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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
 Posted - 07/28/2009 : 20:18:39
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Anti-virals may not work for elderly A(H1N1) flu victims
London, July 28 (IANS) If the current A(H1N1) flu pandemic behaves like the 1918 flu, anti-viral treatment may not be very effective in the case of those above 65, according to the latest research.
Researchers found that, in this situation, it would not significantly reduce mortality among them and could lead to an increase in resistance.
Stefano Merler, from the Bruno Kessler Foundation in Italy, worked with researchers from the Instituto Superiore di Sanità to model the effect of anti-viral treatment on the spread of influenza.
"Although it is too early to confidently predict some important features of the ongoing influenza pandemic, the use of anti-virals is confirmed to be the most effective single intervention, in the absence of vaccines," Mr. Merler said.
"It requires, however, a very large stockpile of anti-viral drugs. Our work demonstrates that even in countries where the anti-viral stockpile is not sufficient to treat 25 percent of the population, the minimum level suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is possible to reduce morbidity and excess mortality by prioritizing the use of anti-virals by age".
Mr. Merler and his colleagues modelled the effects of flu outbreaks of varying virulence, and found that, depending on the behaviour of the virus, treatment of those aged over 65 years may not lead to any significant reduction in the cumulative number of cases.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 12:55:57
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H1N1 Update for 29th July, 2009
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20:2 IST
World Health Organization has reported 94,512 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection from 135 countries as on 6th July 2009. There have been 429 deaths. There is no further update.
Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 41,129 passengers have been screened on 28.7.2009 of which 29,242 passengers were from affected countries. 224 doctors and 112 paramedics are manning 81 counters at these airports. A cumulative total of 40, 07,854 passengers have been screened.
Twenty three positive cases are reported today: Delhi (5), Pune (11), Cochin (2), Calicut (1), Hyderabad (1), Chandigarh UT (1), Roorkee (1) and Gurgaon (1)
In Delhi out of the five cases, three [12/F, 12/F, 36/F,] are contacts of previously reported positive cases. The fourth case [52/M] travelled from Riyadh by Air India Flight AI 9826 reaching Delhi on 23/7/09. He reported with symptoms at the identified health facility on 28th July. The fifth case is a 26 year old female who travelled from Singapore by Jet Airways Flight 9W 0063 reaching Delhi on 21st July. She reported with symptoms at the identified health facility on 27th July.
In Pune, nine [9/M, 17/F, 15/M, 14/F, 30/F, 8/M, 7/M, 7/M, and 14/M] of the eleven cases are contacts of previously reported positive cases. The tenth case [21/M] travelled from U.K by Jet Airways Flight 9W 0119 reaching Mumbai on 21st July. Both his parents were also tested positive earlier. He reported with symptoms on 28th July. The eleventh case [38/M] travelled from London by Air India Flight AI 112 reaching Delhi on 16th July and proceeding to Pune by India Airlines Flight on 16th July. He reported on 28th July with symptoms of fever, body-ache, sore-throat since 22nd July.
The two cases in Cochin [37/F and 38/F] travelled from Toronto by Emirates Flight EK 532 transiting Dubai reaching Calicut on 26th July. They were detected with symptoms at the airport and admitted in the identified health facility.
The lone case [4/F] in Calicut is a contact case of previously reported positive case.
In Hyderabad the single case [41/M] travelled from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia by Arab Airlines Flight no. WY 835 reaching Hyderabad on 24th July 2009. He reported with symptoms on 27th July.
In Chandigarh the case [26/F] travelled from Singapore by Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 408 reaching Delhi on 24th July and proceeding on road to Mohali. She reported with symptoms on 27th July.
In Roorkee, the case [33/M] travelled from Jakarta via Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Airlines Flight no. MH 710 and MH 190 reaching Delhi on 23rd July and he further travelled by Taxi to Roorkee. He reported with symptoms on 24th July.
The case [31/F] in Gurgaon is a contact case of previously reported positive case
2252 persons have been tested so far out of which 498 are positive for Influenza A H1N1 [Swine]. 481 out of the 2252 persons have been identified through entry screening, 351 through contact tracing and the rest were self reported.
Of the 498 positive cases, 273 have been discharged. Rest of them remains admitted to the identified health facility.
The situation is being monitored.
