asked to swab people they suspect could have swine flu. Microbiology laboratories are therefore no longer testing mostpeople suspected of having swine flu.

There have been 78 laboratory confirmed cases in Wales with one new case: A 39 year old male from Cardiff. He has been admitted to hospital, offered antivirals and is recovering..

Of the laboratory confirmed cases, a total of 17 people with swine flu have been hospitalised in Wales, 15 of whom have been discharged. No further details is going to be confirmed or denied about cases in order to protect their right to confidentiality.

The rates of GP consultations for flu-like illness across the UK are:

102.5 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs within the previous seven days out of every 100,000 people in Wales (as of 21 July) 25 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Scotland (for the week ending 15 July) 86.8 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs in the previous seven days out of every 100,000 people in England (for the week ending 12 July) 34.9 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Northern Ireland (for the week ending 10 July) 31 people inside the UK with swine flu have died – 28 in England and 3 in Scotland. The majority had underlying wellness conditions.

There has been a total of 713 people hospitalised with swine flu – 652 in England, 44 in Scotland and 17 in Wales.

Swine flu cases have been confirmed in 135 countries. For the latest international figures for the spread of swine flu, visit the website of the World Wellness Organization at www.who.int Comment from the National Public Health Service for Wales

Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Wellness Service for Wales, stated:

“The rise in numbers of people contacting their GP with flu like symptoms illustrates the spread of the disease across Wales. Not everyone however who has contacted their GP with flu like symptoms will have swine flu and not everyone with swine flu contacts their GP so it is difficult to accurately record the spread of the virus across Wales.

“Over the last three months we have learnt that, in the majority of cases it is mild although proving severe for a small minority. Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalisation or medical care.

“As the disease becomes more widespread within the UK we have changed our approach to focus on treatment, emphasising those people most at risk – people more likely to develop serious illness or complications. These are, particularly, the groups that we encourage to get vaccinated each winter, because they areat risk from seasonal influenza, together with pregnant women and children below 5.

“We advise people to practice good respiratory and hand hygiene to reduce the chance of catching or spreading the virus. If people think they may possibly have flu and want to check their symptoms they can call the Swine Flu Details Line on 0800 1 513 513. If they are still concerned they should contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647.

“People ought to not go to Accident and Emergency Departments or to their GP surgery as this might risk spreading the infection. It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.”

Public wellness advice and messages

If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home. You can check your symptoms by calling the Swine Flu Details Line on 0800 1 513 513. If you are still concerned, contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647. Do not go into your GP surgery or Accident and Emergency department unless you are advised to do so or are seriously ill, as you may spread the illness to others.

Further data including health advice can be found at http://www.wales.gov.uk, http://www.nphs.wales.nhs.uk and http://www.hpa.org.uk. You can also call the Swine Flu Info line on 0800 1 513 513 for recorded information, or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for health advice. It is always good practice to follow respiratory and hand hygiene like:

Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.

Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.

Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
Helping your children follow this advice.

Facemasks

Although we’re aware that facemasks had been being given out to the public in Mexico, the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities. We are, however, reviewing NHS supplies and stockpiles of facemasks for healthcare workers who are likely to come into regular contact with people who may possibly have symptoms. The UK will receive an additional 227 million surgical facemasks and 34 million respirators. Wales will receive its proportionate share.

Control measures

Agreements have been signed between the UK Government and vaccine manufacturers to secure enough vaccine for the whole population. The first batches are expected in August with around 60 million doses by the finish of the year – enough for 30 million people to be vaccinated – with more following soon after that. The European Medicines Agency has strict processes in location for licensing pandemic vaccines. In preparing for a pandemic, appropriate trials to assess the safety and the immune responses have been carried out on vaccines very similar to the swine flu vaccine.

The Welsh Assembly Government’s Health Emergency Preparedness Unit has issued guidance to Local Well being Boards on anti-viral distribution. The unit is co-ordinating work on identifying appropriate collection points and the necessary arrangements to support this method.

Features of the outbreak

Based on assessment of all available data and following several expert consultations, the World Well being Organization (WHO) declared the level of influenza pandemic alert at phase six on 11 June 2009.

Phase six indicates there is human-to-human spread of the virus in at least two countries in one World Wellness Organization region, with community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region.

On 2 July the four UK nations agreed to move towards the therapy phase in their response towards the pandemic – treating people most at risk. Contact tracing and the use of antivirals preventively have been ended. GPs will now supply clinical diagnosis of swine flu cases rather than awaiting laboratory test results.

