New Issue
WHO experts to determine if worst of flu pandemic is over
GENEVA — The World Health Organisation said Thursday that its emergency panel of swine flu experts would meet this month to formally determine whether the pandemic has passed its peak.
"WHO will be asking the emergency committee to convene later this month to review the situation and provide the WHO with guidance on whether we are entering a post peak period," said Keiji Fukuda, Special Adviser to the WHO Director-General on Pandemic Influenza.
Source: AFP
Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hKd4gcAzqroGbNU1VBqzOjsV_N7g
Research
H1N1 patients required more intensive hospital care than typical flu patients
When compared to a typical flu, the H1N1 virus resulted in a higher proportion of patients requiring specialized hospital services—and affected younger people more—according to a new study released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
The study, H1N1 in Canada—A Context for Understanding Patients and Their Use of Hospital Services,is the first of its kind to examine at a pan-Canadian level how hospitalizations for H1N1 differed from hospitalizations associated with a typical flu. It compares Public Health Agency of Canada FluWatch analysis from April to December 2009 with CIHI hospital statistics for the baseline year 2007–2008. The comparison group included patients with influenza and/or pneumonia, the most common complication of influenza.
Source: Canadian Institute for Health Information
Read more: http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=media_20100211_e
Comment
Letter: Pharmacists to be first-line resource
As concern mounts about the fate of our national health care plan, and the population that will face the outcome of these policies, pharmacists will play a more active role in health care needs.
The role of pharmacists is not to count pills anymore, but to deliver a wide-range of services and advice to the public. As a student-pharmacist at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), I have been trained to give the H1N1 flu vaccine, the proper use and effectiveness of over-the-counter (OTC) products, explain what Medicare is, and how to find cost-effective plans, and take blood pressure. These are not arbitrary skills that I have acquired, but some of these are tools that I have seen pharmacists perform at the local pharmacy where I intern.
Pharmacists are also trained on whether or not to recommend OTC medications, or if a referral to a physician is best. A symptom that you are feeling may be associated with a medication you are on, an interaction with another drug, or another reason the pharmacist may be able to help you with, saving you from a trip to the physician's office.
Source: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
Read more: http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20100211/WRT06/2110692
Risk Communication
A Guide to Reporting on Crises
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), which aims to “raise the standards of journalism,” has just published a comprehensive guide for journalists called “Disaster and Crisis Coverage.” It offers detailed advice that you could apply to H1N1 or any other crisis.
The guide starts off with a reminder of journalism’s importance during a disaster:
Veteran journalist and consultant Michael Marcotte says a news organization plays four key roles during a crisis. It’s a vital information resource, telling what is happening where, who is affected, how things are changing, and why. It’s a communication lifeline, saving lives by relaying critical information to and from affected parties. It’s an early warning beacon, transmitting timely, reliable information that prevents harm. And it’s a community forum, giving citizens a way to come together, share concerns and support one another during difficult times. [...]
Source: Flu Portal Blog
Read more: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fluportalorg/~3/g1L9bOrCk_M/
Photo
Health workers at an NHS Direct call centre in south London. A swine flu hotline, launched seven months ago amid fears of a global pandemic of the virus, was switched off after a steady fall in the number of cases reported.
Source: (AFP/File/Peter Macdiarmid)
Quote
"Chan said 'ministers of health' should take advantage of the 'devastating impact' swine flu will have on poorer nations to get out the message that 'changes in the functioning of the global economy' are needed to 'distribute wealth on the basis of' values 'like community, solidarity, equity and social justice".
Source: Medical News Today
Read more: http://www.daylife.com/quote/01XE2DheXj9u3?q=swine+flu
News Flash
Emergency Service News
The National Pandemic Flu Service, set up to support the NHS in dispensing drugs to patients at the height of the pandemic, has closed today.
Read more: http://www.esnews.co.uk/?p=5753&mode=1
H1N1 Causes Severe Heart Inflammation
Medpage Today
Four children seen with H1N1 influenza infection at a San Diego hospital developed acute myocarditis, which killed one of them, researchers said.
Read more: http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/SwineFlu/18422
The Citizen
South Africans have been warned not to become complacent about swine flu as it remains a grave health threat around the world ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Read more: http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=115866,1,22
Hong Kong reports 68th fatal case of A/H1N1 flu
Xinhua
Hong Kong Hospital Authority announced Thursday that a 47-year-old male patient had died of A/ H1N1 flu-related disease, bringing the toll of ...
To Prevent Bird Flu, South Jakarta to Operate New Slauthering House
Berita Jakarta
As part of its efforts to curb the spread of bird flu in its area, West Jakarta Municipal Administration will operate a new chicken slaughtering house (RPA) located in Petukanganutara urban village in April. The house has a capacity of around 14,400 chickens a day.
Read more: http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspx?idwil=0&id=13780
Pandemic Preparedness Untested In Ontario Hospitals
Medical News Today
One quarter of Ontario hospitals surveyed in a Queen's University-led study do not have an influenza pandemic plan and few plans that do exist have been tested. In addition, key players were not involved in developing the plans, and funding for pandemic preparedness was inadequate.
Read more: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/178895.php
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
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