DS
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2009 : 11:39:16
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H1N1 update for 30th July, 2009
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19:59 IST
World Health Organization has reported 94,512 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection from 135 countries as on 6th July 2009. There have been 429 deaths. There is no further update.
Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 43,609 passengers have been screened on 29.7.2009 of which 32,347 passengers were from affected countries. 224 doctors and 112 paramedics are manning 81 counters at these airports. A cumulative total of 40, 51463 passengers have been screened.
Eleven positive cases are reported today: Delhi (4), Pune (3), Calicut (2), Cochin (1), and Hyderabad (1)
In Delhi out of the four cases, three cases, [12/F, 12/M, 7/F,] are contacts of previously reported positive cases. The fourth case [12/M] travelled from Muscat, Oman by Oman Air Flight no WY0813 reaching Delhi on 28 July 2009.He was found to be symptomatic at the airport and was admitted to the identified health facility.
In Pune, all the three cases [11/F, 11/F, and 11/M] are contacts of previously reported positive cases.
Out of the two cases in Calicut, the first case is a 31 year old male who travelled from Georgia, US by Air India Flight AI 636 transiting Dubai and further travelled by Indian Airlines Flight IC 161 from Mumbai reaching Calicut on 24 July 2009. He self reported with symptoms and remains admitted to the identified health facility. The second case is a 31 year old male who travelled from Singapore by Silk Air Flight MI 468 reaching Calicut on 28 July 2009. He was found to be symptomatic at the airport and was admitted to the identified health facility
The lone case [20/M] in Cochin travelled from Singapore by Silk Air Flight MI 468 reaching Cochin on 22 July 2009.He developed symptoms on 27 July 2009 and was admitted to the identified health facility.
In Hyderabad the single case [5/M] is a contact of a previously reported positive case.
2326 persons have been tested so far out of which 509 are positive for Influenza A H1N1 [Swine]. 518 out of the 2326 persons have been identified through entry screening, 470 through contact tracing and the rest were self reported.
Of the 509 positive cases, 365 have been discharged. Rest of them remains admitted to the identified health facility.
The situation is being monitored.
DS/
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2009 : 11:13:54
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Dr. Neil Rau looks at the swine flu vaccine and why some groups are at a higher risk, such as those who are obese or pregnant, than others.
Swine flu Q and A: Who is most at risk and why?
Updated Sat. Aug. 1 2009 7:50 AM ET
Angela Mulholland and Dr. Neil Rau
While it's been four months since the world first heard of what we now know as swine flu, much remains unknown. Researchers remain puzzled about many aspects of this new virus -- most importantly, why it targets who it does. As public health officials around the world document the virus' patterns, those answers are starting to become clear. Here, CTV.ca with the help of infectious diseases expert, Dr. Neil Rau, reviews the emerging theories about how swine flu operates.
Is this a virus that primarily targets the young?
It would appear. Remember, there are still few published studies of this virus, but based on observations in North America, Europe, and now parts of the southern hemisphere, it appears that those over 50 rarely experience severe illness from this virus. Further evidence of this bug's unusual age profile as compared to seasonal flu can be found in the fact that school and camp-based outbreaks have been common while nursing home outbreaks have not been seen.
Early in this outbreak, an explanation began to emerge. Tests by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that those over 50 pre-existing antibodies that protected them against swine flu, with those over the age of 60 showing the highest levels of antibodies. Again, this is consistent with the age profile of those ill enough to be admitted to hospital with swine flu infection. Less than 20 per cent of those hospitalized in the early days were over 50. By contrast, in a typical flu season, more than 90 per cent of those hospitalized are older than 50.
An additional explanation as to why those over 50 are being largely spared suggests that exposure to any previous H1N1 virus in early childhood may offer protection from future H1N1 viruses, including swine flu. Before 1957, most predominant seasonal flu viruses were weakened H1N1 descendants of the 1918 Spanish flu strain. But after the H2N2 pandemic of 1957, things changed, and non-H1N1 flu viruses became the dominant strains causing seasonal flu, "crowding out" the old H1N1 viruses from circulation. Therefore, those born after 1957 did not experience much H1N1 infection in early childhood and may not be protected from future H1N1 to the same degree as those born before 1957.
Why are pregnant patients at higher risk of death?
