SWINE FLU BREAKING NEWS

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza
Pandemic Influenza
Swine Influenza

Apr 28, 2009

Editor's note: Today we are launching a daily digest of the latest developments concerning the swine influenza H1N1 virus. This digest will be updated more than once a day as news developments dictate.

  • The United States now has 64 confirmed swine flu cases, up from 40 reported yesterday, the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this morning. Three of the new cases are from California, 4 are from Texas, and 17 are from New York City. Five patients have been hospitalized, CDC officials said this afternoon. [CDC swine flu investigation page]
  • At a briefing this morning, the World Health Organization said governments have officially confirmed 26 swine flu cases in Mexico, 6 in Canada, 3 in New Zealand, and 2 each in Spain and the United Kingdom, for a total of 39 cases outside the United States. In addition, Reuters reported one confirmed case in Israel. [Apr 28 Reuters story]
  • California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in California over swine flu today, as Los Angeles County officials investigated two deaths as possibly related to the virus, according to a Reuters report.
  • The Obama administration is asking Congress for a $1.5 billion supplemental appropriation to deal with the swine flu outbreak, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, announced at a Senate committee hearing on the outbreak today.
  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday authorized emergency use of influenza medicines and the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test for response to the swine flu virus outbreak. The move allows use of the drugs in younger children and permits a broader range of health professionals, including public health officials and volunteers, to distribute the drugs. [Apr 27 FDA press release]
  • GlaxoSmithKline has geared up production of zanamivir (Relenza), and Roche has increased production of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in response to the swine flu outbreak. The new virus has shown sensitivity to both of the drugs. [Apr 28 Bloomberg News story]
  • US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said yesterday that animal health surveillance has shown no swine flu infections in US swine. [Apr 27 USDA press release]
  • The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said yesterday that it appointed an expert team to determine if the new swine H1N1 virus has a direct connection to pigs and deployed a team of animal health experts to Mexico to help the government assess the epidemiologic situation in the pig production sector.

This week's top reads

  1. Wisconsin confirms another county affected by CWD in deer

    The 3-year-old buck was found dead in the town of Wautoma, within 10 miles of the Marquette and Portage county borders.

    Jim Wappes

  2. Avian flu virus detected in more Michigan dairy herds and on another large layer farm

    Along with multiple detections now in dairy cows, avian flu has also hit 2 massive farms housing egg-laying hens in the state.

    Lisa Schnirring
    Michigan dairy cows

  3. Blood donor study finds 21% incidence of long-term symptoms attributed to COVID-19

    Among blood donors with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, 23.6% reported long-term neurologic symptoms.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    blood donation

  4. Study: Pathogens that cause surgical infections may be coming from patients' skin

    The study authors say the findings could have implications for infection-prevention strategies. 

    Chris Dall

  5. Avian flu detected in North Carolina dairy herd

    Seven states have now reported the virus in dairy herds, with detections at 21 facilities.

    Lisa Schnirring
    dairy cow

  6. US measles cases top 120 as LA County tracks case with multiple exposures

    The visitor to Los Angeles County had visited Universal Studios and several other public places.

    Lisa Schnirring

  7. USDA scientists weigh avian flu vaccine for cows; virus may be spreading from cattle to poultry

    Questions about transmission and clinical disease in cows need to be answered before vaccine development takes shape.

    Lisa Schnirring
    ready for milking

  8. Study identifies inflammation and symptom patterns in long COVID

    Inflammation of myeloid cells and activation of immune proteins that are part of the complement system stood out blood from long COVID patients, but it's not clear if that applies to all types of long COVID.

    Lisa Schnirring
    rbc and antibodies

  9. Many healthcare workers unsure about COVID vaccine boosters for themselves, kids

    Healthcare worker vaccine reluctance can compromise patient care, the authors say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Doctor offering vaccine

  10. Avian flu virus detected in South Dakota dairy herd

    Today's announcement raises the number of affected states to 8.

    Lisa Schnirring