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Sunday 2 November 2014

Influenza, a Familiar Virus, Requires Attention, Too - New York Times



Influenza, a Familiar Virus, Requires Attention, Too - New York Times
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 30 OCTOBER 2014
http://pulse.me/s/34v7xL

Posted by Rob LW

MyCentralJersey.comInfluenza, a Familiar Virus, Requires Attention, TooNew York TimesBut there's another, more familiar ... Read more

--
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Cheers

Rob

Sent from another mobile device with an annoyingly small keyboard, apologies for any typos 

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Throwback Thursday | The 1918 Influenza Pandemic - New York Times (blog)



Throwback Thursday | The 1918 Influenza Pandemic - New York Times (blog)
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 16 OCTOBER 2014
http://pulse.me/s/2UcND8


New York Times (blog)Throwback Thursday | The 1918 Influenza PandemicNew York Times (blog)As scientists confront the Ebola ... Read more
Posted by Rob LW
--

Vaxart's Tablet Vaccine for H1N1 Influenza Generates Protective Immunity ... - FierceVaccines



Vaxart's Tablet Vaccine for H1N1 Influenza Generates Protective Immunity ... - FierceVaccines
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 16 OCTOBER 2014
http://pulse.me/s/2SOcql
Vaxart's Tablet Vaccine for H1N1 Influenza Generates Protective Immunity ...FierceVaccinesThe data were generated in a ... Read more

Posted by Rob LW

Friday 12 September 2014

Virus Outbreak Sends 1,000 Kids To Hospital

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 


 
Sky News US Team

A rare respiratory illness has sent more than 1,000 children to hospital in cities across the US Midwest.

The symptoms experienced by the children are similar to those of a common cold - coughing, difficulty breathing, with or without fever.

But those affected by Enterovirus 68 become seriously ill within hours.

Other symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, cough, mouth blisters, body and muscle aches and rash.
 
Experts say the current outbreak is spreading quickly.

According to USA Today, some 300 cases have been reported in Kansas City, Missouri, while at Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver, Colorado, some 900 kids have reportedly been admitted in the last two weeks.

In total, 10 states have reported outbreaks: Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Georgia.

Experts fear the outbreak might get even worse, and are asking parents to be on the lookout for symptoms.

There is no antiviral therapy or vaccine.

 The illness appears to be most common among very young children, often below the age of five, and children who have asthma.

Nurse and infectious disease specialist Lisa Caffery said as schools resume children are especially at risk of catching the virus.
 
"It's easily spread from person to person through contact with respiratory secretions and so that's why children are probably more at risk than adults, but adults can get it as well," she told midwestern TV station WQAD.

Thanks

Rob

A mini-antibody with broad antiviral activity chews up viral DNA and RNA

A mini-antibody with broad antiviral activity chews up viral DNA and RNA
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140626172846.htm

Antibodies and their derivatives can protect plants and animals -- including humans -- against viruses. Members of this class of drugs are usually highly specific against components of a particular virus, and mutations in the virus that change these components can make them ineffective.

Posted by Rob LW

Friday 5 September 2014

Risk Factors Associated with Severe Clinical Outcomes of Pandemic H1N1 Infection

http://medcraveonline.com/JHVRV/JHVRV-01-00016.pdf

Posted by Rob LW

GEN | News Highlights: Sanofi Pasteur Dengue Vaccine Aces Second Phase III Trial

http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/sanofi-pasteur-dengue-vaccine-aces-second-phase-iii-trial/81250300/

Posted by Rob LW

USGS Release: Avian Flu in Seals Could Infect People (9/3/2014 5:00:00 AM)

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3985#.VAlThO29LCQ

Posted by Rob LW

Influenza vaccination in pregnancy protects both mother and infant | 2 Minute Medicine

http://www.2minutemedicine.com/influenza-vaccination-in-pregnancy-protects-both-mother-and-infant/

Posted by Rob LW

CORRECTING and REPLACING -- Novavax to Present RSV Vaccine Preclinical Results at ICAAC - MarketWatch

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/correcting-and-replacing-novavax-to-present-rsv-vaccine-preclinical-results-at-icaac-2014-09-03