We still don't have the full answer, but history appears to be repeating itself. During both the 1918 Spanish flu and the 1957 Asian flu pandemics, pregnant women - especially those in the third trimester -- were at a greater risk of death.
Even during seasonal flu, pregnant women - again, especially those in the third trimester -- are far more likely to be hospitalized for complications, compared to other reproductive-age women. Pregnancy is an immune-suppressed state so that the body won't reject a "foreign" presence - i.e. the fetus. So, it makes sense that the weakened immune system is then more susceptible to defend against infections such as the flu.
As well, a woman's diaphragm in the last stages of pregnancy is pushed upward, giving her a decreased remaining lung capacity for breathing. This might allow an additional assault on the lungs, such as flu, more dangerous.
Why are the obese at higher risk of severe illness?
The most commonly cited explanation for this one is that obesity often brings accompanying chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory problems, all of which would compromise the body's ability to fight infection. There is also the possibility that extra weight on the chest from obesity restricts the diaphragm, much as pregnancy does, making it harder to breathe and cough.
While these are plausible explanations, it should be noted that obesity has not been documented as a risk factor for severe seasonal flu.
There is an emerging new theory that obesity itself might increase susceptibility. Studies on obese mice have found the lab animals develop fewer virus-killing cells and chemicals when infected with flu, making their immune system slow to react. Not only do obese mice fail to fight off the virus, they also mount a futile, runaway immune response -- called a "cytokine storm" -- that actually kills the mice as "innocent bystanders" in the fight against the virus. It's far from clear whether the obese mouse study results apply to obese humans, but it is possible that properties of the fat cells in obese individuals inhibits their immune response and ability to fight flu.
Why are so many young people coming down with severe swine flu?
This remains the biggest mystery of this outbreak.
It could come down to the fact young healthy people comprise the largest group of people susceptible to this virus. Because this pandemic has spread most explosively in schools, young people have been exposed in disproportionate numbers. And because more young people are infected, more of the severe cases -- as well as more of the mild cases -- are occurring in this population.
What is known is that any young person with a chronic lung condition, such as asthma, can be severely sickened by swine flu. The flu makes a person's lungs more susceptible to pneumonia or other bacterial infections, a leading cause of death among those with seasonal flu. Those most vulnerable to such complications of seasonal flu are kids under two years old. Swine flu seems to mirror seasonal flu in this regard.
Are there worries swine flu could mutate to become more virulent?
No, there have been no signs of the swine flu virus mutating to cause more deaths or severe illness. Like any flu virus, this virus is expected to "drift" somewhat over time. Therefore, if it becomes established as a seasonal flu strain, future versions of vaccine may need to be adjusted. But historically, in flu pandemics, the impact of subsequent waves of a flu virus becomes weaker over time, as more people develop immunity and break the chain of spread.
The concern for the upcoming flu season in the northern hemisphere relates to the possibility that many have still not been exposed to the virus, and that even a small percentage of many vulnerable people may translate to a sizeable number of severely ill people. This did not happen during the first wave in the northern hemisphere this past spring, even in Mexico, where millions had to be infected to culminate in the number of deaths seen there.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2009 : 01:35:49
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Update on Influenza A (H1N1) as on 1st August 2009
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19:47 IST
World Health Organization has reported 94,512 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 51,367 passengers have been screened on 31.7.2009 of which 33,603 passengers were from affected countries. 224 doctors and 112 paramedics are manning 81 counters at these airports. A cumulative total of 41, 51,853 passengers have been screened.
Nine positive cases are reported today: Pune (8), Cochin (1)
Out of the eight cases in Pune, seven cases [14/F, 12/F, 14/F, 12/M, 13/F, 11/M and 11/M] are contacts of previously reported positive cases. The eighth case is a 3 year old male who travelled from New York, USA by Continental Airlines Flight CO 3375 reaching Mumbai on 21 July 2009 and further travelled by road on the same day to Pune. He developed symptoms on 29 July and was admitted to the identified health facility.
The lone case in Cochin is a 24 year old male who is a contact of a previously reported positive case.
2395 persons have been tested so far out of which 534 are positive for Influenza A H1N1 [Swine]. 540 out of the 2395 persons have been identified through entry screening, 504 through contact tracing and the rest were self reported.
Of the 534 positive cases, 422 have been discharged. Rest of them remains admitted to the identified health facility.
