Newsletter 18 Februari 2010

New Issue
H1N1 flu has hit kids with neuromuscular disorders especially hard

Derek Collette, 13, who has cerebral palsy, winces with pain as his mother Christina Collette helps lift him out of bed in the morning. Derek has been largely confined to a wheelchair and unable to go to school since he had the flu in May 2009. [...]
Source: USA TODAY
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/yj8zmje

Research
Flu-induced stress response is critical for resistance to secondary infection
A new study reveals how infection with the influenza virus impacts the way that the immune system responds to subsequent infections. The research, published by Cell Press in the February 18th issue of the journal Cell Host and Microbe, provides a new understanding of the physiological and pathological consequences of the flu.
Much of what is known about how the immune system protects against infection comes from studies examining exposure to a single pathogen. However, in the natural environment, organisms are commonly exposed to multiple infectious agents at the same time, so it is important to determine how the host's response to one pathogen alters its response to another. This is particularly relevant for infection with influenza because it is often accompanied by secondary bacterial infections that are more lethal that the initial viral infection.
"Several studies have demonstrated that infection with influenza virus can result in a suppression of the immune system," explains senior study author, Dr. Ruslan Medzhitov from the Department of Immunology at the Yale University School of Medicine. "However, these studies focused primarily on the local effects of influenza at the site of infection. The effect of influenza virus infection on the systemic immune response is less well understood."[...]
Source: Eurekalert
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/ydl9v6k

Comment
When swine flu pandemic hits home
By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY
Joan Bishop's thoughts trend toward disaster. Earthquakes, hurricanes, "dirty bombs," weapons of mass destruction, killer pandemics — she has studied them all.
But Bishop, 46, of Fairfax, Va., says her expertise did little to stop the H1N1 pandemic from landing on her doorstep. Despite taking all the recommended precautions, two of her three daughters, Beri, 10, and Bailey, 13, contracted swine flu. Each posed a different challenge because their unique risks — Beri's autism and epilepsy and Bailey's asthma — made them more difficult to treat.
What's more, Bishop says, her expertise intensified her concerns about her children.
"I know too much," she says. [...]
Source: USA Today
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/ykmwz44

Risk Communication
Health officials: Don't forget 2nd dose of H1N1 vaccine
If your child had a first dose of the H1N1 vaccine, but didn't get the second dose, you'll be getting a phone call if you live in Salt Lake County.
Officials at the Salt Lake Valley Health Department say more than 16,600 local children are overdue for the second vaccine dose required to protect them from the H1N1 virus, so they began making "reminder calls" this week. [...]
Source: deseretnews.com
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/ybcazc5

Photo

A student from Pelambayan Religious School reciting the 'Ratib Al-Attas' and other prayers to seek protection against Influenza A (H1N1) in a religious ceremony organised by the Islamic Studies Department held at the school. Picture: BT/Yusri Adanan
Source: The Brunei Times
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/yhlhymm

Quote
“It's mind-blowing to me. This is a very serious disease. People are still getting sick, still being hospitalized and we are still having the occasional death." Dr. Bob England, PHOENIX - Health officials.
Source: azfamily.com - "So many H1N1 shots available they are being thrown away"
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/yconzf8

News Flash
HK reports 70th fatal case of influenza A/H1N1
Xinhua
He attended Princess Margaret Hospital on Dec. 30 last year due to flu symptoms. Positive result for influenza A/H1N1 was confirmed on the same day. ...
Read more: http://goo.gl/gGQh
Flu jab for the elderly may be a waste of time: review of evidence
Telegraph.co.uk
All people aged over 65 are offered the seasonal flu vaccine and around three quarters have it, the latest Government figures show and is thought to cost ...
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/ygcejkj
By 2012, no more bird flu in S Kalimantan
Antara
Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian province of South Kalimantan remained prone to the attacks of bird flu but it would be free from the deadly virus by 2012.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/yz988ur
500000 people vaccinated against A/H1N1 flu in Mexican capital
Xinhua
17 (Xinhua) -- At least 500000 residents of Mexico City have got vaccinated against the A/H1N1 flu, the city's health official told media on Wednesday. ...
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/ycoj9dn

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