Further well being details for the public on swine flu is available bilingually from http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk

Further public well being details on swine flu and Pandemic Flu is available bilingually from http://www.nphs.wales.nhs.uk

Further data from the Welsh Assembly Government response is available bilingually at http://www.wales.gov.uk

Source
Welsh Assembly Government

2 (1 votes)

The International Swine Flu Conference will occur in Washington, DC on August 19-20 to be followed by all day hands-on workshops. New Fields officials announced today. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington DC on Capitol Hill, August 19-20 and the workshop on the 21st.

The ongoing Swine Flu pandemic proved that now more than ever wellness, education, government, non-profit organizations, and business executives need to discuss and share best practices and lessons learned during this ongoing first pandemic within the age of globalization and prepare for the possibility of a more sever outbreak of H1N1 flu this fall.

With delegates from Tribal, local, state, federal and 32 countries already confirmed, the ISFC will supply a platform for public wellness officials and community stakeholders to come together, to network and exchange preparedness and response efforts. Special emphasis will be placed on identifying the responsibilities of various stakeholders in order to improve global communication coordination and collaboration.

“ISFC present a clear, easy-to-remember overview of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery,” stated Ahmed Farajallah, vice president, events and conferences, New Fields. “Enough listening. The rest is hands-on experience.”

To further prepare for possibility of more sever swine flu outbreak, each day of the conference will offer papers on a wide range of topics including:

-Preparing Community Strategies
-Local Partnership and Participation
-Delivery of Vaccine and Antiviral Medication
-Emergency Response and Hospital/Healthcare Coordination
-Prevention Education Efforts and Risk Communication
-Command, Control and Management
-Business Community’s Role

Over 20 breakout sessions will be offered addressing a wide range of issues, including:

-Breakout 1. Mass Fatality Management Planning
-Breakout 2. Business Continuity Planning
-Breakout 3. Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government Planning
-Breakout four. Emergency Management Services
-Breakout 5. Law Enforcement Agencies
-Breakout 6. First Responders: Fire Department
-Breakout 7. First Responders: Public Works
-Breakout 8. 911 Call Center Services
-Breakout 9. Hospital and Emergency Medical Services
-Breakout 10. Workplace-based Planning
-Breakout 11. Community-Based Planning
-Breakout 12. School/University Planning
-Breakout 13. Airlines, Travel, Airport, Quarantine and Border Wellness Services

-Breakout 14. Infectious Medical Waste

And many morea

4 (1 votes)

CSL Biotherapies, a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading manufacturers of thimerosal-free seasonal influenza vaccine, announced that it has begun shipment of its seasonal influenza virus vaccine to a national network of U.S. distributors for the 2009-2010 season. CSL Biotherapies plans to deliver more than eight million doses of the vaccine, the majority of which will likely be in single-dose, thimerosal-free, pre-filled syringes.

CSL Biotherapies’ seasonal flu vaccine is indicated for the active immunization of persons age 18 years and older against influenza disease (commonly referred to as the “flu”) caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B present within the vaccine.

“CSL Biotherapies’ early delivery of seasonal influenza vaccine to the U.S. clearly demonstrates our ability to quickly optimize vaccine production in order to meet evolving public wellness needs,” stated Paul Perreault, President of CSL Biotherapies. “Working with the U.S. government, we are also moving quickly to develop a vaccine to address the H1N1 pandemic. Together, these efforts illustrate the expertise in influenza vaccine development and manufacturing that CSL has so successfully accumulated over the past 40 years.”

CSL Limited, the parent company of CSL Biotherapies, is the first vaccine manufacturer to initiate human clinical trials of the H1N1 influenza vaccine. First administration in healthy volunteers of CSL’s experimental H1N1 pandemic vaccine began on July 22 , 2009 in Australia. U.S. clinical studies are expected to commence in mid-August.

Source
CSL Biotherapies

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3.5 (2 votes)

In today’s wellness environment, harmful cold and flu strains can travel the globe and pose serious risk to young children. And, at the same time, the FDA has issued warnings about administering over-the-counter cough and cold medications to children below the age of four. Parents of young children are in a quandary as to how to keep their kids safe and healthy. Many are embracing preventative measures to improve their child’s immune system and ward off illness.

HOWARU((R)) Protect, a probiotic formulation from Danisco, provides a safe and effective means to enhance the body’s natural defenses and has been clinically shown to reduce the incidence and severity of cold and flu symptoms in children.

A recent study entitled “Probiotic Effects on Cold and Influenza-Like Symptom Incidence and Duration in Children”, sponsored by Danisco and published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, demonstrates the benefits of the HOWARU((R)) Protect probiotic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM((R)) and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 in maintaining immune well being in children.

For six months, 326 children, aged 3 to 5, were given supplements twice a day. One group received a single strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM((R)). One group received a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM((R)) and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07. The third group received a placebo.

