Pandemic News/Awareness.

indigo girl · Apr 19, 2007

Silence Over Bird Flu Worries WHO:

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2007/04/silence_over_bi.html

"In just one year, there could be multiple virus generations," Lo said. Since 23 out of 24 H5N1 virus human infection found in China were not preceded by poultry outbreaks, Lo believed chickens in China had already become "silent virus transmitters" even after being vaccinated.
"The central government has never provided a proper explanation to the query. Sometimes they are saying it is due to environmental factors and sometimes they say it is due to wild birds. But I think they are evading the real problem," Lo said.
As most chickens in China are vaccinated, Lo suggested there could be a problem with the quality of vaccines, allowing the virus to spread from poultry to humans quietly.

Human deaths not preceded by poultry outbreaks? What is wrong with this picture?

indigo girl · Apr 21, 2007

Bird Flu Found in North American Birds

An article on the low pathogenic form of H5N1 found in North America.

This is not exactly new information, and I have posted on this more

than once. H5N1 is tracked by a government agency because of the risk that it could evolve into a highly pathogenic form under the right conditions i.e. should domestic poultry become exposed. This is one reason for the biosecurity measures in the factory farms run by those famous name companies.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=77116&postcount=1

...A number of scientists suspect the low pathogenic H5N1 is a lot more prevalent in North American birds than is currently suspected, it just hasn't been found with such limited testing. Should the bad Asian version make it into North America this would give it an easy path to very quickly run rampant.
So what are the chances of the Asian variety coming onshore here? Many experts say that it's not a matter of if, but when. Billions are being spent here and abroad to prevent movement of the disease within the poultry industry but we're finding that's not the only avenue. Many wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl, are highly susceptible to Asian bird flu and may be the largest cause of its rapid spread across Asia, Russia, Europe and down into Africa.

And speaking of biosecurity measures in the poultry industry, take a look at the outcome of what happened in the UK. No need to comment further:

http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=136390

http://www.itv.com/news/54932be15e3a937a7433604aea83c4d2.html

indigo girl · Apr 21, 2007

Well worth reading, is the recently updated time line of H5N1 events from

the WHO:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/timeline_2007_04_20.pdf

(hat tip crofsblog)

pickledpepperRN · Apr 21, 2007

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2007

Nation Approves First H5N1 Vaccine for People

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week approved the nation’s first vaccine for people against the potentially fatal H5N1, or avian flu, virus.

The vaccine may provide early limited protection to individuals during a flu pandemic until a vaccine tailored to the particular pandemic strain could be developed and produced, FDA officials said. A clinical study found that 45 percent of individuals who received two doses of the vaccine developed antibodies at a level that is expected to reduce the risk of getting avian flu.

The vaccine is intended to immunize people from 18 to 64 years old who could be at higher risk of exposure to the H5N1 flu virus contained in the vaccine. Unlike the mild to serious symptoms caused by seasonal flu, the symptoms of the H5N1 virus are far more severe and can quickly cause life-threatening complications such as pneumonia and the failure of organs.

http://getreadyforflu.blogspot.com/2007/04/nation-approves-first-h5n1-vaccine-for.html

indigo girl · Apr 22, 2007

Thanks for bringing up this vaccine, spacenurse. There are some issues regarding this vaccine that the public should know. It is only the first vaccine. It will most likely be for the first responders, and those that all of us depend on for our safety. This vaccine is for the national stockpile.

It is only 45% effective, but better than nothing at all. I'm thinking that it may not protect you from getting H5N1, but that it may prevent fatality.

http://www.fda.gov/cber/products/h5n1san041707qa.htm

Here are the notes from the committee that voted on this vaccine for the national stockpile. They had to make a decision despite knowing that this is not the most protective vaccine, but it is what we have right now.

Be advised, if you have a short attention span, do not read this.

