WHO raises flu threat level:
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.
Read on
Swineflu (H1N1) updates as they appear
WHO ALERT LEVELS
In Phase 1 no viruses among animals reported to have caused infections in humans.
In Phase 2 animal flu virus is known to have caused infection in humans and is potential pandemic threat.
In Phase 3, animal or human-animal flu virus has caused small number of cases in people, but not sufficient for community-level outbreaks.
Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of animal or human-animal flu virus, indicating greater but not inevitable risk of pandemic.
Phase 5 means human-to-human spread of virus is confirmed in two countries in one WHO region and pandemic is feared imminent.
Phase 6 characterized by community-level outbreaks in at least one other country in second WHO region. This phase indicates global pandemic is under way.
In Phase 1 no viruses among animals reported to have caused infections in humans.
In Phase 2 animal flu virus is known to have caused infection in humans and is potential pandemic threat.
In Phase 3, animal or human-animal flu virus has caused small number of cases in people, but not sufficient for community-level outbreaks.
Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of animal or human-animal flu virus, indicating greater but not inevitable risk of pandemic.
Phase 5 means human-to-human spread of virus is confirmed in two countries in one WHO region and pandemic is feared imminent.
Phase 6 characterized by community-level outbreaks in at least one other country in second WHO region. This phase indicates global pandemic is under way.
Swineflu (H1N1) updates as they appear
WHO says moving closer to swine flu alert phase 5 from reuters read here
New updates on important information on swineflu (H1N1) follow me here
http://swineflualerts.blogspot.com/
New updates on important information on swineflu (H1N1) follow me here
http://swineflualerts.blogspot.com/
Swineflu Pandemic influenza watchboard
Another yet important website to keep on your favourites is News and Information on Swine Flu from DoD Pandemic influenza watch board here
Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission Has Been Detected.
Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission Has Been Detected.
Swineflu: precautions
Standard precautions to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness.
* Social Distancing: Social distancing measures are taken to limit when and where people can gather to stop or slow the spread of contagious diseases.
* Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
* Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
* Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Follow the developments here on cdc
* Social Distancing: Social distancing measures are taken to limit when and where people can gather to stop or slow the spread of contagious diseases.
* Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
* Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
* Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Follow the developments here on cdc
Swineflu: WHO updates
From World Health Organisation:
Swine influenza - update 4
28 April 2009--The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 19:15 GMT, 28 April 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 64 laboratory confirmed human cases, with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Canada (6), New Zealand (3), the United Kingdom (2), Israel (2) and Spain (2).
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Keep updated from WHO.INT
Swine influenza - update 4
28 April 2009--The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 19:15 GMT, 28 April 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 64 laboratory confirmed human cases, with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Canada (6), New Zealand (3), the United Kingdom (2), Israel (2) and Spain (2).
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Keep updated from WHO.INT
Swineflu as of now
Listening to BBC news few minutes ago '149' deaths:
And reading around this is what is happening:
-Argentina suspends flights from Mexico city until monday
-Pork producers in US and Brazil pushing for name change from swine as it is destroying business
-Mexico City has banned restaurants and cafes from serving all food except takeaways
And reading around this is what is happening:
-Argentina suspends flights from Mexico city until monday
-Pork producers in US and Brazil pushing for name change from swine as it is destroying business
-Mexico City has banned restaurants and cafes from serving all food except takeaways
Swine Flu staying healthy
Forget about all the scares about swineflu, rather focus on useful information that can be helpful in times of need.
Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home
Find all the information on taking care of sick person in your home here
Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home
Find all the information on taking care of sick person in your home here
Swineflu effects
As swine flu fears continue around the world the markets and airlines falling and drugs registering gains.
Swineflu: Things to know
10 things you need to know about swine flu:
What are swine flu symptoms?
Swine flu symptoms are just like other strain of flu – fever, body aches, fatigue, headache and chills. In children, nausea and diarrhea are also common.
Read more on americares
What are swine flu symptoms?
Swine flu symptoms are just like other strain of flu – fever, body aches, fatigue, headache and chills. In children, nausea and diarrhea are also common.
Read more on americares
Swine Flu staying healthy
There is alarming information around the internet on swineflu. Read but do not panic because you can always get real information from places like cdc
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
* If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
* If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Swineflu: Use of influenza medicine press release
FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009
Media Inquiries:
Peper Long, 301-796-4671
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in response to requests from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) to make available to public health and medical personnel important diagnostic and therapeutic tools to identify and respond to the swine flu virus under certain circumstances. The agency issued these EUAs for the use of certain Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral products, and for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test.
The EUA authority allows the FDA, based on the evaluation of available data, to authorize the use of unapproved or uncleared medical products or unapproved or uncleared uses of approved or cleared medical products following a determination and declaration of emergency, provided certain criteria are met. The authorization will end when the declaration of emergency is terminated or the authorization revoked by the agency.
Currently, Relenza is approved to treat acute uncomplicated illnesses due to influenza in adults and children 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for less than two days, and for the prevention of influenza in adults and children 5 years and older. Tamiflu is approved for the treatment and prevention of influenza in patients 1 year and older.
The EUAs allow for Tamiflu also to be used to treat and prevent influenza in children under 1 year, and to provide alternate dosing recommendations for children older than 1 year. In addition, under the EUAs, both medications may be distributed to large segments of the population without complying with the label requirements otherwise applicable to dispensed drugs, and accompanied by written information pertaining to the emergency use. They may also be distributed by a broader range of health care workers, including some public health officials and volunteers, in accordance with applicable state and local laws and/or public health emergency responses.
