Int'l Society for Infectious Diseases - Reports: INFLUENZA A H1N1 VIRUS, SWINE, HUMAN - NORTH AMERICA

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Int'l Society for Infectious Diseases - Reports: INFLUENZA A H1N1 VIRUS, SWINE, HUMAN - NORTH AMERICA
Inanna of Sumeria Offer Upgrade User ID: 664321 United States 04/25/2009 12:19 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Int'l Society for Infectious Diseases - Reports: INFLUENZA A H1N1 VIRUS, SWINE, HUMAN - NORTH AMERICA [link to www.promedmail.org] "We should call it swine flu as this is common parlance but there have been no cases in swine to date. We don't know if this strain has occurred in swine but there is no evidence that it has. No surveillance yet but the SIV (swine influenza virus) is endemic and controlled by vaccination here in the US and probably in Mexico. Mexico's pork production is just like that in the US, Canada and Europe -- very intensive. I do not know about the extent of backyard swine but will try to find out. - Mod.PC" Archive Number 20090425.1552 Published Date 25-APR-2009 Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - N America INFLUENZA A (H1N1) VIRUS, SWINE, HUMAN - NORTH AMERICA **************************************************** A ProMED-mail post < [link to www.promedmail.org>] ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases < [link to www.isid.org>] In this update: [1] USA - MMWR [2] USA, Mexico - WHO [1] USA - MMWR Date: 24 Apr 2009 Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Dispatch 24 Apr 2009/58 (dispatch);1-3 < [link to cdc.gov] Update: swine influenza A (H1N1) infections --- California and Texas, April 2009 -------------------- On [21 Apr 2009], CDC reported that 2 recent cases of febrile respiratory illness in children in southern California had been caused by infection with genetically similar swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The viruses contained a unique combination of gene segments that had not been reported previously among swine or human influenza viruses in the United States or elsewhere (1). Neither child had known contact with pigs, resulting in concern that human-to-human transmission might have occurred. The seasonal influenza vaccine H1N1 strain is thought to be unlikely to provide protection. This report updates the status of the ongoing investigation and provides preliminary details about 6 additional persons infected by the same strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus identified in the previous cases, as of [24 Apr 2009]. The 6 additional cases were reported in San Diego County, California (3 cases), Imperial County, California (one case), and Guadalupe County, Texas (2 cases). CDC, the California Department of Public Health, and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services are conducting case investigations, monitoring for illness in contacts of the 8 patients, and enhancing surveillance to determine the extent of spread of the virus. CDC continues to recommend that any influenza A viruses that cannot be subtyped be sent promptly for testing to CDC. In addition, swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses of the same strain as those in the US patients have been confirmed by CDC among specimens from patients in Mexico. Clinicians should consider swine influenza as well as seasonal influenza virus infections in the differential diagnosis for patients who have febrile respiratory illness and who 1) live in San Diego and Imperial counties, California, or Guadalupe County, Texas, or traveled to these counties or 2) who traveled recently to Mexico or were in contact with persons who had febrile respiratory illness and were in one of the 3 US counties or Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset. Case reports ------------ San Diego County, California. On [9 Apr 2009], an adolescent girl aged 16 years and her father aged 54 years went to a San Diego County clinic with acute respiratory illness. The youth had onset of illness on [5 Apr 2009]. Her symptoms included fever, cough, headache, and rhinorrhea. The father had onset of illness on [6 Apr 2009] with symptoms that included fever, cough, and rhinorrhea. Both had self-limited illnesses and have recovered. The father had received seasonal influenza vaccine in October 2008; the daughter was unvaccinated. Respiratory specimens were obtained from both, tested in the San Diego County Health Department Laboratory, and found to be positive for influenza A using reverse transcription--polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), but could not be further subtyped. Two household contacts of the patients have reported recent mild acute respiratory illnesses; specimens have been collected from these household members for testing. One additional case, in a child residing in San Diego County, was identified on [24 Apr 2009]; epidemiologic details regarding this case are pending. Imperial County, California. A woman aged 41 years with an autoimmune illness who resided in Imperial County developed fever, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, and myalgias on [12 Apr 2009]. She was hospitalized on [15 Apr 2009]. She recovered and was discharged on [22 Apr 2009]. A respiratory specimen obtained [16 Apr 2009] was found to be influenza A positive by RT-PCR at the San Diego Country Health Department Laboratory, but could not be further subtyped. The woman had not been vaccinated against seasonal influenza viruses during the 2008--09 season. Three household contacts of the woman reported no recent respiratory illness. Guadalupe County, Texas. Two adolescent boys aged 16 years who resided in Guadalupe County near San Antonio were tested for influenza and found to be positive for influenza A on [15 Apr 2009]. The youths had become ill with acute respiratory symptoms on [10 Apr 2009] and [14 Apr 2009], respectively, and both had gone to an outpatient clinic for evaluation on [15 Apr 2009]. Identification and tracking of the youths' contacts is under way. Five of the new cases were identified through diagnostic specimens collected by the health care facility in which the patients were examined, based on clinical suspicion of influenza; information regarding the 6th case is pending. The positive specimens were sent to public health laboratories for further evaluation as part of routine influenza surveillance in the 3 counties. Outbreaks in Mexico ------------------- Mexican public health authorities have reported increased levels of respiratory disease, including reports of severe pneumonia cases and deaths, in recent weeks. Most reported disease and outbreaks are reported from central Mexico, but outbreaks and severe respiratory disease cases also have been reported from states along the US-Mexico