Posted by Rob LW

Monday 25 August 2014

INFLUENZAUPDATE@LISTSERV.WHO.INT

http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/

Cheers

Rob
-

Our latest publications can be found here<http://www.retroscreen.com/news-publications/papers/>

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Rob_LW

Friday 15 August 2014

Influenza: How the Great War helped create the greatest pandemic ever known - The Guardian



Influenza: How the Great War helped create the greatest pandemic ever known - The Guardian
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 30 JULY 2014
http://pulse.me/s/2eIQ9J


The GuardianInfluenza: How the Great War helped create the greatest pandemic ever knownThe GuardianThis particular strain of ... Read more

Posted by Rob LW 

Is it 'man flu'? Is it 'woman flu'? The lowdown on influenza - Sydney Morning Herald



Is it 'man flu'? Is it 'woman flu'? The lowdown on influenza - Sydney Morning Herald
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 12 AUGUST 2014
http://pulse.me/s/2h5ufW


Sky News AustraliaIs it 'man flu'? Is it 'woman flu'? The lowdown on influenzaSydney Morning HeraldOffice half ... Read more

Posted by Rob LW

Influenza: High-Dose Vaccine Decreases Flu in Older Adults - Medscape



Influenza: High-Dose Vaccine Decreases Flu in Older Adults - Medscape
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 14 AUGUST 2014
http://pulse.me/s/2d5Gjw


MedscapeInfluenza: High-Dose Vaccine Decreases Flu in Older AdultsMedscapeHigh-dose influenza vaccine provides better ... Read more

Posted by Rob LW

Friday 11 July 2014

Vertex Licenses VX-787 to Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the Treatment of Influenza - FierceBiotech



Vertex Licenses VX-787 to Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the Treatment of Influenza - FierceBiotech
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 19 JUNE 2014
http://pulse.me/s/1FUDRc
Vertex Licenses VX-787 to Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the Treatment of InfluenzaFierceBiotech"With a deep history in ... Read more

Posted by Rob LW

Wednesday 2 July 2014

CDC recommends AstraZeneca influenza vaccine | Vaccine News Daily

http://vaccinenewsdaily.com/medical_countermeasures/331091-cdc-recommends-astrazeneca-influenza-vaccine/

Posted by Rob LW

Africa Battles To Stop Deadly Spread Of Ebola

Africa Battles To Stop Deadly Spread Of Ebola

Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent, In Liberia

The worst Ebola outbreak ever is spreading and will almost certainly extend across West Africa unless there is cross-country co-operation and urgent international assistance.

The porous borders between Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone has meant the disease is not being contained and now risks spreading even further.

Health workers at the epicentre, where the borders of the three countries meet, have made an urgent appeal through Sky News for immediate international help to try to control the virus.

Philip Azumah, the Foya district health officer, said: "We need help now, or the virus will spread and kill more people."

8ade508146d7c6810146f4f9fdae1421

It is difficult to determine exactly how many people have already died from the disease given the cross-border contamination and lack of accounting.

But it is already clear there are many more deaths than any previous outbreak.

Aid organisation Doctors Without Borders has already said it is the largest outbreak on record, with the highest number of deaths.

Across the three countries, more than 400 have died in this latest outbreak, with no sign of the disease being halted.

And for the first time the disease has spread to highly populated areas including cities such as Guinea's capital, Conakry.

8ade508146d7c6810146f4f9fdaf1422

At one of the high-risk infection centres set up in Foya, in Liberia, the medics insisted we, like them, took extreme precautions.

This included wearing two layers of protective head-to-toe clothing featuring one waterproof all-in-one outfit, face and head masks, double gloves, thick plastic aprons, sturdy goggles and rubber boots.

Among the victims was a nurse who contracted Ebola after caring for a person who later died from the virus.

Nurse Elizabeth Smith was lying on a bed next to another nurse who had contracted Ebola from the same patient they had both treated.

But Ms Smith was significantly weaker than her co-worker. She did not raise her head as we entered and her bed was soaked in blood.