When compared towards the placebo group, the groups that received the single and combination probiotic supplements reduced their fever incidence by 53% and 72.7% respectively. Their coughing was reduced by 41.4% and 62.1% and their runny noses were lessened by 28.2% and 58.5%. The duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms had been also significantly reduced in the children receiving the probiotics. Because of their enhanced natural defenses, these children had less need for prescription antibiotics and missed fewer days of childcare.

HOWARU((R)) Protect can be delivered via capsules, powder sachets and chewable tablets, and as an ingredient in dairy applications.

Let us help you maintain your customers’ immune well being. Danisco innovation specialists are ready to assist you with your distinct formulation.

About Danisco

With a rich and innovative portfolio, Danisco is a world leader in food ingredients, enzymes and bio-based solutions. Using nature’s own materials, science and the knowledge of our 7,000 people, we design and deliver bio-based ingredients that meet market demand for healthier and safer products. Danisco’s ingredients are used globally in a wide range of industries – from bakery, dairy and beverages to animal feed, laundry detergents and bioethanol – to enable functional, economic and sustainable solutions. Danisco operates from sales, production and innovation sites in more than 40 countries.

As part of Danisco, BioActives is dedicated to delivering innovative ingredients for taste, texture, food safety, human wellness and nutrition. The BioActives offer includes probiotics, prebiotics, sweeteners, cultures and natural extracts. BioActives focuses on offering unique, science-based benefits, affordable cost in use and best-in-class service. To this effect, BioActives has recently entered multiple partnership agreements for highly-documented, health-promoting ingredients.

Source: Danisco

four.2 (5 votes)four (2 votes)

Cannabis Science Inc. (OTCBB: CBIS), an emerging pharmaceutical cannabis company, is pleased to report that the FDA has provided the Company with documentation to assist the Company to review and plan its initial applications to get its first drug into formal testing.

Cannabis Science, Inc. President & CEO Dr. Robert Melamede stated, “After speaking directly with the FDA discussing our products and initiatives I was pleasantly surprised with the hands on approach they have with helping us map our path to get our products into testing. We have a ways to go, but I am very optimistic that we have an opportunity to have more than one product in testing and trials at the same time. We have an exciting new initiative we plan to announce shortly and I would like to thank our current and future shareholders for helping to make this happen.”

Cannabis Science H1N1 Swine Flu Formulation

We now know that the endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in maintaining human wellness. The human body produces Endocannabinoids on demand when they are needed. They help restore homeostasis (biochemical balance). The Cannabis plant produces Phytocannabinoids. When the human body has endocannabinoid deficiencies, it cannot effectively restore the healthy biochemical state needed to counter a particular illness. Phytocannabinoids from the Cannabis plant can replace the deficient endocannabinoid activity inside the human body to restore a health-promoting level of cannabinoid activity. Cannabis Science will test its cannabis extract lozenge with FDA guidance and oversight to determine if it will reduce ARDS-associated deaths from each the Avian and Swine influenza infections.

H1N1 Swine Flu

According towards the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/) the Avian flu (H5N1) has a 63% mortality rate. Unfortunately, the Swine flu, while causing death at a much lower rate than the Avian flu, appears to also result in death via a similar mechanism. The common cause of death with these strains is organ failure, especially as seen within the lungs with the development of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is caused by an excess immune-generated inflammatory response that leads to apoptosis (cell death) and subsequently to organ failure. The Company’s approach will mimic how the human body uses endocannabinoids (cannabinoids that occur naturally in the body) to regulate immune activity and cell survival, by regulating inflammatory biochemistry. Excessive inflammatory responses are associated with numerous disease states including autoimmune diseases, neurological imbalances, and cardiovascular disease. Phytocannabinoids offer a natural means to supplement illness-specific endocannabinoid deficiencies.

Source
Cannabis Science, Inc.

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Over 50 pharmacists have been trained to give seasonal flu vaccinations under a private Patient Group Direction that the NPA is facilitating. Training days were conducted in London and Birmingham with further training days scheduled at the start of September 2009 in Newport, Durham, St Albans and Haydock.

Raj Nutan, NPA Head of Business Development said: “Members were telling us that the burden of regulation was frustrating them if they wished to supply prescription medicines via private patient group directions. So we have embarked on developing a series of PGD opportunities that will supply them with a means of clearing the regulatory hurdle effortlessly. A bonus for NPA members is that they won’t need additional insurance – NPA Insurance already covers the pharmacist for delivering this NPA service.

Nitin Shah, Fulham Pharmacy, London said: “There has always been a scope for a pharmacy based flu vaccination service especially when the NHS only provides for over 65 and at risk groups only. From business economics ??

four.83 (6 votes)4 (1 votes)

Biotech firm Replikins Ltd. released its analysis of the June and July genomic data that predicts the rates of infectivity and lethality of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. The quantitative analysis shows continued elevated levels in the Replikin Counts* of both Infectivity and Lethality genes, which indicate that the end of the present outbreak is not however in sight.