border. Testing of specimens collected from persons with respiratory disease in Mexico by the CDC laboratory has identified the same strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) as identified in the US cases. However, no clear data are available to assess the link between the increased disease reports in Mexico and the confirmation of swine influenza in a small number of specimens. CDC is assisting public health authorities in Mexico in testing additional specimens and providing epidemiologic support. None of the US patients traveled to Mexico within 7 days of the onset of their illness. Epidemiologic and laboratory investigations ------------------------------------------- As of April 24, epidemiologic links identified among the new cases included 1) the household of the father and daughter in San Diego County, and 2) the school attended by the 2 youths in Guadalupe County. As of April 24, no epidemiologic link between the Texas cases and the California cases had been identified, nor between the 3 new California cases and the 2 cases previously reported. No recent exposure to pigs has been identified for any of the 7 patients. Close contacts of all patients are being investigated to determine whether person-to-person spread has occurred. Enhanced surveillance for additional cases is ongoing in California and in Texas. Clinicians have been advised to test patients who visit a clinic or hospital with febrile respiratory illness for influenza. Positive samples should be sent to public health laboratories for further characterization. Seasonal influenza activity continues to decline in the United States, including in Texas and California, but remains a cause of influenza-like illness in both areas. Viruses from 6 of the 8 patients have been tested for resistance to antiviral medications. All 6 have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantidine but sensitive to zanamivir and oseltamivir. Reported by: San Diego County Health and Human Svcs; Imperial County Public Health Dept; California Dept of Public Health. Dallas County Health and Human Svcs; Texas Dept of State Health Svcs. Naval Health Research Center; Navy Medical Center, San Diego, California. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Svc, US Dept of Agriculture. Div of Global Migration and Quarantine, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases; National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases; Influenza Div, National Center for Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. Editorial note -------------- In the US, novel influenza A virus infections in humans, including swine influenza A (H1N1) infections, have been nationally notifiable conditions since 2007. Recent pandemic influenza preparedness activities have greatly increased the capacity of public health laboratories in the US to perform RT-PCR for influenza and to subtype influenza A viruses they receive from their routine surveillance, enhancing the ability of US laboratories to identify novel influenza A virus infections. Before the cases described in this ongoing investigation, recent cases of swine influenza in humans reported to CDC occurred in persons who either had exposure to pigs or to a family member with exposure to pigs. Transmission of swine influenza viruses between persons with no pig exposure has been described previously, but that transmission has been limited (2,3). The lack of a known history of pig exposure for any of the patients in the current cases indicates that they acquired infection through contact with other infected persons. The spectrum of illness in the current cases is not yet fully defined. In the 8 cases identified to date, 6 patients had self-limited illnesses and were treated as outpatients. One patient was hospitalized. Previous reports of swine influenza, although in strains different from the one identified in the current cases, mostly included mild upper respiratory illness; but severe lower respiratory illness and death also have been reported (2,3). The extent of spread of the strain of swine influenza virus in this investigation is not known. Ongoing investigations by California and Texas authorities of the 2 previously reported patients, a boy aged 10 years and a girl aged 9 years, include identification of persons in close contact with the children during the period when they were likely infectious (defined as from 1 day before symptom onset to 7 days after symptom onset). These contacts have included household members, extended family members, clinic staff members who cared for the children, and persons in close contact with the boy during his travel to Texas on April 3. Respiratory specimens are being collected from contacts found to have ongoing illness. In addition, enhanced surveillance for possible cases is under way in clinics and hospitals in the areas where the patients reside. Similar investigations and enhanced surveillance are now under way in the additional 6 cases. Clinicians should consider swine influenza infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile respiratory illness and who 1) live in San Diego and Imperial counties, California, or Guadalupe County, Texas, or traveled to these counties or 2) who traveled recently to Mexico or were in contact with persons who had febrile respiratory illness and were in one of the 3 US counties or Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset. Any unusual clusters of febrile respiratory illness elsewhere in the United States also should be investigated. Patients who meet these criteria should be tested for influenza, and specimens positive for influenza should be sent to public health laboratories for further characterization. Clinicians who suspect swine influenza virus infections in humans should obtain a nasopharyngeal swab from the patient, place the swab in a viral transport medium, refrigerate the specimen, and then contact their state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis at a state public health laboratory. CDC requests that state public health laboratories promptly send all influenza A specimens that cannot be subtyped to the CDC, Influenza Division, Virus Surveillance and Diagnostics Branch Laboratory. As a precautionary step, CDC is working with other partners to develop a vaccine seed strain specific to these recent swine influenza viruses in humans. As always, persons with febrile respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections (including influenza and other respiratory illnesses) to others in their communities. In addition, frequent hand washing can lessen the spread of respiratory illness (5). Interim guidance on infection control, treatment, and chemoprophylaxis for swine influenza is available at < [link to www.cdc.gov] Additional information about swine influenza is available at < [link to www.cdc.gov] References ---------- 1. CDC. Swine influenza A (H1N1) infection in two children -- Southern California, March-April 2009. MMWR 2009; 58: 400-2. [available at < [link to cdc.gov] 2. Myers KP, Olsen CW, Gray GC. Cases of swine influenza in humans: a review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis 2007; 44: 1084-8. 