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Flu continues late-season Northern Hemisphere push – Centre For Infectious Disease Research and Policy

editor — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:06 +0000

Flu continues late-season Northern Hemisphere push – Centre For Infectious Disease Research and Policy
Feb 3, 2012 (CIDRAP News) – Flu activity in many Northern Hemisphere countries continued its late-season rise last week, with areas such as the United States, Canada, and Europe reporting steady increases. Though flu activity overall is low …

Flu hits 'alarm level' for 1st time in S. Korea
In flu enza reached the “alarm level” for the first time this season after an estimated 1.73 million flu cases were reported last week, an increase of more than 50 per cent from the previous week, the health ministry said yesterday.

Flu hits ‘alarm level’ for 1st time this winter – 読売新聞
Influenza reached the “alarm level” for the first time this season after an estimated 1.73 million flu cases were reported last week, an increase of more than 50 percent from the previous week, the health ministry said Friday. According to the Health …

Advocates Say Flu Vaccine Should Be Mandatory For Health Workers – NPR News
Despite more than 20 years of recommendations that health workers get flu shots, the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show more than a third don’t comply. The voluntary approach to reducing the risk that …

Flu Fighters | The Loom
Michael Osterholm, his face a pink-cheeked scowl, looked out across the table, beyond the packed room at the New York Academy of Sciences, and out through the windows. The New York Academy of Sciences is housed on the fortieth floor of 7 World Trade Center, and their endless bank of windows affords a staggering view of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. One reason that its view is so …

Mexico health sec: Swine flu way up after low year

editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:00:13 +0000

Mexico health sec: Swine flu way up after low year
Swine flu is back in Mexico, the epicenter of a world pandemic three years ago that panicked people around the globe.

U.S. Advisers Explain Request to Censor Bird Flu Research
TUESDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) — Concerns that research into a genetically mutated form of bird flu could escape from labs or fall into the hands of bioterrorists led U.S. scientific advisers to ask two prominent journals to withhold key details of the groundbreaking research, the advisers explained Tuesday.

Panel explains decision to limit publication of bird flu research – Los Angeles Times
Citing safety risks of “unusually high magnitude,” a U.S. advisory panel has explained why it recommended limiting publication of two bird flu research papers in late December. Reasoning that such a flu unleashed into the wild, either …

US panel defends call to censor bird flu studies – msnbc.com
CHICAGO — A potentially deadlier form of the bird flu virus poses one of the gravest known threats to humans and justifies an unprecedented call to censor the research that produced it, a top U.S. biosecurity official said on Tuesday. More from TODAY …

The proper flu etiquette – Seattle Times
Don’t laugh but there is a socially proper way to have the flu. And Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of the doyen of proper etiquette, Emily Post, has put together the flu etiquette ground rules. As reported last week, the National …

Flu vaccine available on campus Tuesday – Parnon

editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:09 +0000

Flu vaccine available on campus Tuesday – Parnon
While many received the flu vaccination last semester, those who did not still have the opportunity to do so on Marshall’s campus. Marshall University’s Student Health Education Program is collaborating with the Cabell- Huntington Health …

Bird flu fears: Flap over pet market move
Despite lingering fears about the spread of bird flu in the country with the world's highest number of fatalities from the deadly avian influenza virus, Indonesia's largest pet market has survived several attempts to relocate it.

Additional Cases of Swine Flu in Mexico [Video] – The Inquisitr
Swine Flu is making a comeback in Mexico the international media is reporting. Fears of three years ago when the deadly virus shut down airports amid fears of a global pandemic are still fresh in people’s minds. the Mexican government is saying there …

Flu season: Things you can do – HometownLife.com
This is the heart of flu season for seasonal influenza virus, and Dr. Donald Cox, chief of infection control and hospital epidemiology at Garden City Hospital has some answers to frequently asked questions: Q: If you haven’t yet received the flu …

Bird flu researcher: H5N1 work is 'urgent'

editor — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:08 +0000

Bird flu researcher: H5N1 work is 'urgent'
Another researcher whose work on the H5N1 avian flu has been delayed from publication because of the recommendations of a U.S. government advisory board, and who agreed to a 60-day moratorium on further work, has written that studies of the potentially dangerous virus — including work that creates strains that might infect and sicken humans — must go on.

Bird-Flu Virus Created in Wisconsin Isn’t Fatal, Scientist Says – Businessweek
Jan. 25 (Bloomberg) — An airborne strain of avian flu engineered in Wisconsin isn’t lethal and can be blocked with existing medicines, the study’s lead scientist said. While the mutated virus was contagious among laboratory ferrets, it didn …

Mexico ups swine flu screening as cases increase
Three years after swine flu closed Mexico City and caused an international scare, the Mexican government and local media are at odds over the severity of this season's flu virus. Newspapers are warning …

No Flu Shots for Generation X?

editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:00:07 +0000

No Flu Shots for Generation X?
Despite knowing how serious swine flu could be, only 1 in 5 adults in their late 30s reported getting a flu shot during the time of the first outbreak in 2009 and 2010.