8ade508146d7c6810146f4f9fdaf1423

Neither woman had realised they were treating a patient with Ebola, so had taken none of the precautions their colleagues were now taking.

Two of them sprayed Ms Smith with disinfectant, down her legs, her feet, her hands and arms as they stood arms-length away in their head-to-toe protective clothing and visors. Gingerly, they took her arms and helped her to her feet, before escorting her down the tent corridor to the high-risk area.

Here, every patient is a confirmed Ebola case and the odds are that 90% of them will die.

The frightening deadliness of Ebola, plus the ignorance around it and the lack of a cure, has thrown the medical staff in this area into a panic.

Francis Forndia, administrator for Foya-Borma Hospital, where medical staff have died after treating victims, told us his workers simply fled after nurses began dying.

"It is hard to get them to return, but we have managed to persuade some to come back by explaining to them how needed they are," he said.

8ade508146d7c6810146f4f9fdaf1424

Mr Azumah is co-ordinating the health battle against Ebola in this area. He tells me the first recent outbreak in Liberia was in March, when an infected woman travelled to Foya from Guinea.

She died two days after being admitted to the sole and tiny hospital in Foya. By the time of her death, she had infected eleven people in hospital alone.

Two of them were nurses who went on to die. The remaining nine somehow managed to survive.

Then Liberia went a solid three weeks without an incident and believed they were clear - until the end of May.

This time, a woman from Sierra Leone, probably out of fear, gave misleading information about where she had come from.

8ade508146d7c6810146f4f9fdaf1425

She told investigators she was local, which was true, but did not mention she had in fact spent some time in an infected area of Sierra Leone.

This time the consequences were much more widespread. She had infected a stream of people, six of whom died.

They are still trying to trace all those she may have been in contact with.

There have since been other outbreaks in Voinjamma and the Liberian capital, Monrovia, while Guinea and Sierra Leone continue to register deaths, too.

Mr Azumah said: "In our culture, it is the habit to wash the dead body, look after it for a week in the home, kiss and touch it, even eat meals with the dead body - and we believe this has led to the virus spreading.

"Also people are keeping the illnesses and deaths secret if they suspect Ebola."

By alerting the authorities to possible Ebola, people risk being ostracised by their communities.

There is even a fear among these poverty stricken communities that the visiting health workers are spreading the virus.

But what seems significant is that, in Liberia at least, one of the poorest countries in the world, they are largely coping with this virulent disease on their own - with very little outside help evident.





Thanks


Rob

This email was sent from a mobile device with an annoyingly small keyboard, apologies for any typos

Thursday 12 June 2014

Deadly Flu Strain Created In 'Crazy' Lab Study

Deadly Flu Strain Created In 'Crazy' Lab Study

Scientists have created a deadly virus similar to the 1918 Spanish flu strain that killed around 50 million people.

The experiment has been labelled as "crazy" by some, but the US researchers behind the study say it is crucial for understanding the risk posed to the public by viruses circulating in wild birds.

The team used a process called reverse genetics to examine the infamous 1918 flu strain.

The new virus was built using fragments of wild bird flu strains, then mutated to make it airborne so it could spread easily from one animal to another.

A report published in the journal Cell Host and Microbe said the creation showed that the genetic ingredients for such a pandemic already exist in nature and could combine to present a potentially deadly threat.

But Lord May, the former chief science adviser to the UK Government, said the University of Wisconsin-Madison project was "exceedingly dangerous".

He told The Guardian: "The work they are doing is absolutely crazy. The whole thing is exceedingly dangerous.

"Yes, there is a danger, but it's not arising from the viruses out there in the animals, it's arising from the labs of grossly ambitious people."

Lead scientist Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka argued his work has potentially life-saving benefits.

He said: "The worst-case scenario is the emergence of a novel avian influenza virus that exhibits high pathogenicity in humans, like H5N1 (avian flu) viruses, and efficient transmissibility in humans, like seasonal influenza viruses.

"Our findings demonstrate the value of continued surveillance of avian influenza viruses and reinforce the need for improved influenza vaccines and antivirals to prepare for such a scenario."





