Search

The complexities of planning for and responding to the emergence of novel influenza viruses emphasize the need for systematic frameworks to describe the progression of the event; weigh the risk of emergence and potential public health impact; evaluate transmissibility, antiviral resistance, and severity; and make decisions about interventions. On the basis of experience from recent influenza responses, CDC has updated its framework to describe influenza pandemic progression using six intervals (two prepandemic and four pandemic intervals) and eight domains. This updated framework can be used for influenza pandemic planning and serves as recommendations for risk assessment, decision-making, and action in the United States. The updated framework replaces the U.S. federal government stages from the 2006 implementation plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza (US Homeland Security Council. National strategy for pandemic influenza: implementation plan. Washington, DC: US Homeland Security Council; 2006. Available at http://www.flu.gov/planning-preparedness/federal/pandemic-influenza-implementation.pdf ). The six intervals of the updated framework are as follows: 1) investigation of cases of novel influenza, 2) recognition of increased potential for ongoing transmission, 3) initiation of a pandemic wave, 4) acceleration of a pandemic wave, 5) deceleration of a pandemic wave, and 6) preparation for future pandemic waves. The following eight domains are used to organize response efforts within each interval: incident management, surveillance and epidemiology, laboratory, community mitigation, medical care and countermeasures, vaccine, risk communications, and state/local coordination. Compared with the previous U.S. government stages, this updated framework provides greater detail and clarity regarding the potential timing of key decisions and actions aimed at slowing the spread and mitigating the impact of an emerging pandemic. Use of this updated framework is anticipated to improve pandemic preparedness and response in the United States. Activities and decisions during a response are event-specific. These intervals serve as a reference for public health decision-making by federal, state, and local health authorities in the United States during an influenza pandemic and are not meant to be prescriptive or comprehensive. This framework incorporates information from newly developed tools for pandemic planning and response, including the Influenza Risk Assessment Tool and the Pandemic Severity Assessment Framework, and has been aligned with the pandemic phases restructured in 2013 by the World Health Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El autoaprendizaje en la Red requiere de una fuerte determinación que sostenga el esfuerzo en solitario a lo largo de décadas. Para ello se necesita el acicate de preguntas interesantes y relevantes. En este caso se analiza a fondo el proceso de autoformación en torno a la gripe A, en un proceso concentrado en una semana que se ha extendido después por meses y probablemente no acabe nunca. Es un ejemplo práctico que demuestra las posibilidades que ofrece la Red, siempre disponible y accesible. Se requiere la forma- ción básica que tienen todos los médicos, cierta capacidad de trabajo y una buena conexión a la Red, obviamente. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report provides recommendations by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of vaccine against infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. Information on vaccination for seasonal influenza has been published previously (CDC. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP], 2009. MMWR 2009;58[No. RR-8]). Vaccines against novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have not yet been licensed; however, licensed vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October 2009. On July 29, 2009, ACIP reviewed epidemiologic and clinical data to determine which population groups should be targeted initially for vaccination. ACIP also considered the projected vaccine supply likely to be available when vaccine is first available and the expected increase in vaccine availability during the following 6 months. These recommendations are intended to provide vaccination programs and providers with information to assist in planning and to alert providers and the public about target groups comprising an estimated 159 million persons who are recommended to be first to receive influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine. The guiding principle of these recommendations is to vaccinate as many persons as possible as quickly as possible. Vaccination efforts should begin as soon as vaccine is available. State and local health officials and vaccination providers should make decisions about vaccine administration and distribution in accordance with state and local conditions. Highlights of these recommendations include 1) the identification of five initial target groups for vaccination efforts (pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, children and young adults aged 6 months-24 years, and persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications), 2) establishment of priority for a subset of persons within the initial target groups in the event that initial vaccine availability is unable to meet demand, and 3) guidance on use of vaccine in other adult population groups as vaccine availability increases. Vaccination and health-care providers should be alert to announcements and additional information from state and local health departments and CDC concerning vaccination against novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Additional information is available from state and local health departments and from CDC's influenza website (http://www.cdc.gov/flu). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the management of swine respiratory disease (SRD) in the pork industry in the U.S. Topics discussed include viral respiratory infection such as Influenza A virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) which were involved in the presentation of SRD, the complex interaction among SRD host, management, and infectious agents, and the implementation of measurement techniques in swine medicine to provide effective evidence-based medicine for SRD.

The article reports on the concern of U.S federal and local health offers over the spread of influenza A/H3N2 variant virus.

The article presents study conducted by the University of Minnesota related to the role of different pig subpopulations in supporting influenza infections. Topics discussed include selection of five commercial pig-breeding herds to conduct study; use of real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in the research; recommendation that influenza A virus control strategies be aimed at preventing infection before gilts are introduced into the farm and in pigs prior to weaning.

The article discusses ways the public can reduce or prevent the spread of the influenza virus. The 2012-2013 influenza season was considered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the one of the worst influenza outbreaks in nearly a decade. Yearly flu vaccination is considered the best way to protect oneself from the flu. Individuals who are 6 months and older are advised to consider vaccination before the flu season begins.

The article offers information on the Influenza A viruses. Topics discussed include IAV screening Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test used for humans in the U.S., efforts undertaken by pork producers, swine veterinarians and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on diversity of influenza A viruses of swine and importance of characterizing the virus to determine the colors.