“The H1N1 virus continues to be elevated in its lethality and infectivity based on our most recent data,” explained Samuel Bogoch MD PhD, chairman of Replikins Ltd. “Compared to the SARS outbreak in 2003, where that virus’s Replikin Count quickly decreased shortly right after the outbreak, followed swiftly by clinical abatement, the Swine Flu doesn’t show any sign of easing off.”

The present H1N1 outbreak in early 2009 was predicted by the company’s FluForecast? software in April 2008, when the Replikin Count reached 7 — the same level achieved during the H1N1 1918 Pandemic. (See Figure). Even though most expected a summer pause, the Replikins Infectivity Gene data published in late May possibly 2009 indicated that no respite was to be expected. Since then, the global spread of the virus has been so rapid that each the WHO and the CDC last week announced they have stopped counting cases.

Specifically, the Replikin Count of the H1N1 Infectivity Gene, doubled from 2002 to 2008, increased an additional 43% in the first few months of 2009, and maintained that elevated level from Could into July, even though the Lethality Replikin Count, up 65% from May possibly to June, remains elevated in July but at a slightly lower level — still 40% above that of May possibly. Changes in Replikin Count have been shown to precede the clinical reality by six to 12 months in all other influenza outbreaks of record.

FluForecast? is the first data-driven service to assess the risks posed by all strains of influenza virus wherever genome sequence information is available. It demonstrated that all influenza pandemics and epidemics, and their cessation, over the last 90 years have been associated with statistically significant changes within the concentration (Replikin Count) of a particular group of genomic peptides of the virus associated with rapid replication (Replikins). It is the first and only such quantitative correlation of influenza epidemics with a virus’s structure.

“The technology now exists to tackle one of the most vexing problems facing virologists and public health officials: how to correctly predict if, when, and where a particular strain of influenza virus will break out,” added Dr. Bogoch. “We now have proprietary software that can analyze vast quantities of publicly available genomic data, specifically for the dynamics of rapid replication, which has led towards the development of this new and unique tool for predicting these global health threats. Advance strain-specific warning permits time to respond with public well being containment measures and for the development of ‘tailor-made’ vaccines.”

This month, Replikins, Ltd. was contacted by and reached out to senior government wellness officials in dozens of countries to offer the FluForecast? service. Many plan to introduce the service to their public wellness surveillance programs each for early warning and for tracking epidemics.

Source
Replikins Companies

The House of Lords Science and Technologies Committee has published it follow-up report on Pandemic Influenza. The follow-up inquiry, which was begun in November 2008 ahead of the emergence of swine flu, has evolved inside the course of the inquiry as the new threat of the H1N1 has turn out to be apparent.

Although the report praises the Government’s actions in stockpiling antivirals for example Tamiflu and entering into advance buy agreements for pandemic certain vaccines. The Committee criticise other elements of the Government’s preparations for the swine flu pandemic. Some of the criticisms the Committee make consist of:

* The Committee want clarity on how intensive and essential care facilities could be expected to perform in a pandemic and exactly where there are weaknesses in essential care provision which should be addressed.

* The Committee have ‘significant concerns’ concerning the delay within the operation of the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) and ask the Government to explain this delay. They also seek assurances that the service is going to be in a position to meet anticipated demand and be fully operational by autumn to meet the challenges of the anticipated ‘second wave’ of swine flu.

* The Committee are disappointed the process of ‘whole system’ testing (examining how the full range of health services could react in a pandemic) was not carried our earlier.

* The Committee ask the Government to clarify what interim services are in place until the ‘enhanced’ NPFS comes on-stream and to make clear how the service will interact with NHS Direct.

* The report calls on the Government to clarify how they will ensure NHS staff are supported in providing services that may possibly be outside their locations of expertise and if they will be protected from legal action when they supply this treatment. The Committee also want better guidance on ethical choices on who could have access to limited flu treatments/vaccines.

Commenting Lord Sutherland, Chairman of the House of Lords Science and Technologies Committee, said:

“While the Government have got some points correct in preparing for a flu pandemic, like the stockpiling of antivirals, there are other locations where we seem to be under prepared.

“We are particularly concerned that the ‘enhanced’ NPFS or ‘flu line’ is not totally operational and there seems to be a lack of clarity about how the ‘interim’ flu line will interact with NHS Direct.

“We had been surprised and disappointed that the Government had not undertaken ‘whole system’ testing of well being services preparations for a flu pandemic before swine flu emerged.”

Source
House of Lords

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