Despite mild flu season, don't skip shots
So far this year, there have been far fewer flu reports, including the fever, coughing, aches and pains that usually make winter so miserable. But that doesn't mean people should be complacent about getting their flu shots, experts say.

It’s At The 20! The 10! Can The Flu Go All The Way? – NPR News
Laura Lorson is an All Things Considered host for Kansas Public Radio as well as a director, producer and editor. Another football season is winding down, college basketball is uninteresting until the tournament, pro basketball is rather dull.

Flu etiquette to get through the cold and flu season
January is the height of cold and flu season. If someone is tempted to push through when getting sick, results in a new study may convince the person to decide otherwise.

Mutant bird flu research halted

editor — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:00:09 +0000

Mutant bird flu research halted
Scientists who created a potentially more deadly bird flu strain to study the virus's spread halt work amid fears it could be used by terrorists.

Wisconsin bird flu scientist to stop research for 60 days – Pioneer Press
A UW-Madison scientist whose bird flu research has prompted an international debate over biosecurity, bioterrorism and censorship said Friday he would stop the research for 60 days to allow for more discussion of the need for the work.

Bio-terror fear halts bird flu research
Scientists who created easier-to-spread versions of the deadly bird flu said Friday they're temporarily halting more research, as international specialists debate what should happen next.

Two die of A(H1N1) swine flu in Mexico – Channel NewsAsia
MEXICO CITY: An outbreak of A(H1N1) swine flu claimed the lives of two people – 19 and 21 years old – in Mexico’s capital in the first weeks of the year, health authorities said on Saturday. The health secretary of Mexico’s Federal District …

La Niña May Be Linked to Flu Pandemics

editor — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:06 +0000

La Niña May Be Linked to Flu Pandemics
Flu pandemics may be “linked” to La Niña weather conditions that alter bird migration patterns and can promote “dangerous new strains” of the human influenza virus, according to American scientists in a statement on Monday.

Bird flu kills two in Cambodia, Vietnam
Vietnam on Thursday reported its first human death from bird flu in nearly two years, as the virus also claimed the life of a toddler in Cambodia.

Home Hygiene: How To Reduce Germs During Cold And Flu Season
PHILADELPHIA , Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Now that cold and flu season is in full swing, people may not realize that their own homes can be breeding grounds for germs. A few simple considerations, including …

New swine, drug-resistant flu strains arise

editor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:08 +0000

New swine, drug-resistant flu strains arise
The flu season hasn't kicked in yet, but infectious disease experts are on the alert for new strains.

La Nina 'may abet' flu pandemics
Scientists discover indications of a relationship between La Nina climatic conditions and influenza pandemics.

La Nina linked to flu pandemics – CBC
A new study has found a link between the La Nina weather pattern and the worldwide pandemics of influenza in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009. Each of those pandemics was preceded by La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific, found the study published online …

Flu season gets quiet start

editor — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:00:08 +0000

Flu season gets quiet start
It's been a quiet flu season so far in New Brunswick, but health officials say that could easily change and it's not too late to get immunized.

Google flu trends helps target flu near you
SHERMAN, TX — Just in time for flu season, a popular search engine has developed a site that can monitor cases of the flu anywhere in the country.

Vt Health Commissioner: Flu shot is safe – WCAX
Investigators are trying to determine whether a recent flu shot played a role in the death of a young Barton girl, or if it was just a coincidence. Vermont health officials say the flu shot is safe, there is no risk to the public and that they hope the …

Google helps doctors track flu season: How? – CBS News
(CBS) When doctors need more information, turns out they turn to the same source as most people: Google. According to a new flu study, the search engine’s “Flu Trends” tracker has proved effective at monitoring influenza cases. For the study …

12 Infected With New Swine Flu Strain

editor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:00:08 +0000

12 Infected With New Swine Flu Strain
The days of medical masks at airports and widespread panic may be coming back–that's because at least 12 humans are believed to have been infected with a new strain of swine flu that's not covered by this season's vaccine.

Experts: Flu numbers down, shots still important – msnbc.com
If you’ve noticed a few less sick faces around the office lately, you’re right. The Lee County Health Department reports flu cases are down compared to this time last year. But officials we spoke to say it’s still important to get your flu shot …

Flu not widespread but shots still the best prevention
Flu cases are lagging behind last year, but health officials still urge everyone to get a flu shot.

Flu season off to a slow start
Flu season is off to a slow start for the second year in a row, but Napa County health officials are still urging people who have not received a flu shot to get vaccinated.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri Urges Seniors to Get Flu, Pneumonia Vaccines
The seasonal flu can be serious for everybody. So serious, in fact, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that nearly everyone get a flu vaccine.i Th