Thanks


Rob

This email was sent from a mobile device with an annoyingly small keyboard, apologies for any typos

Friday 23 May 2014

BBC News: Immune children aid malaria fight

I saw this story on the BBC News iPad App and thought you should see it:

Immune children aid malaria fight

An antibody produced by children who are naturally resistant to malaria could lead to an effective vaccine for the disease, scientists report.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27522950


Posted by Rob LW

Gilead's RSV drug clears mid-stage trial - PMLiVE

http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/gileads_rsv_drug_clears_mid-stage_trial_571500?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=2&
Posted by Rob LW

Saturday 10 May 2014

Unusual new penguin flu found in Antarctica - Yahoo News UK



Unusual new penguin flu found in Antarctica - Yahoo News UK
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 6 MAY 2014
http://pulse.me/s/1chl0o


Yahoo News UKUnusual new penguin flu found in AntarcticaYahoo News UK"It raises a lot of unanswered questions," said ... Read more

Posted by Rob LW

Monday 5 May 2014

Fwd: PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (50): Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, RFI



From: <promed@promedmail.org>
Date: 5 May 2014 02:46:04 BST
To: <promed-post@promedmail.org>, <promed-edr-post@promedmail.org>, <promed-ahead-post@promedmail.org>
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (50): Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, RFI
Reply-To: <promedNOREPLY@promedmail.org>


MERS-COV - EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (50): SAUDI ARABIA, UAE, USA, REQUEST
FOR INFORMATION
**************************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

In this update:
[1] Saudi Arabia, 15 new infections, 1 death - MOH
[2] UAE, 4 new infections - MOH
[3] USA ex Saudi Arabia - Indiana DOH

******
[1] Saudi Arabia, 15 new infections, 1 death - MOH
Date: 4 May 2014
Source: Saudi MOH [edited]
<http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/CoronaNew/PressReleases/Pages/mediastatement-2014-05-04-001.aspx>


MOH: 15 Confirmed Cases of the Novel Coronavirus Recorded on Sat 3 May
2014
---------------------------
Daily Report on the Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Situation Saturday [3 May
2014]

Total number of confirmed cases: 15
Total number of recovered cases now testing negative: 4
Total number of deaths: 1 (The case was previously announced to be
infected with the virus).

Overview of the health status of the cases:
4 cases haven't developed any symptoms
5 stable cases receiving proper treatment
5 cases at intensive care units
1 case passed away.

The health situation of the cases in detail:
In Riyadh
a) A 45-year-old woman working at a governmental hospital in Riyadh.
She was admitted to the hospital on [29 Apr 2014] with respiratory
symptoms. Now, she is at the intensive care unit receiving treatment.
She has been in contact with a confirmed case.
b) A 47-year-old man who was admitted to a governmental hospital in
Riyadh on [21 Apr 2014] with respiratory symptoms. Now, he is at the
IC unit receiving treatment.
c) A 77-year-old man suffering from multiple myeloma. He was admitted
to a governmental hospital in Riyadh in December 2013, and then he
displayed respiratory symptoms on [29 Apr 2014]. He passed away on [2
May 2014].
d) A 73-year-old woman who was admitted to a governmental hospital in
Riyadh in January 2014 with cardiac diseases, and then she developed
respiratory symptoms on [29 Apr 2014]. Now, she is receiving treatment
at the IC unit.
e) A 27-year-old man who suffered from symptoms of high temperature,
vomiting and diarrhea on [1 May 2014]. Two days later, he was admitted
to a governmental hospital. His health status is stable now. He has
been in contact with a confirmed case.
f) A 55-year-old man who has been in contact with a confirmed case. He
has not developed any symptoms.