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/transcripts/2007-4282t1.htm

(hat tip PFIF/beehiver)

indigo girl · Apr 22, 2007

Kuwait again:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=77292&postcount=1

He said a radius of three kilometers from the infected area had been sealed and some 200 ostriches were being culled, as well as other birds in the area.
The committee is carrying out all measures as stipulated by the World Organization for Animal Health...

indigo girl · Apr 22, 2007

The WHO warns against using steroids for H5N1 patients:

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/apr2007treatment.html

In previous treatment advice in May 2006, the WHO warned against routine use of corticosteroids except in the context of randomized trials. In its new statement, the agency said corticosteroids have not been effective, "and prolonged or high-dose corticosteroids can result in serious adverse effects in H5N1 patients, including opportunistic infections. Corticosteroids should not be used routinely, except for persistent septic shock with suspected adrenal insufficiency."

indigo girl · Apr 23, 2007

This letter to HHS Secretary, Michael Leavitt, and Labor Secretary Elaine Choe was written in May 2006 addressing the concerns that HCW would not be adequately protected in a pandemic:

http://www.afscme.org/legislation-politics/10092.cfm

At the request of AFSCME, Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH), co-chairs of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, organized a bipartisan congressional letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao expressing serious concern about the lack of adequate planning and preparation for protecting health care workers and first responders in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. More than 80 House members signed the letter.

As we have learned from other emergencies, most recently from the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina, it is imperative that the health and safety of responders be an integral part of any national preparations. We should not wait until nurses experience a high rate of illness before we act to protect them from the risk of pandemic flu. Unfortunately, preparation thus far by both Departments fails to properly account for the risks of infection and implement a plan to minimize them.

(hat tip PFIF/Retired Paramedic MI)

pickledpepperRN · Apr 23, 2007

This letter to HHS Secretary, Michael Leavitt, and Labor Secretary Elaine Choe was written in May 2006 addressing the concerns that HCW would not be adequately protected in a pandemic:
http://www.afscme.org/legislation-politics/10092.cfm
At the request of AFSCME, Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH), co-chairs of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, organized a bipartisan congressional letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao expressing serious concern about the lack of adequate planning and preparation for protecting health care workers and first responders in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. More than 80 House members signed the letter.
(hat tip PFIF/Retired Paramedic MI)

Thank you. I just sent it to two people. One my friend and one in the Oakland office, secretary for the Joint Nursing Practice commission.

We have worked well with AFSCME at UCLA and I read about a good relationship with the Cook County nurses in Chicago.

indigo girl · Apr 24, 2007

Let's look at H5N1 in North America again. I have posted some of this

information before. Everyone believes that bird flu is far away in Asia or Africa amongst the poor farmers that live with their chickens.

There is evidence that it exists on this continent in its highly pathogenic form

(HPAI) via migratory birds. No one can deny that it is certainly here in several states in the low pathogenic form (LPAI) as the govt has a website tracking it on this continent. Why track the low path form? Because if domestic poultry are exposed to it, it can evolve into a highly pathogenic form, and possibly infect humans.

How to hide the evidence of HPAI? Act stupid. Hide behind privacy issues.

Call it something else. etc. etc.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=77563&postcount=58

indigo girl · Apr 24, 2007

Dealing With Pandemic Denial:

I could write a book, but I'll let Fla Medic say it for me.

http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2007/04/dealing-with-pandemic-denial.html

indigo girl · Apr 26, 2007

On Sentry Duty in Fight Against Avian Flu:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=77831&postcount=1

A small bird dies and within hours a concerned resident has called the authorities, which quickly set up a cordon around the dead creature as if dealing with the scene of a violent crime. Soon, health workers in protective garb remove the carcass for testing at a remote lab and set about disinfecting the site.
If, or when, the bird tests positive for H5N1, the flu virus that has prompted global fears of a looming pandemic, aviaries within a 3km radius are quickly closed to the public. Anyone who has had contact with the bird is tested by health officials.