3. Wells DL, Hopfensperger DJ, Arden NH, et al. Swine influenza virus infections. Transmission from ill pigs to humans at a Wisconsin agricultural fair and subsequent probable person-to-person transmission. JAMA 1991; 265: 478-81. 4. Newman AP, Reisdorf E, Beinemann J, et al. Human case of swine influenza A (H1N1) triple reassortant virus infection, Wisconsin. Emerg Infect Dis 2008; 14: 1470-2. 5. Ryan MA, Christian RS, Wohlrabe J. Handwashing and respiratory illness among young adults in military training. Am J Prev Med 2001; 21: 79-83. -- communicated by: ProMED-mail <[email protected]> ** [2] USA, Mexico - WHO Date: 24 Apr 2009 Source: WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) [edited] < [link to www.who.int] Influenza-like illness in the United States and Mexico 24 April 2009 ------------------------------------------------------ The United States Government has reported 7 confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 in the USA (5 in California and 2 in Texas) and 9 suspect cases. All 7 confirmed cases had mild influenza-like illness (ILI), with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. The Government of Mexico has reported three separate events. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of ILI starting 18 March [2009]. The number of cases has risen steadily through April and as of 23 April there are now more than 854 cases of pneumonia from the capital, 59 of whom have died. In San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, 24 cases of ILI, with 3 deaths, have been reported. And from Mexicali, near the border with the United States, 4 cases of ILI, none fatal, have been reported. Of the Mexican cases, 18 have been laboratory confirmed in Canada as swine influenza A/H1N1, while 12 of those are genetically identical to the swine influenza A/H1N1 viruses from California. The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico. Because there are human cases associated with an animal influenza virus, and because of the geographical spread of multiple community outbreaks, plus the somewhat unusual age groups affected, these events are of high concern. The swine influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have not been previously detected in pigs or humans. The viruses so far characterized have been sensitive to oseltamivir, but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine. The World Health Organization has been in constant contact with the health authorities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in order to better understand the risk which these ILI events pose. WHO (and the Pan American Health Organization [PAHO]) is sending missions of experts to Mexico to work with health authorities there. It is helping its member states to increase field epidemiology activities, laboratory diagnosis and clinical management. Moreover, WHO's partners in the Global Alert and Response Network have been alerted and are ready to assist as requested by the member states. WHO acknowledges the US and Mexico for their proactive reporting and their collaboration with WHO and will continue to work with member states to further characterize the outbreak. -- communicated by: ProMED-mail <[email protected]> **** [3] Mexico - Newswire Date: 24 Apr 2009 Source: Yahoo News / Associated Press < [link to news.yahoo.com] A unique strain of swine flu is the suspected killer of dozens of people in Mexico, where authorities closed schools, museums, libraries and theaters in the capital on Friday [24 Apr 2009] to try to contain an outbreak that has spurred concerns of a global flu epidemic. The worrisome new virus -- which combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way researchers have not seen before -- also sickened at least eight people in Texas and California, though there have been no deaths in the US "We are very, very concerned," WHO spokesman Thomas Abraham said. "We have what appears to be a novel virus and it has spread from human to human ... It's all hands on deck at the moment." The outbreak caused alarm in Mexico, where more than 1000 people have been sickened. Residents of the capital donned surgical masks and authorities ordered the most sweeping shutdown of public gathering places in a quarter century. President Felipe Calderon met with his Cabinet Friday [24 Apr 2009] to coordinate Mexico's response. WHO was convening an expert panel to consider whether to raise the pandemic alert level or issue travel advisories. It might already be too late to contain the outbreak, a prominent US pandemic flu expert said late on Friday. Given how quickly flu can spread around the globe, if these are the first signs of a pandemic, then there are probably cases incubating around the world already, said Dr Michael Osterholm at the University of Minnesota. In Mexico City, "literally hundreds and thousands of travelers come in and out every day," Osterholm said. "You'd have to believe there's been more unrecognized transmission that's occurred." There is no vaccine that specifically protects against swine flu, and it was unclear how much protection current human flu vaccines might offer. A "seed stock" genetically matched to the new swine flu virus has been created by the US Centers for Disease Control, said Dr Richard Besser, the agency's acting director. If the government decides vaccine production is necessary, manufacturers would need that stock to get started. Authorities in Mexico urged people to avoid hospitals unless they had a medical emergency, since hospitals are centers of infection. They also said Mexicans should refrain from customary greetings such as shaking hands or kissing cheeks. At Mexico City's international airport, passengers were questioned to try to prevent anyone with flu symptoms from boarding airplanes and spreading the disease. Epidemiologists are particularly concerned because the only fatalities so far were in young people and adults. The 8 US victims recovered from symptoms that were like those of the regular flu, mostly fever, cough, and sore throat, though some also experienced vomiting and diarrhea. US health officials announced an outbreak notice to travelers, urging caution and frequent handwashing, but stopping short of telling Americans to avoid Mexico. Mexico's health secretary Jose Angel Cordoba said 68 people have died of flu and the new swine flu strain had been confirmed