In Jeddah
a) A 94-year-old man who exhibited respiratory symptoms on [26 Apr
2014], and then he was rushed to a governmental hospital in Jeddah on
[28 Apr 2014]. Now, he is receiving treatment at the IC unit.
b) A 61-year-old man suffering from renal failure. He experienced
respiratory symptoms on [22 Apr 2014], and then he was admitted to a
private hospital in Jeddah on [24 Apr 2014]. His health status is
stable.
c) The 3rd case is a 47-year-old man suffering from renal failure. On
[29 Apr 2014], he showed respiratory symptoms and was taken to a
governmental hospital in Jeddah. His health status is stable.
d) A 63-year-old man who was admitted to a governmental hospital in
Jeddah on [17 Feb 2014] suffering from gangrene. On [29 Apr 2014], he
developed respiratory symptoms. Now, he is at the IC unit receiving
treatment.
e) A 40-year-old woman who was taken to a governmental hospital in
Makkah on [29 Apr 2014] with respiratory symptoms. Her health status
is stable. Later on, she was transferred to a governmental hospital in
Jeddah.

In Makkah:
a) A 26-year-old woman who showed mild respiratory symptoms on [21 Apr
2014]. Her health status is stable. She has been in contact with a
confirmed case.
b) A 27-year-old woman who has been in contact with a confirmed case.
She has not developed any symptoms.
c) A 37-year-old woman who has been in contact with a confirmed case.
She has not developed any symptoms.
d) A 14-year-old adolescent who has been in contact with a confirmed
case. He has not developed any symptoms.

Recovered and discharged cases that previously tested positive and are
now negative:
a) A 48-year-old man who is discharged from the governmental hospital
in Jeddah
b) A 77-year-old woman who is discharged from the governmental
hospital in Riyadh
c) A 45-year-old man who is discharged from the governmental hospital
in Riyadh
d) A 81-year-old man who is discharged from the governmental hospital
in Riyadh

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[With the addition of the above newly reported laboratory
confirmations, there have now been 411 laboratory confirmed cases of
MERS-CoV infection including 112 deaths reported in Saudi Arabia since
September 2012. Of the 15 newly confirmed cases, 7 were known contacts
of previously laboratory confirmed infections, of whom 4 have no
clinical symptoms, and 3 had clinical illness compatible with MERS-CoV
infection. 3 of the newly confirmed cases had been hospitalized for
weeks or months for other illnesses and then developed respiratory
symptoms compatible with MERS-CoV infection. One case is a government
hospital employee.

New information on patients who are no longer MERS-CoV positive and
are being discharged home is being provided.

A map of Saudi Arabia showing the locations of these newly confirmed
laboratory infections can be found at the source URL. - Mod.MPP]

******
[2] UAE, 4 new infections - MOH
Date: 4 May 2014
Source: Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) [edited]
<http://www.haad.ae/haad/tabid/58/ctl/Details/Mid/417/ItemID/425/Default.aspx>


HAAD announces 6 cases diagnosed with MERS Coronavirus tested
negative
----------------------------
The Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) [United Arab Republic] is
pleased to announce that 6 more of the individuals who are in
isolation in hospital with MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection have
now tested negative for the virus and will be leaving hospital soon.
With this, the number of individuals who have tested negative has
risen to 27.

HAAD said that these 6 cases were kept in isolation at hospitals as a
precautionary measure. They were able to clear the virus within 10-14
days themselves without any treatment.

It is expected that the other individuals with positive MERS
coronavirus currently in isolation in hospitals will likewise soon
test negative and be able to go home. They are being tested daily to
check on their positive status.

HAAD also announced 4 new cases with MERS-CoV. Most have either no
symptoms or mild symptoms and are expected to clear the virus soon.
They have been admitted to hospital for isolation until they clear the
virus.

HAAD confirmed that it is coordinating with the Ministry of Health
(MOH) and other authorities in the country and has taken all necessary
measures as per international standards and recommendations from the
World Health Organisation (WHO).

HAAD has been engaging world authorities from expert international
organizations who are now in Abu Dhabi to help shed light on various
aspects of the virus, including modes of transmission, and best
practice in managing viral infections of this type.

The MOH stated that the WHO confirmed the virus is not a concern for
public health at the moment and that the current situation does not
require a travel ban to any country in the world, screenings at
different ports, or any restrictions on trade.

