Newsletter 8 Januari 2010

New Issue
Quarantine at ports found ineffective against new flu
The number of people infected with new flu who passed undetected through airport quarantine between April last year, when the new strain of influenza began spreading, and May was about 14 times higher than the number of infected people stopped at the airports, according to a study carried out by Tokyo University.
The research results confirm anew that to prepare for an outbreak of new infectious diseases, such as bird flu, it is essential to take comprehensive countermeasures, such as having medical institutions prepare to treat large numbers of patients and closing schools, in addition to quarantine, from the early stage of proliferation of such a disease.
Source: The Yomiuri Shimbun
Read more: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20100108TDY02305.htm

Research
When should we intervene to control the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic?
H Sato ()1,2, H Nakada3,2, R Yamaguchi4,2, S Imoto4,2, S Miyano4, M Kami3
We simulated the early phase of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic and assessed the effectiveness of public health interventions in Japan. We show that the detection rate of border quarantine was low and the timing of the intervention was the most important factor involved in the control of the pandemic, with the maximum reduction in daily cases obtained after interventions started on day 6 or 11. Early interventions were not always effective.
Source: Eurosurveillance
Read more: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19455

Comment
Teaming Up with Olympians to Fight H1N1
Next month, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will begin in Canada. The world’s top athletes will gather in Vancouver, along with spectators from across the globe. These Games inspire all Americans to be physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
One immediate step that you can take to protect your health is to get your H1N1 flu vaccination. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls training for Vancouver are doing just that. Today, athletes, coaches, and staff who are Vancouver bound are getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the 2010 U.S. Cross Country Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. We urge all Americans to do the same and get their H1N1 vaccine.
Source: The White House Blog
Read more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/01/05/teaming-with-olympians-fight-h1n1

Risk Communication
To Reduce H1N1 Risk, Fly First Class
The perks of flying first class may include a reduced risk of acquiring H1N1 infection, according to a computer simulation of airborne transmission patterns within a large jet airliner.
Source: Medpage Today
Read more: http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/URItheFlu/17853

Photo
AP Photo
L.A. Checker Cab driver Bhupinder Singh receives an innoculation as others wait, right rear, during a program to provide free H1N1 flu vaccinations to taxicab drivers, at a holding lot at Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. The program is sponsored by Los Angeles' nine franchised taxicab companies. "This is for the drivers' protection and for the protection of the public," said Michael Calin, general manager of Bell Cab (not shown).
Source: Daylife
Read more: http://www.daylife.com/photo/06n4cEXfLbfTN?q=h1n1

Quote
"With the high number of patients awaiting H1N1 vaccination, health agencies simply cannot afford to allocate staff to clinic appointment scheduling".
SOURCE: Freshnews.com
Read more: http://www.freshnews.com/news/264306/emedischedulecom-provides-online-clinic-scheduling-delaware-general-health-district

News Flash
Cilacap, Central Java ::: Bird flu attacks backyard chickens
Bird Flu Information Corner
At least 50 backyard chickens belong to locals in Desa Karangmangu, Kecamatan Kroya found suddenly dead. Head of Agriculture and Livestock Service of Kabupaten Cilacap, Gunawan, confirmed those chickens had died of bird flu or avian influenza (AI) virus.
Read more: http://birdflucorner.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/cilacap-central-java-bird-flu-attacks-backyard-chickens/
Which animal species are most likely to get flu?
The Economist
THE scientific value of zoos is sometimes called into question, but Mark Schrenzel and Bruce Rideout, two experts on wildlife diseases who work at San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research, have just shown the value of having a wide range of animals to hand for study.
Read more: http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15211393
No U.S. decision on H1N1 vaccine orders: official
Reuters
The United States has not made a decision on whether to cancel or sell any of its orders for the H1N1 vaccine, unlike some countries in Europe, a federal health official said on Thursday.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6064WQ20100107?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FhealthNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Health+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
CDC hopes to prevent repeat of 1958 flu mortality surge
CIDRAP
Warning against complacency about H1N1 influenza, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said she doesn't want to see a repeat of what happened in 1957-58, when a perception that the pandemic was over was followed by a winter surge of flu- and pneumonia-related deaths.
Read more: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/jan0710cdc.html

Disclaimer: Newsletter ini hanya merupakan kumpulan dari artikel/liputan/tulisan yang diambil dari berbagai sumber mengenai situasi terkini pandemi influenza di seluruh dunia termasuk Indonesia. Namun demikian isi/ilustrasi/foto tidak mewakili kepentingan atau kebijakan KOMNAS FBPI secara langsung.