in 20 of those deaths. At least 1004 people nationwide were sick from the suspected flu, he said. The geographical spread of the outbreaks also concerned the WHO -- while 13 of the 20 deaths were in Mexico City, the rest were spread across Mexico -- 4 in central San Luis Potosi, 2 up near the US border in Baja California, and one in southern Oaxaca state. Scientists have long been concerned that a new flu virus could launch a worldwide pandemic of a killer disease. A new virus could evolve when different flu viruses infect a pig, a person or a bird, mingling their genetic material. The resulting hybrid could spread quickly because people would have no natural defenses against it. Still, flu experts were concerned but not alarmed about the latest outbreak. "We've seen swine influenza in humans over the past several years, and in most cases, it's come from direct pig contact. This seems to be different," said Dr Arnold Monto, a flu expert with the University of Michigan. "I think we need to be careful and not apprehensive, but certainly paying attention to new developments as they proceed." CDC says 2 flu drugs, Tamiflu [oseltamivir] and Relenza [zanamivir], seem effective against the new strain. Roche, the maker of Tamiflu, said the company is prepared to immediately deploy a stockpile of the drug if requested. Both drugs must be taken early, within a few days of the onset of symptoms, to be most effective. Cordoba said Mexico has enough Tamiflu to treat 1 million people, but the medicine will be strictly controlled and handed out only by doctors. Mexico's government had maintained until late on Thursday that there was nothing unusual about the ffrostes, although this year's flu season had been worse and longer than past years. The sudden turnaround by public health officials angered many Mexicans. The city was handing out free surgical masks to passengers on buses and the subway system, which carries 5 million people each day. Government workers were ordered to wear the masks, and authorities urged residents to stay home from work if they felt ill. Closing schools across Mexico's capital of 20 million kept 6.1 million students home, as well as thousands of university students. All state and city-run cultural activities were suspended, including libraries, state-run theaters, and at least 14 museums. Private athletic clubs closed down and soccer leagues were considering canceling weekend games. The closures were the first citywide shutdown of public gathering places since millions died in the devastating 1985 earthquake. Mexico's response brought to mind other major outbreaks, such as when SARS hit Asia. At its peak in 2003, Beijing shuttered schools, cinemas and restaurants, and thousands of people were quarantined at home. In March 2008, Hong Kong ordered more than half a million students to stay home for 2 weeks because of a flu outbreak. It was the first such closure in Hong Kong since the outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. "It's great they are taking precautions," said Lillian Molina, a teacher at the Montessori's World preschool in Mexico City, who scrubbed down empty classrooms with Clorox, soap and Lysol between fielding calls from worried parents. US health officials said the outbreak is not yet a reason for alarm in the United States. The 5 people sickened in California and 3 in Texas have all recovered. It's unclear how the 8, who became ill between late March and mid-April, contracted the virus because none were in contact with pigs, which is how people usually catch swine flu. And only a few were in contact with each other. CDC officials described the virus as having a unique combination of gene segments not seen before in people or pigs. The bug contains human virus, avian virus from North America and pig viruses from North America, Europe, and Asia. It may be completely new, or it may have been around for a while and was only detected now through improved testing and surveillance, CDC officials said. The most notorious flu pandemic is thought to have killed at least 40 million people worldwide in 1918-19. Two other, less deadly flu pandemics struck in 1957 and 1968. [byline: Mark Stevenson] -- communicated by: Daniel Madar <[email protected]> [ProMED-mail would like to thank all our subscribers who have been submitting numerous information sources on the above outbreak(s) situation that is unfolding by the hour as more and more information becomes available. According to the above information are now 8 confirmed cases of the novel influenza A H1N1 virus infection in the USA, all mild, occurring in counties with known increased population flow/transit between the USA & Mexico. According to the official report from WHO, there have been now more than 854 cases of pneumonia reported from the capital (Mexico City) of which 59 have died (case fatality rate [CFR] 6.9 per cent). In San Luis Potosi (central Mexico) there were 24 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) reported with 3 deaths (CFR 12.5 per cent) and in Mexicali, (near the border with the United States), there have been 4 cases of ILI reported with no deaths. It should be noted here that the data from Mexico refers to inpatient hospitalized cases, whereas the ILI surveillance sites in the USA are predominantly from sentinel reporting outpatient facilities. This difference in surveillance sites may account for an apparent disparity in severity of the illnesses in cases reported in Mexico vs those presently reported in the USA. As more uniform active surveillance (case finding) is implemented, these disparities may lessen. The absence of direct connection between the cases in the USA and the cases in Mexico does not rule out the outbreaks being linked, as the population flow between the 2 countries is high and 12 isolates from Mexico are reported to be genetically identical to those isolated in the USA. One suspects the epidemic curve is already multiple generations past the "index case". The virus has apparently been circulating in Mexico for several weeks, and in the USA for at least 2 weeks according to the above reports. - Mod.MPP We should call it swine flu as this is common parlance but there have been no cases in swine to date. We don't know if this strain has occurred in swine but there is no evidence that it has. No surveillance yet but the SIV (swine influenza virus) is endemic and controlled by vaccination here in the US and probably in Mexico. Mexico's pork production is just like that in the US, Canada and Europe -- very intensive. I do not know about the extent of backyard swine but will try to find out. - Mod.PC The map link shows the proximity of Texas, California, and Mexico < [link to healthmap.org] - Mod.SH] [see also: Acute respiratory disease - Mexico, swine virus susp 20090424.1546 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA (02): (CA, TX) 20090424.1541 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA: (CA) 20090422.1516 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - Spain 20090220.0715 2008 --- Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA (TX) 20081125.3715 2007 --- Influenza A (H2N3) virus, swine - USA 20071219.4079 2006 --- Influenza, swine, human - USA (IA): November 2006 20070108.0077] ....................mpp/cp/pc/sh Last Edited by Inanna of Sumeria on 04/25/2009 12:25 PM