The situation is being monitored.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2009 : 09:47:25
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Update of influenza A [HINI] as on 3rd August, 2009
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19:59 IST
As on 27th July 2009 World Health Organization has reported 134503 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 and 816 deaths.
Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 49,631 passengers have been screened on 2.8.2009 of which 38,501 passengers were from affected countries. 224 doctors and 151 paramedics are manning 81 counters at these airports. A cumulative total of 42,51,586 passengers have been screened.
Seven positive cases are reported today: Delhi (2), Pune (3), Chennai (1) and Ahmedabad (1).
One 11 year old male, of the two cases in Delhi is a contact case of a previously reported positive case. The other case is a 21 year old male who travelled from Sharjah by Gulf Flight G90469 reaching Delhi on 1st August 2009. As he was found to be symptomatic at the airport, he was admitted in the identified health facility.
Of the three cases in Pune, two are school students who are contacts of the school children reported positive in earlier reports. The third case is a 26 year old male who travelled from Frankfurt to Mumbai, transiting Dubai (Emirate Flight EK 009/ 506). He self reported to the identified health facility in Pune with complaints of sore throat, fever and headache on 2.08.09 .
The case from Chennai is an eight year old male who travelled from Muscat by Oman Airways WY 0857 reaching Chennai on 29th July. He was detected at the airport screening and was admitted to identified hospital.
The case from Ahmedabad is a 27 year old female doctor working in Sola Civil Hospital Ahmedabad who was on the airport screening duty, reported with symptoms of influenza like illness on 30th July.
A 14 year old female student started having symptoms of sore-throat, runny nose, headaches on 21st July for which she consulted a General Practitioner and the general symptoms improved and attended school 23.07.09. She again developed fever on 25th for which she consulted another private practitioner. Her fever continued and she was admitted to a private Nursing Home , Pune on 27th July 2009. Patient’s condition worsened and was shifted to ICU and was put on Ventilator on 29th July 2009. Patient's lung aspirate was sent to NIV Pune on 31st July 2009 and was tested positive for Swine A (H1). Patient was put on Oseltamivir on 30th July 2009. Her condition deteriorated again with multi system involvement and expired on the evening of 03.08.09.
Three doctors and one nurse who developed respiratory symptoms have been treated with Oseltamivir. 85 hospital contacts have been put on prophylaxis. 31 contacts including 11 family contacts have also been put on chemoprophylaxis.
There was an outbreak of fever in the hostel of a Private School in Panchgani, Satara District, Maharashtra which was investigated by National Institute of Virology Pune on 23 rd July, 2009. About 90 children were affected by influenza like illness which was 1st reported in the 1st week of July. 17 of the above children were admitted in the School Hospital. 27 students of this school had travelled to USA to visit NASA and 10 students visited Holland, in the month of April and May, 2009. On examination majority of students had acute onset fever with cough, pain in throat, coryza etc. 10 of the 34 samples collected from them, tested positive for Swine H1. Further samples were taken from other schools in the area, six schools in all. Of the 127 samples collected between 26 and 29 July, 2009, 23 were tested positive. These are from 4 different schools. The District authorities have done the contact tracing and chemoprophylaxis has been provided to the contacts. The situation is being monitored.
2479 persons have been tested so far out of which 558 are positive for Influenza A H1N1 [Swine]. 567 out of the 2479 persons have been identified through entry screening, 536 through contact tracing and the rest were self reported.
Of the 558 positive cases, 470 have been discharged. One case has died. Rest of them remains admitted to the identified health facility.
The situation is being monitored.
DS/SK/Hb
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2009 : 09:51:58
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PUNE: India reported its first swine flu death after a 14-year-old girl student died in Pune on Monday, an official said.
The girl was on a ventilator for the past many days at an ICU in a hospital in Pune, the official said.
The girl named Riya Shiekh died at a private hospital in the city, according to reports.
India has over 500 swine flu cases with the Maharashtra city being the worst hit. The city has reported most of the cases in the country.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 02:53:35
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Swine-flu death: 'Negligence on part of hospital'
PTI 4 August 2009, 12:29pm IST
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MUMBAI: Terming the death of a swine-flu infected girl in Pune as "unfortunate", Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan has said negligence on part
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of the private hospital which treated the 14-year-old was to blame for it. ( Watch )
"This incident is really unfortunate. I feel there was total negligence on part of those who admitted her to the hospital and negligence on part of the hospital," the chief minister, who discussed the issue with senior health officials here on Monday night, said.