The MOH confirmed that it is monitoring the situation closely to
ensure the health and safety of everyone.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The above announcement from the Health Authority of Abu Dahbi (HAAD)
mentions 4 new laboratory confirmed MERS-CoV infected individuals with
either mild or no symptoms. No further details on these cases are
available as yet. Information as to whether these cases are related to
the outbreak involving overseas workers in the health sector is not
available. More information on the epidemiology of the cases reported
in the UAE would be greatly appreciated.

For a map of the UAE, see <http://healthmap.org/promed/p/132>. -
Mod.MPP]

******
[3] USA ex Saudi Arabia - Indiana DOH
Date: 4 May 2014
Source: Indiana Department of Health [edited]
<http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?fromdate=5/2/2014&todate=5/4/2014&display=Month&type=public&eventidn=170005&view=EventDetails&information_id=200570>


The 1st identified U.S. case of Middle East respiratory syndrome
(MERS) was diagnosed this week at Community Hospital, Munster,
Indiana. The patient, whose name is being kept confidential, remains
hospitalized in good condition and is improving each day. As of today
[4 May 2014], no other cases of MERS have been identified [in the
USA].

"We are very pleased the patient is improving, and no other cases have
been identified at this time," said State Health Commissioner William
VanNess II, M.D. "The individual has received excellent care while at
Community Hospital in Munster. The swift diagnosis and precautionary
measures taken have undoubtedly greatly helped reduce the risk of this
potentially serious virus spreading."

The Indiana State Department of Health is working with the hospital,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others to
monitor the situation and prevent the spread of the virus.
Representatives from the CDC arrived in Indianapolis yesterday [3 May
2014] to assist and arrived at the hospital this morning.

Since symptoms of MERS may take up to 14 days to occur, staff members
at the hospital who had direct contact with the patient prior to the
patient being placed in full isolation have been taken off duty and
placed in temporary home isolation. Those individuals are being
closely monitored for any signs or symptoms of the virus and will be
allowed to return to work once the incubation period is over and they
have confirmed negative laboratory results.

There have been no reported cases of people without symptoms
transmitting this virus.

"The patient is in full isolation and presents no risk to patients,
staff or the general community," said Don Fesko, CEO of Community
Hospital in Munster. "We are thoroughly prepared to handle respiratory
infections. We continue to work closely with the CDC and State Health
Department and are following every recommendation. Safety is our top
priority."

For questions about MERS, please call the Indiana State Department of
Health hotline at 1-877-826-0011, which is being answered daily, 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. A voicemail system is available for callers to
leave a message during off hours. All calls will be returned 1st thing
the following morning.

To keep you and your family healthy by reducing your risk of disease,
follow CDC's tips below:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and help
young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze,
then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact, such as kissing, sharing cups, or sharing
eating utensils with sick people.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and
doorknobs.

For more information, please visit the websites below.
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome:
<http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/index.html>
- About Coronavirus:
<http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/index.html>
- Frequently Asked MERS Questions and Answers:
<http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/faq.html>
- Indiana State Department of Health
<http://www.StateHealth.in.gov>

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[On [24 Apr 2014], the patient traveled by plane from Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia to London, England then from London to Chicago, Illinois. The
patient then took a bus from Chicago to Indiana. On [27 Apr 2014], the
patient began to experience respiratory symptoms, including shortness
of breath, coughing, and fever. The patient went to an emergency
department in an Indiana hospital on [28 Apr 2014] and was admitted on
that same day.  See post (48) listed below. - Mod.JW]

[The description of the management of cases and contacts suggests that
should there have been transmission of the MER-CoV from this patient
to HCWs, the chain of transmission within the hospital would have been
markedly reduced, as these individuals are being removed from active
patient care until they are cleared of disease following one
incubation period. The unfortunate "wild card" here will be how well
the home isolation is observed, preventing transmission among the
community outside of the health care environment.

For a map of the USA showing states, see
<http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_USA_showing_state_names.png>.
- Mod.MP

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at:
<http://healthmap.org/promed/p/131>.]