Inanna of Sumeria (OP) User ID: 664321 United States 04/26/2009 11:20 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: Int'l Society for Infectious Diseases - Reports: INFLUENZA A H1N1 VIRUS, SWINE, HUMAN - NORTH AMERICA INFLUENZA A (H1N1) VIRUS, SWINE, HUMAN - NORTH AMERICA (03) ********************************************************* A ProMED-mail post < [link to www.promedmail.org>] ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases < [link to www.isid.org>] In this update: [1] WHO - Public Health Emergency of International Concern USA [2] CDC update [3] New York City [4] Kansas Mexico [5] Mexico Elsewhere in the news: [6] UK - flight attendant ex Mexico, suspected ** [1] WHO - Public Health Emergency of International Concern Date: 25 Mar 2009 Source: WHO website [edited] < [link to www.who.int] Statement by WHO director-general, Dr Margaret Chan [25 Apr 2009] Swine influenza --------------- In response to cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), reported in Mexico and the United States of America, the director-general convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee to assess the situation and advise her on appropriate responses. The establishment of the committee, which is composed of international experts in a variety of disciplines, is in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005). The 1st meeting of the Emergency Committee was held on Saturday [25 Apr 2009]. After reviewing available data on the current situation, committee members identified a number of gaps in knowledge about the clinical features, epidemiology, and virology of reported cases and the appropriate responses. The committee advised that answers to several specific questions were needed to facilitate its work. The committee nevertheless agreed that the current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Based on this advice, the director-general has determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern, under the regulations. Concerning public health measures, in line with the regulations the director-general is recommending, on the advice of the committee, that all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia. The committee further agreed that more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current phase 3. Related links: Swine influenza: < [link to www.who.int] Current WHO phase of pandemic alert: < [link to www.who.int] International Health Regulations (IHR): < [link to www.who.int] -- communicated by: Kunihiko Iizuka <[email protected]> **** [2] USA - CDC update Date: 25 Apr 2009 Source: CDC website [edited] < [link to www.cdc.gov] Human swine influenza investigation: [25 Apr 2009] 19:30 EDT ------------------------------------------------------------ Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the US in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. Internationally, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in Mexico. US human cases of swine flu infection ------------------------------------- State: No. of laboratory confirmed cases California: 7 cases Texas: 2 cases Kansas: 2 cases Total count: 11 cases (as of April 25th, 2009 7:30 pm EDT) Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses. CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. On [24 Apr 2009], CDC deployed 7 epidemiologists to San Diego County, California and Imperial County, California and 1 senior medical officer to Texas to provide guidance and technical support for the ongoing epidemiologic field investigations. CDC has also deployed to Mexico 1 medical officer and 1 senior expert who are part of a global team that is responding to the outbreak of respiratory illnesses in Mexico. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. There are many things you can to do preventing getting and spreading influenza: 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. -- communicated by: ProMED-mail <[email protected]> **** [3] USA - New York City Date: 25 Apr 2009 Source: New York City Department of Health Press Release [edited] < [link to www.nyc.gov] Probable cases of swine influenza found in students at school in Queens ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Health Department is investigating a cluster of respiratory illness in a non-public school in New York City and has determined that at least 8 students have probable human swine influenza. More than 100 of the schools students were absent several days this week due to fever, sore throats, and other flu-like symptoms. The Health Department has interviewed more than 100 students or their families, and all students have had mild symptoms; none have been hospitalized. Some family members have developed similar symptoms, suggesting spread in the family. In response to confirmed cases of swine influenza (swine flu) in Mexico, California and Texas, the New York City Health Department is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assess the possibility of the spread of swine flu. Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza type A viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can occur. Human cases typically involve people who have had direct contact with pigs, but person-to-person transmission is suspected among recent cases in the south west. The cases in Mexico have had a high fatality rate, but the 8 recently confirmed cases from California and Texas have been mild. All of the non-NYC patients have recovered. The Health Departments Public Health Laboratory has completed preliminary viral testing on nose and throat swabs from 9 affected students. Eight of the 9 tests are positive for influenza A. Because they do not match H1 and H3 human subtypes of influenza A by available testing methods, they are considered probable cases of swine flu. The specimens have been sent to the CDC in Atlanta for confirmatory testing. Results of those tests are expected on Sunday [26 Apr 2009]. (The attached chart outlines the steps required for confirmation.) Patients experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek health care and treatment. Otherwise, the Health Department recommends at-home care. If affected students at the school in question have household contacts at