Health authorities would also inquire the reasons as to why proper treatment was not being given to the patient, he said.
The victim, Reeda Shaikh, died at Pune's Jehangir Hospital on Monday, becoming India's first swine flu fatality.
The girl was admitted to the private hospital a week ago with symptoms of the disease.
Chavan also appealed people to co-operate with the health officials and not fall prey to any rumours.
He directed officials to take all possible steps to effectively deal with the swine flu cases that has crossed the 100 mark in Maharashtra, most of them being from Pune. |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 11:09:10
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Maharashtra invokes Epidemic Act to check H1N1 flu
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government on Tuesday invoked the Epidemic Act in Pune and Satara districts to check the spread of H1N1 flu, a day after a 14-year-old Pune school girl died of the influenza virus.
"The Act has been invoked to prevent spread of this air-borne A(H1N1) virus in the two districts (Pune and Panchgani) where 127 cases have been reported," a senior official in Maharashtra Health Directorate, Dr. Pradeep Awate told PTI from Pune.
A total of 150 cases of H1N1 flu have been reported in the State so far since April when the epidemic broke out in Mexico and the U.S., he said.
"We are asking all the patients to get admitted in government hospitals and people should not go to private hospitals. Also, the private hospitals should not take any suspected patients as they do not have any right to do tests unless they take permission from the government," he said.
If the private hospitals do not follow this mandatory steps, severe action will be taken against them, Dr. Awate said.
Reedal Shaikh, a class IX student of St. Anne's High School in Pune, died at the Jahangir Hospital, making her India's first H1N1 flu fatality.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 22:32:42
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A(H1N1) flu death toll rises to 1,154, says WHO
GENEVA (AP): The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that 1,154 A(H1N1) victims have died since the virus emerged in April.
WHO said that includes 338 deaths reported in the week leading up to last Friday.
More than 300 of the new deaths were in the Americas, bringing the death toll in that region to 1,008 since the virus first emerged in Mexico and the United States, and developed into the global epidemic.
WHO also said there is no evidence that the new H1N1 virus is mutating into a more dangerous form, but that six patients have been found with a virus resistant to Tamiflu, the most commonly used A(H1N1) flu drug.
Laboratory confirmed cases of the disease have reached 162,380, but WHO said this number understates the total caseload because hard-hit countries are no longer testing all the people with flu symptoms.
At least 168 countries and territories have reported confirmed A(H1N1) flu cases.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 22:41:02
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Swine flu: Govt fears surge, announces fresh guidelines
Kounteya Sinha, TNN 5 August 2009, 03:00am IST
NEW DELHI: India, which has 574 positive cases of H1N1 infection, expects the number to rocket over the next few months.
The health ministry on Tuesday said that August marked the start of the country's six-month long seasonal influenza period during which time the deadly H1N1 influenza virus would spread faster among people.
The WHO has already designated the present outbreak of H1N1 as the planet's fastest-moving pandemic. The virus has spread as much in less than six weeks as past pandemic flu viruses spread in more than six months.
Jolted by India's first death due to H1N1 in Pune added with strong fears that the number of people with flu like symptoms would increase by over 10 times in the next few weeks, the health ministry on Tuesday modified its testing guidelines that would make largescale sample collection, its testing and subsequent isolation of H1N1 positive cases simpler.
Joint secretary Vineet Chaudhury said, "With the seasonal influenza season setting in with the consequence that many more people would report sick with symptoms and would require to be tested, we have made testing guidelines simpler."
According to the new guidelines, testing for H1N1 will only be done in designated government health facilities. Private hospitals or labs cannot test patients for H1N1. It will also be mandatory for only those patients with severe flu like symptoms to get hospitalised. Those who show mild flu symptoms and whose swab tests later test positive for H1N1 influenza will be given the option of being treated at home rather than getting admitted in a hospital.
Chaudhury said, "Under the new guidelines, any person with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold and running nose will have to go only to a designated government facility for testing.