[See Also:
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (49): Saudi Arabia 20140503.2447188
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (48): USA ex Saudi Arabia
20140502.2445843
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (47): Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt,
WHO 20140502.2442560
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (46): Saudi Arabia, animal reservoir,
camel 20140430.2440228
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (45): Saudi Arabia 20140430.2437089
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (44): Saudi Arabia 20140428.2433859
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (43): Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, WHO
20140427.2431453
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (42): Saudi Arabia, genome
sequencing, Jeddah 20140426.2432140
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (40): Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan ex
KSA, WHO, RFI 20140424.2424017
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (39): Qatar (RY) animal res., camel,
OIE 20140424.2426491
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (38): animal reservoir, camel, Saudi
Arabia, RFI 20140423.2424953
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (37): Saudi Arabia, UAE
20140422.2420072
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (36): Greece ex Saudi Arabia, WHO
20140421.2417384
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (35): Greece, Saudi Arabia, UAE, RFI
20140419.2415087
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (34): animal reservoir, camel, Saudi
Arabia, RFI 20140419.2414479
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (33): Saudi Arabia 20140418.2413921
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (32): Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia,
WHO, RFI 20140417.2411430
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (31): Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, UAE,
Philippines 20140416.2406647
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (30): Saudi Arabia, UAE, WHO, RFI
20140414.2403986
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (29): Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE, RFI
20140413.2401723
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (28): Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia
20140412.2398280
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (27): Saudi Arabia, UAE, WHO,
screening 20140410.2395733
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (26): Saudi Arabia 20140409.2392763
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (25): Saudi Arabia, UAE, RFI
20140408.2390003
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (24): Saudi Arabia, RFI
20140406.2385665
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (23): Saudi Arabia 20140404.2378035
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (22): UAE, WHO 20140401.2373381
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (18): Saudi Arabia 20140321.2347610
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (17): Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, WHO,
RFI 20140320.2345849
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (16): Saudi Arabia, WHO
20140318.2340740
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (15): Saudi Arabia, WHO, RFI
20140317.2338519
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (14): Saudi Arabia, RFI
20140314.2333773
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (13): Saudi Arabia, UAE, WHO
20140313.2330878
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (12): Saudi Arabia 20140306.2317828
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (11): Saudi Arabia, WHO
20140301.2308415
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (08): Saudi Arabia 20140220.2289977
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (07): Saudi Arabia 20140215.2280653
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (06): UAE (Abu Dhabi)
20140208.2264161
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (05): Saudi Arabia, WHO
20140203.2252192
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (04): Saudi Arabia, Jordan, WHO
20140128.2235722
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (03): Oman, WHO 20140109.2162284
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (02): animal reservoir, camel, UAE,
serology 20140104.2151807
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (01): Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, WHO
20140103.2150717
2013
----
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (106): animal reservoir, camel,
Qatar, OIE 20131231.2145606
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (102): Dubai, fatal 20131221.2128612
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (101): animal reservoir, camel, goat
20131219.2126531
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (100): Saudi Arabia, WHO
20131219.2126258
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (99): animal reservoir, camel, Qatar
20131217.2120936
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (98): animal reserv/camel, Jordan,
Saudi Arabia 20131213.2114362
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (95): animal reservoir, camel, Qatar
20131129.2082942
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (94): UAE (Abu Dhabi), Qatar
20131129.2082330
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (93): animal res., camel conf, Qatar
(RY) OIE 20131129.2082115
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (91): Saudi Arabia, WHO
20131127.2078860
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (90): Saudi Arabia, Qatar fatal
20131120.2064667
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (88): Kuwait, WHO, Spain
20131119.2062587
MERS-CoV Eastern Mediterranean (87): animal res. camel susp.
precautions 20131113.2053932
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (86): Kuwait, 1st rep, susp, RFI
20131113.2052320
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (85): animal reservoir, camel, susp,
official 20131112.2051424
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (84): Saudi Arabia, Oman, deaths,
WHO, RFI 20131112.2049026
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (82): Qatar, RFI 20131110.2047575
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (81): Saudi Arabia, UAE ex Oman, RFI
20131108.2044846
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (70): Saudi Arabia, WHO
20130913.1936342
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (60): Qatar, new case, RFI
20130827.1904425
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (51): Saudi Arabia, WHO, RFI
20130801.1857286
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (40): Saudi Arabia, WHO
20130709.1813691
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (15): Saudi Arabia, Italy ex Jordan,
WHO, RFI 20130601.1749096
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (12): Saudi Arabia, France
20130528.1741836
MERS-CoV - Eastern Mediterranean (05): Tunisia ex Saudi Arabia/Qatar,
fatal, RFI 20130520.1725864
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Mediterranean (24): France, 2nd case
20130512.1707305
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Mediterranean (20): France ex UAE, WHO,
Saudi Arabia 20130508.1700034
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Mediterranean (14): Germany ex UAE, WHO,
fatal 20130326.1604564
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Mediterranean (12): KSA, UK fatality, RFI
20130323.1600113
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Mediterranean (11): UK, pers to pers
transm 20130316.1588808
Novel coronavirus - East. Med. (07): Saudi Arabia, UK, Germany
20130221.155410
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Med. (04): UK, pers to pers trans susp
20130213.1541531
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Med. (02): UK ex Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
20130212.1539086
2012
----
Novel coronavirus - Eastern Mediterranean: WHO, Jordan, conf., RFI
20121130.1432498
Novel coronavirus - Saudi Arabia (18): WHO, new cases, cluster
20121123.1421664
Novel coronavirus - Saudi Arabia (14): KSA MOH 20121022.1358297
Novel coronavirus - Saudi Arabia (12): RFI 20121019.1353615
Novel coronavirus - Saudi Arabia (04): RFI, Jordan, April 2012
20120925.1308001
Novel coronavirus - Saudi Arabia (03): UK HPA, WHO, Qatar
20120923.1305982
Novel coronavirus - Saudi Arabia (02): additional cases, RFI
20120923.1305931
Novel coronavirus - Saudi Arabia: human isolate 20120920.1302733]
.................................................mpp/msp/jw
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Saturday 3 May 2014