high risk for complications from influenza -- young children, the elderly, and people with chronic illness -- those at risk should receive preventive treatment. The most effective way to lower the risk of transmission is for people with symptoms to stay home. All New Yorkers should cover their mouths when they cough. Swine influenza cannot be transmitted from eating pork or pork products. The symptoms of swine flu in people appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. For facts about influenza, and more information about swine flu, please visit the Health Department and CDC websites. Some specific resources: From New York City Health Department: Facts about flu < [link to www.nyc.gov] From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: General information about swine flu < [link to www.cdc.gov] Swine flu case definitions < [link to www.cdc.gov] Swine flu infection control and patient care < [link to www.cdc.gov] Preventing the flu < [link to www.cdc.gov] Chart: steps required to confirm suspected cases of swine flu < [link to www.nyc.gov] Contact: (212) 788-5290 Jessica Scaperotti/Erin Brady: [email protected] -- communicated by: ProMED-mail <[email protected]> ** [4] USA - Kansas Date: 25 Apr 2009 Source: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) [edited] < [link to www.kdheks.gov] KDHE reports 2 cases of swine flu in Kansas ------------------------------------------- The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced today that 2 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Kansas involving 2 adults residing in the same household in Dickinson County. Neither of the patients was hospitalized ¬- one is still ill and being treated, and one is recovering. One of the patients had recently traveled to Mexico, flying in and out of Wichita. Both persons work in Saline County and became ill with the same unique (H1N1) strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, California, and Texas. "Its not yet known whether this will become the next flu pandemic," stated Dr Jason Eberhart-Phillips, state health officer and director of the KDHE Division of Health. "We are working closely with health agencies at all levels and are continuing to monitor these cases. We are taking this situation very seriously." KDHE and the Dickinson County Health Department are investigating the sources of exposure, and efforts are being coordinated with CDC. Individuals who have been in contact with the patients are being interviewed and tested. Local health departments and hospitals in Kansas are being continuously updated and provided with information about the swine flu virus. In accordance with the Kansas Response Plan, KDHE is also monitoring and instituting recommendations from CDC for any additional influenza disease surveillance activities, reviewing plans to further enhance those activities, and advising health care providers to use rapid detection tests for persons who have symptoms consistent with swine flu, especially if they have recently been in Mexico, and taking other steps under the plan. The KDHE Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology received a report of unusual flu-like illness from Dickinson County on Friday [24 Apr 2009] afternoon. Respiratory specimens were collected from both patients and received by KDHE later on Friday evening. At about 2 am Saturday, the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories at KDHE reported preliminary results that were positive for influenza A viruses. Between about 2:30 and 3 am, KDHE notified the Dickinson County Health Department of those preliminary results, which notified the attending physician. Around that same time, KDHE obtained the use of Governor Kathleen Sebelius plane to safely and securely transport the samples as rapidly as possible to the CDC labs in Atlanta for confirmatory analysis to determine if the viruses were of the (H1N1) strain. A staff member with the KDHE Center for Public Health Preparedness handed the samples to a CDC representative at about 6:10 am on Saturday, and the samples reached the labs at about 6:30 am KDHE convened staff in its Department Operations Center at 10 am on Saturday, and was notified by CDC of the confirmatory results at 2:30 pm. Prior to the recent outbreak in Mexico and the US, since 2005 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza had been reported to CDC. Swine flu infections in humans are rare, but are related to close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Neither of the current patients in Kansas reported having contact with pigs. For more information and updates, please visit the KDHE website at . Office of Communications Curtis State Office Building, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 540, Topeka, KS 66612-1368 Contact: Maggie Thompson <[email protected]> < [link to www.kdheks.gov>] -- communicated by: Philip Henika <[email protected]> ProMED-mail rapporteur Mary Marshall ProMED-mail <[email protected]> ** [5] Mexico Date: 25 Apr 2009 [edited] Source: Yahoo News / Associated Press < [link to news.yahoo.com] Mexico fights swine flu with "pandemic potential" ------------------------------------------------- Mexico's president assumed new powers Saturday to isolate people infected with a deadly swine flu strain as authorities struggled to contain an outbreak that world health officials warned could become a global epidemic. New cases of swine flu were confirmed in Kansas and California and suspected in New York City. But officials said they didn't know whether the New York cases were the strain that now has killed up to 81 people in Mexico and likely sickened 1324 since [13 Apr 2009], according to figures updated late Saturday [25 Apr 2009] by Mexico's health secretary. Tests have confirmed swine flu as the cause of death in 20 of the cases. Mexican soldiers and health workers patrolled airports and bus stations as they tried to corral people who may be infected with the swine flu, as it became clearer that the government may have been slow to respond to the outbreak in March and early April [2009]. Now, even detaining the ill may not keep the strain -- a combination of swine, bird and human influenza that people may have no natural immunity to -- from spreading, epidemiologists say. The World Health Organization on Saturday [25 Apr 2009] asked countries around the world to step up reporting and surveillance of the disease and implement a coordinated response to contain it. Two dozen new suspected cases were reported in Mexico City alone, where authorities suspended schools and all public events until further notice. More than 500 events, including concerts and sports games, were canceled in the metropolis of 20 million. Mexican authorities ordered schools closed in the capital and