Swine Flu Could Wreak More Havoc On US Economy, Says Economist

ScienceDaily (2009-09-25) -- H1N1 influenza could slow growth in key industries and stall already-weak GDP growth in the third and fourth quarters of 2009, says one health economist. ... > read full article

Clinical Trials To Test 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Candidates Set

ScienceDaily (2009-07-22) -- Scientists in a network of medical research institutions across the United States are set to begin a series of clinical trials to gather critical data about influenza vaccines, including two candidate H1N1 flu vaccines. ... > read full article

First Wave Of Swine Flu Hit Young People Harder Than Expected

ScienceDaily (2009-07-05) -- A mathematical epidemiologist is researching the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic strain circulating around the world. The new study's findings reveal an age shift in the proportion of cases toward a younger population when compared with historical patterns of seasonal influenza in Mexico. "For the 1918 ("Spanish flu") influenza pandemic, this was the pattern -- first a mild wave, and then a severe one with higher case fatality rates," notes one of the researchers. ... > read full article

First Wave Of Swine Flu Hit Young People Harder Than Expected

ScienceDaily (2009-06-29) -- A mathematical epidemiologist is researching the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic strain circulating around the world. The new study's findings reveal an age shift in the proportion of cases toward a younger population when compared with historical patterns of seasonal influenza in Mexico. "For the 1918 ("Spanish flu") influenza pandemic, this was the pattern – first a mild wave, and then a severe one with higher case fatality rates," notes one of the researchers. ... > read full article

Vaccinating Children May Be Effective At Helping Control Spread Of Influenza

ScienceDaily (2009-06-19) -- Targeting children may be an effective use of limited supplies of flu vaccine, according to new research. The study suggests that, used to support other control measures, this could help control the spread of pandemics such as the current swine flu. ... > read full article

UK Tops The List Of 213 Countries At Extreme Risk To The Spread Of Swine Flu

UK Tops The List Of 213 Countries At Extreme Risk To The Spread Of Swine Flu

ScienceDaily (2009-06-17) -- A Warwick Business School professor and one of the founders of global risks specialist, Maplecroft, has released maps and indices revealing the countries most at risk from an influenza pandemic. The map of Risk of Spread shows the UK most at risk to the spread of an influenza pandemic. ... > read full article

WHO declares pandemic of novel H1N1 virus

(CIDRAP News)

After delaying action for weeks as the novel H1N1 influenza virus took hold in far-flung parts of the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) today declared a full-fledged pandemic, formally recognizing that the virus is becoming a global contagion.
WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan announced the long-expected move to pandemic alert phase 6, meaning that the virus has caused sustained community outbreaks in more than one global region. The move comes amid growing signs of community transmission in Australia, Chile, and the United Kingdom—far from the epidemic's birthplace in Mexico and the United States.

WHO may redefine pandemic alert phases

(CIDRAP)

In response to concerns from various governments about the possible effects of declaring a full-scale influenza pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) will call on outside experts to consider whether to revise the agency's definitions of pandemic alert phases, a WHO official announced today.
The spread of the novel H1N1 flu virus in Mexico, the United States, and Canada prompted the WHO to raise its pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5 on Apr 29. Despite signs of possible community-level transmission in other parts of the world, such as Japan and Spain, the WHO has not raised the alert to phase 6, defined as sustained community transmission in more than one global region.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You

(CDC)

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus.

New Influenza A ( H1N1 )

Current Situation
(WHO)

13 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 13 May 2009, 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Mexico has reported 2059 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 56 deaths. The United States has reported 3009 laboratory confirmed human cases, including three deaths. Canada has reported 358 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

SWINE FLU BREAKING NEWS

SWINE FLU BREAKING NEWS 2: New case count, attack rate, patients' travel history, public awareness, product scams, treatment insurance
(CIDRAP News)

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 365 cases of swine influenza H1N1 in 11 countries as of 7 pm. GMT (1 p.m. US ET) today, up from 331 cases reported earlier in the day. The case numbers by country are United States, 141 (1 death); Mexico, 156 (9 deaths), Canada, 34; Spain, 13; United Kingdom, 8; New Zealand, 3; Germany, 3; Israel, 2; and 1 each in Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and China (Hong Kong). [WHO update 8]
Preliminary data from cases in the United States show a swine flu virus attack rate in the 25% to 30% range, which is consistent with seasonal influenza, Anne Schuchat, MD, interim deputy director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) science and public health program, said at a media briefing today. The attack rate is the proportion of people exposed to a pathogen who actually get sick.

Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan

Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan
29 April 2009
(WHO)

Swine influenza

Ladies and gentlemen,

Based on assessment of all available information, and following several expert consultations, I have decided to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5.
Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world
On the positive side, the world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history.
Preparedness measures undertaken because of the threat from H5N1 avian influenza were an investment, and we are now benefitting from this investment.

WHO raises pandemic alert to phase 4 [update 7:15 p.m.CST]

WHO raises pandemic alert to phase 4 [updated 7:15 p.m.CST]
(CIDRAP News)
Robert Roos * News Editor

Editor's note: Includes two new sections, on phase change considerations and on possible impact.

Apr 27, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) today raised its official pandemic alert level from the current phase 3 to phase 4 on its 6-phase scale, saying the newly identified swine influenza virus has made a pandemic more likely but not inevitable.
"We think we have taken a step in that [pandemic] direction, but a pandemic is not considered inevitable at this time," said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, the WHO's assistant director-general for health security and environment, at a press conference from Geneva.