Secret of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic uncovered - Daily Mail



Secret of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic uncovered - Daily Mail
INFLUENZA - GOOGLE NEWS | 29 APRIL 2014
http://pulse.me/s/19pjE5


Daily MailSecret of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic uncoveredDaily MailThe Human influenza A virus usually sees higher mortality ... Read more

Posted by Rob LW

Unusual Mortality Pattern of 1918 Influenza a Virus - Watching the Watchers

http://watchingthewatchers.org/indepth/1424090/unusual-mortality-pattern-1918-influenza

Posted by Rob LW

Warning As Mers Coronavirus Lands In UK

Warning As Mers Coronavirus Lands In UK

The non-UK national was diagnosed with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) after being taken to hospital with respiratory symptoms in the US.

The passenger had flown on a British Airways flight from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to Heathrow on April 24, before transferring to Chicago.

Public Health England (PHE) has contacted UK passengers on BA Flight 262 who were sitting near the affected passenger, but stressed the risk of infection was "extremely low".

Britons on the flight who become unwell or experience respiratory problems have been urged to contact NHS 111.

PHE is also working with US authorities to trace any UK passengers on the onward flight - American Airlines Flight 99 from London to Chicago.

It is the first case of MERS-CoV in the US, after diagnosis was confirmed by the United States Centre for Disease Control in Indiana.

Since mid-March, 111 people have tested positive in the Jeddah area of Saudi Arabia, WHO figures show - the biggest increase in the MERS-CoV outbreak since it was detected in April 2012.

There have been 401 confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection in 12 countries including 93 deaths, according to the US Centre for Disease Control.

Three people have died so far in the UK as a result of the infection - including one man who died at the end of June.

PHE said the last case to be detected in the UK was in February last year.

Cases have also been reported in France, Germany, Italy and Greece, across the Middle East in Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman and in other countries including Malaysia, Philippines and Tunisia.

PHE said the period between exposure to MERS-CoV and when symptoms might develop is up to 14 days.



Thanks


Rob

This email was sent from a mobile device with an annoyingly small keyboard, apologies for any typos

Monday 28 April 2014

SARS-Like MERS Virus Spreads to New Countries - ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/sars-mers-virus-spreads-countries/story?id=23491100

Posted by Rob LW

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