the states of Mexico and San Luis Potosi until [6 May 2009], and the Roman Catholic Church announced the cancellation of Sunday masses in the capital. The Mexican government issued a decree authorizing President Felipe Calderon to invoke special powers letting the Health Department isolate patients and inspect homes, incoming travelers and baggage. But officials said it was designed to free health workers from possible legal reprisals and to speed disease control efforts. A team from the Centers for Disease Control had arrived in Mexico to help set up detection testing for the swine flu strain, something Mexico previously lacked. The US Embassy said the US has not imposed travel constraints to and from Mexico but is suspending the processing of visas and other services through Wednesday [29 Apr 2009] to avoid creating crowds. It issued an earlier message advising US citizens to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, greeting people with a kiss or using the subway. While suspected swine flu cases have been reported in about 16 Mexican states, health secretary Jose Cordova said "it has not spread to the entire country." WHO director-general Margaret Chan said the outbreak of the never-before-seen virus has "pandemic potential." But she said it is still too early to tell if it would become a pandemic. WHO lays out 3 criteria necessary for a global epidemic: The virus is able to infect people, can readily spread person-to-person, and the global population has no immunity to it. Early detection and treatment are key to stopping any outbreak. WHO guidance calls for isolating the sick and blanketing everyone around them with anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu [oseltamivir]. Now, with patients showing up all across Mexico and its teeming capital, simple math suggests that kind of response is impossible. Mexico appears to have lost valuable days or weeks in detecting the new virus. Health authorities started noticing a threefold spike in flu cases in late March and early April [2009], but they thought it was a late rebound in the December-February flu season. Testing at domestic labs did not alert doctors to the new strain, and Cordova acknowledged Mexican labs lacked the necessary profiling data to detect the previously unknown strain. The 1st death occurred in southern Oaxaca state on [13 Apr 2009], but Mexico didn't send the 1st of 14 mucous samples to CDC until [18 Apr 2009], around the same time it dispatched health teams to hospitals looking for patients with severe flu or pnuemonia-like symptoms. Those teams noticed something strange: the flu was killing people aged 20 to 40. Flu victims are usually either infants or the elderly. The Spanish flu pandemic, which killed at least 40 million people worldwide in 1918-19, also 1st struck otherwise healthy young adults. Even though US labs detected the swine flu in California and Texas before last weekend, Mexican authorities as recently as Wednesday [22 Apr 2009] were referring to it as a late-season flu. But mid-afternoon Thursday [23 Apr 2009], Mexico City health secretary Dr Armando Ahued said, officials got a call "from the United States and Canada, the most important laboratories in the field, telling us this was a new virus." "That was what led us to realize it wasn't a seasonal virus ... and take more serious preventative measures," Cordova said. Asked why there were so many deaths in Mexico, and none so far among the 11 cases in the United States, Cordova noted that the US cases involved children -- who haven't been among the fatal cases in Mexico, either. "There are immune factors that are giving children some sort of defense, that is the only explanation we have," he said. Another factor may be that some Mexican patients may have delayed seeking medical help too long, Cordova said. Some Mexicans suspected the government had been less than forthcoming. "They always make a big deal about good things that happen, but they really try to hide anything bad," [a Mexico City paralegal] said. Airports around the world were screening travelers from Mexico for flu symptoms. But containing the disease may not be an option. "Anything that would be about containing it right now would purely be a political move," said Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota pandemic expert. Scientists have warned for years about the potential for a pandemic from viruses that mix genetic material from humans and animals. This swine flu and regular flu can have similar symptoms -- mostly fever, cough and sore throat, though some of the US victims who recovered also experienced vomiting and diarrhea. But unlike with regular flu, humans don't have natural immunity to a virus that includes animal genes -- and new vaccines can take months to bring into use. A "seed stock" genetically matched to the new swine flu virus has been created by CDC, said Dr Richard Besser, the agency's acting director. If the government decides vaccine production is necessary, manufacturers would need that stock to get started. Mexican authorities did lay to rest one persistent doubt, after Mexican museum director Felipe Solis died this week, just days after accompanying US President Barack Obama on a tour of National Anthropology Museum on [16 Apr 2009]. Cordova said Solis had a pre-existing illness and died of pneumonia unrelated to influenza. [bylines: Mark Stevenson. (David Koop in Mexico City; Frank Jordans in Geneva; Mike Stobbe in Atlanta; Malcolm Ritter in New York; and Maria Cheng in London contributed to this report.)] -- communicated by: Sara M Volk, PhD, <[email protected]> Postdoctoral Fellow, Alphavirus Pathogenesis and Evolution Department of Pathology Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases: < [link to www.utmb.edu] University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas, USA **** [6] UK - flight attendant ex Mexico, susp Date: 26 Apr 2009 Source: BBC [edited] < [link to news.bbc.co.uk] UK monitoring swine flu outbreak -------------------------------- Health officials in the UK say they are closely monitoring the deadly outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the US, amid fears of a potential pandemic. