Newsletter 19 Januari 2010

New Issue

Nigeria Records First Swine Flu Death
From Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Steve Dada in Lagos, 01.19.2010
The Federal Ministry of Health yesterday warned the public to beware of the deadly HINI Influenza virus, commonly known as Swine flu, as Nigeria has officially recorded its first death from the pandemic.
Before the latest case, there was a suspected Swine Flu death in December last year but the victim had died before samples could be collected, according to the ministry.
Source: THISDAY People - African News on Global News
Korean scientists have identified a substance commonly used in traditional Oriental medicine that can destroy the A(H1N1) flu virus responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide last year, a local research institute said yesterday.
The Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) said the team led by Ma Jin-yeul, head of KIOM’s Oriental medicine convergence research center, extracted the material from natural substances widely used in traditional remedies.
The drug, known by its scientific name KIOM-C, was given to mice infected with the new flu virus, all traces of which vanished from the lungs of the test animals after nine days of treatment. Animals that received other drugs during the tests died.
Source: JoongAng Daily
Read more: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2915485

Comment

Swine flu: the real threat is mad scientist syndrome
Remember the warnings of 65,000 dead? Health chiefs should admit they were wrong yet again about a global pandemic
By Simon Jenkins/London
The “Andromeda strain” was stalking the earth, and its first victims were clearly scientists. Drugs were frantically stockpiled and key workers identified as vital to be saved for humanity’s future. Cobra alerted the army. Morgues were told to stand ready. The Green party blamed intensive pig farming. The Guardian listed “the top 10 plague books”.
If anyone dared question this drivel, they were dismissed by Donaldson as “extremists”. When people started reporting swine flu to be even milder than ordinary flu, he accused them of complacency and told them to “wait for next winter”. He was already buying 32mn masks and spending more than 1bn on Tamiflu and vaccines. Surgeries refused entry to those with flu symptoms, referring them to a government “hotline” where prescription drugs were ordered to be made available without examination or doctor’s note. Who knows how many died of undiagnosed illness as a result? Lines were instantly jammed. It was pure, systematic government-induced panic in which I accept that the media played its joyful part.
This week the authorities admitted that, far from a winter upturn in swine flu, there has been a slump. From 100,000 a week at the peak, there were just 12,000 last week. After the coldest winter for decades, when deaths might be expected to rise, the rate is below that of seasonal flu. In the UK, 360 people have died under its influence, most with prior “non-flu” conditions. Swine flu is not nice. I have had it but bears no relation to the government hysteria.
Source: Gulf Times

Read more: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=337821&version=1&template_id=46&parent_id=26


Risk Communication

China issues swine flu travel warning for Lunar New Year
BEIJING – China's health ministry has urged vulnerable groups to get swine flu vaccinations or limit travel during the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year holiday due to the spread of the A (H1N1) virus.
"Pregnant women, children, the elderly, obese people and those with chronic diseases should avoid public travel during the peak period of Spring Festival travel," the ministry said in a statement posted on its website late Wednesday.
Source: AFP
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/China+issues+swine+travel+warning+Lunar+Year/2441695/story.html


Photo

Two women wear face masks as they queue with other people outside Matei Bals hospital to take shots against the H1N1 flu virus in Bucharest, in this January 9, 2010 file photo.
Source: REUTERS/Radu Sigheti


Quote

"We are not out of the woods yet with this virus and it will be rather foolish for everyone to say 'That's it,' " said John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry in London. (Fading H1N1 scare leaves vaccine surplus).
Source: Seattle Times


News Flash

Flu pandemic remains moderate, easing in areas: WHO
Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, also said the H1N1 pandemic appeared to be easing in the northern hemisphere but could still cause infections until ...
Source: Reuters
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BL2ZT20100118

World tourism to rebound from crisis in 2010: UN
He cited the global economic crisis "aggravated by the uncertainty around the A(H1N1)pandemic." But he said "the trend is bottoming out. ...
Source: AFP
Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hsW-an_364vBjgVuNY93LF-21Xmw

New outbreak of H1N1 could occur in February (AsiaOne)
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Expressing worry about a sharp decline in the number of Taiwanese residents receiving H1N1 vaccinations, former Department of Health (DOH) Minister Yeh Chin-chuan warned Sunday that a new wave of outbreak of H1N1 flu could hit Taiwan in February.
Source: AsiaOne
Read more: http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20100118-192553.html

Influenza Vaccines - Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016
It is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% to reach $6.4 billion by 2016. This high growth forecast is primarily attributed to the increase in patient population, a result of increasing world population, and the need to get vaccinated each year.
Source: PR-inside.com
Read more: http://www.pr-inside.com/influenza-vaccines-pipeline-analysis-and-r1672218.htm

Taiwan records 10th H1N1 fatality involving pregnant woman
19 (CNA) Another pregnant woman in Taiwan has died of influenza A (H1N1) , bringing the total to 10 since the flu outbreak began, the Central Epidemic ...
Source: eTaiwan News
Read more: http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1159034〈=eng_news


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