After clinical assessment, the designated medical officer will decide whether the symptoms require sample collection and testing. Once samples are collected, the patient will be allowed to go home (this was not allowed under the existing guidelines).
The sample of the suspect case will be sent to the notified laboratory for testing. If tested as positive for H1N1 and in case the symptoms are mild, the patient will be informed and given the option of admission to hospital or isolation and treatment in his/her own home.
In case the patient opts for home isolation and treatment, he/she will be provided with detailed guidelines and safety measures that need to be strictly adhered to by the entire household of the patient.
The family will then have to provide full contact details of the entire household. The household and social contacts of the infected patient will then be administered with a prophylaxis case of Tamilfu.
Chaudhury said, "We are expecting a large number of people to report with flu like symptoms in the next few months. People are also apprehensive about getting tested. We will therefore allow patients to go home until tests show they are severe."
He added, "A patient has the right to go to hospital to get tested. But patients don't have the right to demand for a test if the doctor there feels is unnecessary. A negative test costs the government Rs 5,000 per sample and a positive test costs Rs 10,000 per sample. The decision of the doctor will be final."
The present guidelines stipulate the patient needs to be kept in an isolation facility in a hospital while the samples are being tested. There is however no change in the guidelines meant for passengers arriving at airports with flu like symptoms.
The central government plans to call a meeting of major private hospitals |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 01:38:11
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Fatal illnesses could be misdiagnosed over telephone as swine flu, GPs warn
(PA)
Callum Meaker had kidney infection but his mother, Karen Sarkozi, was told it was swine flu Sam Lister, Health Editor 2 Comments
Recommend? (1) Serious health problems including kidney infections, meningitis and measles are being missed because the conditions are being misdiagnosed over the telephone as swine flu.
A teenager spent six days in hospital recovering from a kidney infection after initially being told he was suffering from the H1N1 virus, it emerged yesterday. Doctors have reported seeing people with severe cases of tonsillitis, measles and even a knee infection who had received telephone misdiagnoses of swine flu and being put on courses of the antiviral drug Tamiflu.
A survey of 251 family doctors, published today, shows that 90 per cent believe that other diseases risk going undetected because their symptoms are similar to those caused by swine flu. Responses to the poll, carried out by GP newspaper, included warnings that deaths were likely as a result.
The warnings follow the case of Callum Meaker, 13, who became severely ill with a kidney infection after it was diagnosed over the phone as a probable H1N1 infection by Frendoc, an out-of-hours GP service in southwest England.
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Callum, who lives near Bristol, had developed a temperature and suffered aches and dizziness, prompting the diagnosis. His mother, Karen Sarkozi, said that she had called the National Pandemic Flu Service , which had instructed her to contact her GP. On calling Frendoc she was told that a doctor’s visit was not possible, and that her son should be left to rest and recuperate while taking Tamiflu.
Ms Sarkozi said that her son’s temperature reached more than 104F (40C). He was suffering from a headache and shortness of breath and was unable to focus his sight, but at no point had a cough or the symptoms of a cold. She said that only after she persisted with the NHS was he eventually referred to Bristol Children’s Hospital where he was found to have a kidney infection. He spent six days on intravenous antibiotics before being discharged.
“They are saying everything is swine flu and serious illnesses are being overlooked,” Ms Sarkozi told the Bristol Evening Post. “If a parent thinks more is wrong with their child, they should push for a doctor.”
Concerns about misdiagnosis were also raised by doctors in the GP poll on use of the National Pandemic Flu Service telephone and website services, which have been in operation for a fortnight. Half of doctors surveyed in the five days to Monday said that their workloads had diminished since its introduction.
One GP reported seeing a case of measles that had been diagnosed over the phone as swine flu, while another said that he had seen two patients with severe tonsillitis and one with a knee infection who had been prescribed Tamiflu.
Asked the question, “Does diagnosing swine flu over the phone mean other diseases may be missed?”, another responded: “Without question. The symptoms are so vague and wideranging, swine flu can masquerade as a vast array of other diseases.”
Another said: “A death will occur from meningitis.” Yet another said: “Patients are making up symptoms in order to get Tamiflu and, for example, meningitis or tonsillitis or bronchitis/pneumonia may be missed.”
About 150,000 people received Tamiflu via the National Pandemic Flu Service in its first week of operation.