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was working with the government to assess any threat posed to public health in the UK. It described the outbreak as "unusual" and warranting "further investigation and vigilance" by other countries. However, no cases have so far been identified anywhere in Europe. At least 81 people in Mexico are now thought to have died from pneumonia after contracting swine flu. Swine flu is a respiratory disease that infects pigs and does not normally infect humans. However, sporadic cases do occur, usually in people who have had close contact with pigs. Precautionary tests ------------------- WHO said some of those affected in Mexico had tested positive for a strain -- H1N1 -- that had infected at least 7 people in the south western US. The concern is that because this strain appears to be passing easily from human to human, it has the potential to spread rapidly. WHO director-general Margaret Chan said the strain had "pandemic potential" but that it was too early to say whether one would actually occur. The HPA and the NHS have systems in place which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK. Health Protection Authority statement ------------------------------------- The HPA said: "More investigation and testing is needed to determine the severity of the disease and the ease with which it can spread. "The HPA is monitoring this situation closely and is working with the UK government to review the current incident and any threat it poses to UK public health." Meanwhile, a male British Airways cabin crew member is undergoing precautionary tests in a London hospital after falling ill with "flu-like" symptoms on a flight from Mexico City. He was taken to Northwick Park Hospital, in Harrow after landing at Heathrow airport at 1400 BST (1300 GMT) on Saturday [25 Apr 2009]. A hospital spokesman said: "He has flu-like symptoms and is responding well to treatment."The patient was admitted directly to a side room and the hospital is scrupulously following infection-control procedures to ensure there is no risk to any other individual in the hospital." [BBC Radio News at 0900 BST 26 Apr reported that the tests were negative. - Mod.SH] Antiviral drugs --------------- The HPA said there was currently a "very low level" of flu activity in the UK, adding that the H1N1 strain at the centre of the American alert was treatable with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu [oseltamivir] and Relenza [zanamivir]. "The HPA and the NHS have systems in place which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK," it said. Britons are not currently being advised to avoid travelling to affected areas of Mexico and the US. However, the Foreign Office recommends that anyone visiting those destinations -- or who has recently returned -- should consult a doctor if they experience flu-like symptoms. -- communicated by: ProMED-mail <[email protected]> [To summarize the latest findings since the last update: WHO is now following the guidelines established in the new International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), having convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee, defining the H1N1 (also known as "swine flu") outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern. The current pandemic alert phase is still at level 3 (see the chart with pandemic alert phases available at < [link to www.who.int] with a suggestion that this will be watched closely and may be altered depending upon how the situation progresses. In the USA, there have been cases identified in 2 additional states, New York City (in New York State) and in Kansas. In New York City, there has been an outbreak in a non-public school, with 8 probable cases out of about 200 children with an influenza like illness (ILI) -- these cases had influenza A viruses identified that did not match H1 and H3 human subtypes of influenza A by available testing methods, so they are considered probable cases of swine flu -- and in Kansas there have been 2 cases confirmed, one of whom recently travelled to Mexico. According to the CDC, as of 7 PM EDT (GMT -4), there have been 7 confirmed cases in California and 2 confirmed cases in Texas. With the addition of the 2 cases from Kansas, there have been 11 cases confirmed thus far by the CDC. All cases in the USA have been self limited with full recovery. In Mexico, the case count is now 1324 (from about 1000 less than 24 hours ago), with 81 reported deaths (up from 60 reported deaths less than 24 hours ago). Newswires describing the situation in Mexico are communicating panic with the addition of significant political overtones, and "spin doctors" are casting stones, blaming cover-ups and slow responses as responsible for the outbreak "escaping", and rumors of implicated swine production farms as the foci where the outbreak allegedly began -- an unfortunate situation that seems to repeat itself every time there is a major outbreak with many unknowns. From the information that is becoming available, it does appear as though there is significant human to human transmission ongoing of a novel influenza virus. That translates into a large pool of susceptibles for the virus to potentially infect. In the absence of a vaccine that will protect against this novel strain, it is unclear if any measures could have been effectively implemented that would have interrupted transmission earlier. A situation that appears to be a reminder that mother nature is still the most skilled bioterrorist out there. The suspected case in an airline cabin crew member in the UK, having just returned from Mexico, has -- it seems -- been discounted by initial tests. According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of the United Kingdom, as of 25 Apr 2009 there have not been any confirmed cases of this novel H1N1 virus infection in the UK and Europe (see < [link to www.hpa.org.uk] for the HPA update. That being said, there are still many unknowns -- will the transmission chain "burn out" on its own? Are the more severe cases and fatalities reported from Mexico an indication of a more pathogenic strain for young otherwise healthy individuals or are the reported deaths in individuals with underlying disease? - Mod.MPP] [see also: Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - N America (02) 20090425.1557 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - N America 20090425.1552 Acute respiratory disease - Mexico, swine virus susp 20090424.1546 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA (02): (CA, TX) 20090424.1541 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA: (CA) 20090422.1516 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - Spain 20090220.0715 2008 --- Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA (TX) 20081125.3715 2007 --- Influenza A (H2N3) virus, swine - USA 20071219.4079 2006 --- Influenza, swine, human - USA (IA): November 2006 20070108.0077] ........................lm/mpp/sh Last Edited by Inanna of Sumeria on 04/26/2009 11:22 AM
Inanna of Sumeria (OP) User ID: 664321 United States 04/26/2009 11:20 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: Int'l Society for Infectious Diseases - Reports: INFLUENZA A H1N1 VIRUS, SWINE, HUMAN - NORTH AMERICA . Last Edited by Inanna of Sumeria on 04/26/2009 11:20 AM
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