WHO investigating swine flu mutations from Norway deaths, says significance still unclearNovember 20th, 2009 more images
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WHO investigating Norway swine flu mutations
GENEVA — The World Health Organization said Friday it is investigating samples of variant swine flu linked to two deaths and one severe case in Norway, but that so far the significance of the mutation is unclear. Norway's Institute of Public Health announced Friday that the mutation "could possibly...cause more severe disease" because it infects tissue deeper in the airway than usual.
India developing own influenza vaccine for first time: AzadNovember 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - An influenza vaccine is for the first time being developed in India that would be effective against the swine flu pandemic, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here Friday. "Public health challenges will continue to put pressure on our system and we have to be better prepared to respond to these challenges through effective regulation, surveillance, capacity building, supervision and care," he said.
Industry experts tell Congress pork industry's woes exacerbated by fears about swine fluOctober 22nd, 2009 Experts: Swine flu exacerbates pork industry woesWASHINGTON — The pork industry is facing one of its worst struggles in memory and an unwanted link to the so-called swine flu is exacerbating problems, experts told Congress on Thursday. "Over the past 24 months, pork producers have lost an average of $23 on each hog marketed ...
Scientists waiting for H1N1 virus to mutateOctober 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Infectious disease experts are eagerly awaiting the H1N1 virus to undergo a mutation. John Tudor, Ph.D., a microbiologist at Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia said: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization are constantly monitoring the virus as it spreads....
Vaccinating kids best way to prevent spread of swine fluOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The optimal way to control swine flu, the H1N1 virus that has emerged as a current global threat, is to vaccinate children, says David Kimberlin, a medical expert. The reason behind making children the highest priority comes from decades of experience with flu transmission, prevention strategies, infection monitoring and many other factors.
Karnataka swine flu toll rises to 83September 24th, 2009 BANGALORE - With three new swine flu deaths being reported in Karnataka, the death toll due to the H1N1 virus in the state reached 83, a health official said here Thursday. While two men succumbed to swine flu in Bangalore, the third case was that of a five-year-old girl from Udupi.
Study: Flu shot more effective than nasal spray among healthy adultsSeptember 23rd, 2009 Study: Flu shot better than nasal spray in adultsLOS ANGELES — Hate to get flu shots? A new comparison of flu vaccines gives adults a good reason to roll up their sleeves and get a jab in the arm instead of a squirt in the nose. In a study of nearly 2,000 healthy adults during a recent flu season, standard shots were twice as effective against regular winter flu as the newer nasal spray, researchers found.
Basic hygiene 'more effective against swine flu than drugs'September 23rd, 2009 LONDON - A new study has found that maintaining basic hygiene like washing hands and using face masks can control the spread of swine flu more effectively than vaccines and antiviral drugs. The report has been published in the British Medical Journal.
H1N1 vaccine production to reach three billion in 2010September 21st, 2009 HONG KONG - The production of swine flu vaccines is on track to reach three billion inoculations within the next year, the head of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, said Monday. About 25 companies worldwide are now producing vaccines against the H1N1 virus, Chan said on the opening day of the annual general meeting for WHO's western Pacific region in Hong Kong.
Obama: US will share 10 percent of swine flu vaccines with other nationsSeptember 17th, 2009 US to share 10 percent swine flu vaccine globallyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the United States will share 10 percent of its swine flu vaccine supply with other nations. The White House on Thursday announced that the move would help fight the global spread of swine flu, known among scientists as H1N1.
Karnataka swine flu toll rises to 75September 17th, 2009 BANGALORE - With two new swine flu deaths being reported from Karnataka, the death toll due to H1N1 virus in the state has reached 75, a health official said here Friday. Both the deaths were reported from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) in Bangalore.
Top economies, Mexico discuss who should get swine flu vaccines firstSeptember 11th, 2009 Top economies discuss use of swine flu vaccinesBRUSSELS — The world's seven largest economies and Mexico agreed Friday that the first doses of swine flu vaccinations should be given to pregnant women, health workers and those with risky health conditions. EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said all countries at the Group of Seven talks "remain vigilant" to stop the spread of the virus as the fall and winter flu season approaches in the northern hemisphere.
'Dung of the devil' plant roots may offer swine flu cureSeptember 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Chinese scientists have found that the roots of a plant have powerful natural substances that can kill the H1N1 virus. Researchers Fang-Rong Chang and Yang-Chang Wu identified chemicals in the extracts of the "Dung of the Devil" plant, which were more effective against the H1N1 virus than the antiviral drug currently available for the flu.
Swine flu prompts calls for `kissing strike' in SpainSeptember 2nd, 2009 MADRID - H1N1 influenza is prompting tough health measures around the globe, but could it go as far as forcing a "kissing strike" in traditionally affectionate Spain?
The health authorities are recommending that Spaniards no longer greet each other with the usual kiss on both cheeks. But many people say kissing is so important they are willing to risk catching the disease, popularly known as swine flu.
China set to approve swine flu vaccines requiring only 1 doseSeptember 2nd, 2009 China set to approve 1-dose swine flu vaccinesBEIJING — China will soon approve domestically developed swine flu vaccines that manufacturers say can protect people against the virus with only one dose, an encouraging development for health officials racing to prepare for an expected spike in cases this winter. Many health authorities are assuming two doses of vaccine are necessary while they await the results of trials by drug makers around the world to determine the appropriate dosage.