The Government said last week that the number of swine flu cases “may have plateaued”, with 110,000 new cases in England in the last week of July. The figure represented a 10 per cent rise on the previous week.
South Gloucestershire — where Callum Meaker received treatment — was sixth-highest region for phone and internet diagnoses of swine flu.
Chris Payne, the director of public health for South Gloucestershire, said yesterday that the health authority would be investigating Callum’s case. “It can be difficult to diagnose some illnesses if they present with flu-like symptoms,” he said. “It is therefore very important that parents act on the national guidance which advises them to contact their GP if their child’s illness is still getting worse after five days. My advice is also that parents should ring their GP sooner if there are any particularly worrying symptoms.”
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 07:25:23
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Swine flu panic grips Pune, hundreds throng sole testing centre
IANS 5 August 2009, 05:07pm IST
PUNE: Two days after a schoolgirl succumbed to influenza A(H1N1) in this Maharashtra city, hundreds of people - young and old – on Wednesday thronged the only swine flu testing centre here, leading to chaos at the hospital.
Serpentine queues of people wearing handgloves and sergical masks were seen outside the Naidu Hospital. A scuffle broke out in the crowd as people jostled to get themselves checked by doctors to prevent the disease.
"Yes, hundreds of people came to our hospital. Since Tuesday evening, there is a rush," said Sanjay Walehker, an official at the epidemic helpline in the Naidu Hospital.
"Till afternoon today, more than 500 people have visited us. They are not patients but are scared of swine flu. Most of them are suffering from normal flu as it is the rainy season. They voluntarily came for testing," Walehker said.
Another official at the hospital said there was chaos in the morning as the hospital authorities were not prepared to handle such a huge number of people. Nurses, paramedics and doctors were swamped by patients.
"We have now deployed around 15 doctors to take care of the voluntary patients," the official said.
Police were also called in to control the crowds outside the hospital. Policemen were seen patrolling the streets leading to the hospital, wearing masks and handgloves.
Rida Shaikh, 14, died at the Jehangir Hospital in Pune Monday. She was suffering from the influenza A(H1N1) for almost a fortnight, but was not diagnosed on time. Her parents allege that her death was due to "delayed treatment" and it is a case of medical negligence on the part of the private hospital where she was admitted.
The Maharashtra government has already declared the Pune-Satara belt of the state pandemic hit as over 150 people have been diagnosed there with swine flu. Pune, known as an educational hub across the country, has alone registered 113 cases, of which at least 75 are school students.
Till Tuesday India had reported 574 cases of swine flu. Of them over 470 have already been discharged from hospitals.
Walehker said there is a panic in parts of the city after the schoolgirl died - the first swine flu death in the country.
"There is a scare in parts of the city, mainly in the Cantonment area where the Naidu Hospital is located. Students are certainly scared after the incident," Pankaj Bedi, an NGO worker, said. Rida Shaikh was a resident of the Cantonment area.
"Yes, it's a concern but all are not scared as shown on some TV channels," he added.
Concerned over the first swine flu death in the country, the health ministry has issued a fresh set of guidelines. The revised guidelines followed fears that people would be kept in isolation wards in hospitals for treatment.
"In case the patient decides for home isolation, he or she would be provided with detailed guidelines to be followed by the entire household," Vineet Chawdhry, joint secretary of health, said on Tuesday.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 07:29:50
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THE H1N1 SWINE FLU PANDEMIC. SELECTED ARTICLES, NEWS REPORTS, ANALYSIS AND VIDEOS (SCROLL DOWN)
Global Research Editor's Note
We bring to the attention of our readers a collection of in-depth reports and articles on the H1N1 Flu Pandemic, published by Global Research since the outbreak of the crisis in Mexico in April.
"The U.S. expects to have 160 million doses of swine flu vaccine available sometime in October", (Associated Press, 23 July 2009)
"Vaccine makers could produce 4.9 billion pandemic flu shots per year in the best-case scenario", Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO), quoted by Reuters, 21 July 2009)
Wealthier countries such as the U.S. and Britain will pay just under $10 per dose [of the H1N1 flu vaccine]. ... Developing countries will pay a lower price." [circa $400 billion for Big Pharma] (Business Week, July 2009)
The Worldwide H1N1 swine flu pandemic serves to mislead public opinion.