In authorizing an EUA for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test, the FDA has determined that it may be effective in testing samples from individuals diagnosed with influenza A infections, whose virus subtypes cannot be identified by currently available tests. This EUA allows the CDC to distribute the swine flu test to public health and other qualified laboratories that have the needed equipment and the personnel who are trained to perform and interpret the results.
The test amplifies the viral genetic material from a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab. A positive result indicates that the patient is presumptively infected with swine flu virus but not the stage of infection. However, a negative result does not, by itself, exclude the possibility of swine flu virus infection.
The EUA authority is part of Project BioShield, which became law in July 2004.
Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of this product to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.
--Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
--Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
--Fax: (800) FDA-0178
--Phone: (800) FDA-1088
For more information:
FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization of Medical Products Guidance, go to
www.fda.gov/oc/guidance/emergencyuse.html.
#
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009
Media Inquiries:
Peper Long, 301-796-4671
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in response to requests from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) to make available to public health and medical personnel important diagnostic and therapeutic tools to identify and respond to the swine flu virus under certain circumstances. The agency issued these EUAs for the use of certain Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral products, and for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test.
The EUA authority allows the FDA, based on the evaluation of available data, to authorize the use of unapproved or uncleared medical products or unapproved or uncleared uses of approved or cleared medical products following a determination and declaration of emergency, provided certain criteria are met. The authorization will end when the declaration of emergency is terminated or the authorization revoked by the agency.
Currently, Relenza is approved to treat acute uncomplicated illnesses due to influenza in adults and children 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for less than two days, and for the prevention of influenza in adults and children 5 years and older. Tamiflu is approved for the treatment and prevention of influenza in patients 1 year and older.
The EUAs allow for Tamiflu also to be used to treat and prevent influenza in children under 1 year, and to provide alternate dosing recommendations for children older than 1 year. In addition, under the EUAs, both medications may be distributed to large segments of the population without complying with the label requirements otherwise applicable to dispensed drugs, and accompanied by written information pertaining to the emergency use. They may also be distributed by a broader range of health care workers, including some public health officials and volunteers, in accordance with applicable state and local laws and/or public health emergency responses.
In authorizing an EUA for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test, the FDA has determined that it may be effective in testing samples from individuals diagnosed with influenza A infections, whose virus subtypes cannot be identified by currently available tests. This EUA allows the CDC to distribute the swine flu test to public health and other qualified laboratories that have the needed equipment and the personnel who are trained to perform and interpret the results.
The test amplifies the viral genetic material from a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab. A positive result indicates that the patient is presumptively infected with swine flu virus but not the stage of infection. However, a negative result does not, by itself, exclude the possibility of swine flu virus infection.
The EUA authority is part of Project BioShield, which became law in July 2004.
Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of this product to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.
--Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
--Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
--Fax: (800) FDA-0178
--Phone: (800) FDA-1088
For more information:
FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization of Medical Products Guidance, go to
www.fda.gov/oc/guidance/emergencyuse.html.
#
Swineflu:Facemask and Respirator
Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission Has Been Detected
Read this here
Read this here
Swineflu: Country news
-The latest news from Thailand is that they have installed swineflu scanners at 3 airports
-Government warns against travel to Mexico and US
-Government warns against travel to Mexico and US
swineflu: Alert on 4
Current phase of Pandemic alert is on 4 which means sustained human to human transmission.
Swineflu or H1N1 keep reading as we bring more news from around the globe
Swineflu or H1N1 keep reading as we bring more news from around the globe
Swineflu: Planning for a potential pandemic
The "Swine Flu" is a Reason to Plan, not Panic
This is a place to watch on coverage on actions you should take as the situation evolves.
http://www.gartner.com/it/products/research/coverage/pandemic09.jsp
This is a place to watch on coverage on actions you should take as the situation evolves.
http://www.gartner.com/it/products/research/coverage/pandemic09.jsp
Swineflu: Google swineflu map
H1N1 Swine Flu
H1N1 Swine flu in 2009
Pink markers are suspect
Purple markers are confirmed or probable
Deaths lack a dot in marker
Yellow markers are negative
Swine Flu Alerts from around the globe
AUSTRALIA has 8.7 million doses of Tamiflu and Relenza on hand to treat a new and potentially deadly strain of swine flu, but it must be given to people within 48 hours of them experiencing symptoms to be effective
From the age read here
From the age read here
Swine Flu Alerts from around the globe
From Daily express:
BRITAIN’S worst fears were confirmed last night after two people tested positive for killer swine flu and experts warned a pandemic was “inevitable”
Here is the news
Swine flu explained: Symptoms, eating pork and health advice watch a video here
http://swineflualerts.blogspot.com/
BRITAIN’S worst fears were confirmed last night after two people tested positive for killer swine flu and experts warned a pandemic was “inevitable”
Here is the news
Swine flu explained: Symptoms, eating pork and health advice watch a video here
http://swineflualerts.blogspot.com/
Swine influenza: From WHO desk updates
Swine influenza - update 3
27 April 2009 -- The current situation regarding the outbreak of swine influenza A(H1N1) is evolving rapidly. As of 27 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths.
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
27 April 2009 -- The current situation regarding the outbreak of swine influenza A(H1N1) is evolving rapidly. As of 27 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths.
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Swine influenza: From WHO desk
WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Information on this page tracks the evolving situation and provides access to both technical guidelines and information useful for the general public.
Bookmark WHO website for more updates on swineflu
Bookmark WHO website for more updates on swineflu
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