The author reflects on the global pandemic of the novel influenza A H1N1 virus.

The article offers a look at the drug therapy available for influenza A(H1N1) virus in children, including oseltamivir and zanamivir.

The article considers the measures taken by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the increasing number of influenza A (H1N1) case counts in the country.

The article reports on the identification of influenza A virus with serotype H5N1. During the outbreak in 1997, 17 additional human patients were recorded due to infection from ducks or chickens. The H5N1 strain reemerged in Hong Kong in mid-February 2003. According to the article, avian influenza is caused by specified viruses that are members of the family Orthomyxoviridae and genus Influenza virus A.

The article focuses on a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in the periodical "Clinical Infectious Diseases," which states that influenza A and influenza B had similar clinical outcomes and characteristics.

The article reports that scientists are to resume research into how the deadly Hemagglutin Type 5 and Neraminadise Type 1 (H5N1) avian flu virus might mutate and spread among humans.It informs that a letter signed by 50 scientists was published in the journals "Nature" and "Science" declaring an end to a 12-month voluntary moratorium. The article also mentions that the research has stopped amid concerns that modified viruses could escape from laboratories.

The article focuses on a study which identified the effectiveness of suboptimal vaccine against influenza A/H3N2 virus during the 2010-2011 winter season.

The article reports on the significant increase in the number of influenza A/H3N2 variant cases in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) press briefing.

The article focuses on a report from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) which showed that there were 12 cases of human infections with influenza a (H3N2) variant viruses in the last four months of 2011.

The article reports that the World Health Organization is concerned about a potentially lethal strain of laboratory-made H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The article discusses the controversy surrounding the creation of an avian influenza virus, labeled A(H5Ni), by two separate virology teams, including a team led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and one led by Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Topics include the virulence of the virus, a debate over who should have access to the details of the work, and fears of bioterrorism.

The article reports on the link of the 2009 influenza A pandemic to the increase of hospitalizations due to pneumococcal pneumonia in the U.S.

The article discusses a study which revealed that influenza A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 viruses could co-circulate.

The article reports that findings published in a "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report," have revealed that 2009 influenza A led to more severe illness and disproportionately affected hospitalizations among ethnic minorities in Utah when compared with seasonal influenza.

The article discusses the use of emails targeted at nurses which attempt to claim that the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is unsafe. According to the director of flu resilience at the strategic health authority (SHA), NHS trusts are being encouraged to counter the emails by providing nurses with evidence-based information regarding the safety of the influenza A vaccine.

This article deals with the debate surrounding the recommended 48-hour window in which to start antiviral therapy for the treatment of influenza A virus.

This article focuses on concurrent studies conducted in Canada and Mexico which examined critical illness among children with influenza A infection.

The article speculates on the possible prevalence of influenza A H1N1 in pregnant women.

The article reports on the shortage in vaccine supplies for influenza A (H1N1) prevention in the U.S. It notes that the health officials plan to immunize 160 million priority people in October 2009 for the winter flu season, but the said vaccine supplies will be limited. The said shortage was attributed from a slow-growing virus that is used in making the vaccines. Meantime, National Institutes of Health is (NIH) in the process of conducting clinical trials for the vaccine's safety and dosage.

The article emphasizes the health significance of hand washing. An overview of the prevalence of the influenza A (H1N1) virus between mid-April and May 19, 2009 is presented. The author revealed the noncompliance of health care providers to proper hand washing, despite their knowledge of its benefits. He argued that despite the claims that clinicians are busy and sometimes forget to wash their hands and that handwashing dries out the skin, most of the acquired infection can be avoided if hospitals will improve hand hygiene.

The article reports on the success of a team of Australian researchers in creating an easily administered vaccine effective against the wide range of influenza strains. The team from the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University reported that an intranasal administration of purified gamma-ray inactivated human Influenza A virus preparations effectively induces heterotypic and cross-protective immunity.

This article discusses research being done on the effectiveness of handwashing in reducing the spread of influenza A virus.

The article reports that officials confirmed that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus was the cause of deaths of fowl in the southern part of Togo. According to a statement issued by Togo's agriculture and livestock minister Kossi Messan Ewovor, dead fowls were found positive for H5N1 virus. The H5N1 virus outbreak occurred in a poultry farm in the village of Agbata.

The article focuses on the conclusion reached by a team of Dutch doctors that oseltamivir-resistant influenza A(H1N1) viruses can cause disease despite results from animal studies that showed the resistance mutation made the virus less dangerous. The researchers cited a case involving a 67-year-old man who was undergoing chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and who died a month after initially being admitted to the hospital with symptoms of H1N1 infection.

The article focuses on an oseltamivir-resistant variant of influenza A H1N1 virus documented by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Officials from the Centre gathered samples of H1N1 isolates from 19 countries from November 2007 to January 2008. Resistant isolates were discovered in Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, the U.S. and Finland. The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement concerning the resistant variant.

The article reports on the investigation on the source of H5N1 avian flu outbreak being conducted by German officials. It says that German officials have admitted that infected ducks may have entered the food chain. According to Roland Eichhorn of the Bavarian Consumer Affairs Ministry, the meat of frozen ducks at a processing plant poses no danger to the consumer when casseroled. It mentions that the discovery came after birds were found to have antibodies indicating exposure to the virus.