The 2009 pandemic, which started in Mexico in April, is timely: it coincides with a deepening economic depression. It takes place at a time of military escalation.
The epidemiological data is fabricated, falsified and manipulated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an epidemic of worldwide proportions now looms and threatens the livelihood of "2 billion people [who] could become infected over the next two years — nearly one-third of the world population." (World Health Organization as reported by the Western media, July 2009). According to the Obama adminstration, the "swine flu could strike up to 40 percent of Americans ... and as many as several hundred thousand could die if a vaccine campaign and other measures aren't successful." (Official Statement of the US Administration, Associated Press, 24 July 2009).
These statements serve to mislead public opinion. There is ample evidence, documented in numerous reports, that the WHO's level 6 pandemic alert is based on fabricated evidence and a manipulation of the figures on mortality and morbidity resulting from the N1H1 swine flu.
The Pandemic serves the interests of Big Pharma. The WHO is planning for the production of 4.9 billion dose, enough to inoculate a large share of the World's population. Big Pharma including Baxter, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and AstraZeneca have signed procurement contracts with some 50 governments. (Reuters, July 16, 2009). For these companies, compulsory vaccination is a highly lucrative undertaking:
The Role of the Military
According to CNN, the Pentagon is "to establish regional teams of military personnel to assist civilian authorities in the event of a significant outbreak of the H1N1 virus this fall, according to Defense Department officials."
"The proposal is awaiting final approval from Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The officials would not be identified because the proposal from U.S. Northern Command's Gen. Victor Renuart has not been approved by the secretary.
The plan calls for military task forces to work in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There is no final decision on how the military effort would be manned, but one source said it would likely include personnel from all branches of the military.
It has yet to be determined how many troops would be needed and whether they would come from the active duty or the National Guard and Reserve forces.
Civilian authorities would lead any relief efforts in the event of a major outbreak, the official said. The military, as they would for a natural disaster or other significant emergency situation, could provide support and fulfill any tasks that civilian authorities could not, such as air transport or testing of large numbers of viral samples from infected patients.
As a first step, Gates is being asked to sign a so-called "execution order" that would authorize the military to begin to conduct the detailed planning to execute the proposed plan.
Orders to deploy actual forces would be reviewed later, depending on how much of a health threat the flu poses this fall, the officials said." (CNN, Military planning for possible H1N1 outbreak, July 2009, emphasis added)
The implications are far-reaching.
The decision points towards the militarization of civilian institutions, including law enforcement and public health.
A nationwide vaccination program is already planned for the Fall.
The pharmaceutical industry is slated to deliver 160 million vaccine doses by the Fall, enough doses to vaccinate more than half of America's population.
The Pentagon is already planning on the number of troops to be deployed,. with a view to supporting a mass vaccinaiton program.
It is worth noting that this involvement of the military is not being decided by the President, but by the Secretary of Defense, which suggests that the Pentagon is, in a key issue of of national interest, overriding the President and Commander in Chief. The US Congress has not been consulted on the issue.
This decision to mobilise the Armed Forces in the vaccination campaign is taken in anticipation of a national emergency. Although no national emergency has been called, the presumption is that a national public health emergency will occur, using the WHO Level 6 Pandemic as a pretext and a justification.
Other countries, including Canada, the UK and France may follow suit, calling upon their Armed Forces to play a role in support of the H1N1 vaccination program.
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Edited by - S.ravi on 08/05/2009 07:31:15 |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 07:34:24
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People throng hospital for A(H1N1) tests, two more cases confirmed
Pune (PTI): After the city reported the country's first A(H1N1) flu death, hundreds of people today thronged a civic hospital to get themselves tested for the virus even as two more cases of A(H1N1) infection were confirmed taking the total number of patients here to 109.
Wearing surgical masks, a large number of people queued up at the Naidu Hospital, the main referral centre for treating H1NI infection, leading to chaos which forced the authorities to call in police.
A 14-year-old school girl died here due to A(H1N1) flu on Tuesday.
A large number of anxious parents with their children have been visiting the hospital since then to get tested for the virus, hospital sources said.
The samples collected at the hospital are sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for further examination, they said.
Meanwhile, two fresh cases of A(H1N1) flu were registered in the city taking the total number of A(H1N1) positive infection in Pune to 109.
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'Swine flu more dangerous than bird flu'
