The Director-General has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from the current phase 3 to phase 4 [see explanation in comment at end].

Transcription

1 Influenza A (H1N1) "swine flu": Worldwide (02) To: (02) Virology, general; (05) Zoonoses, general; (24) Emergency diseases ************************************************* INFLUENZA A (H1N1) "SWINE FLU?: WORLDWIDE (02) ********************************************** A ProMED-mail post In this update: [1] WHO statement 27 Apr 2009 [2] WHO update 3 [3] Mexico update [4] USA (5 states): 40 cases confirmed [5] UK (Scotland): 2 cases confirmed [6] BBC news updates: worldwide ************* [1] WHO statement 27 Apr 2009 Source: WHO [edited] < Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan 27 April 2009 Swine influenza - The Emergency Committee, established in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005), held its 2nd meeting on 27 April The Committee considered available data on confirmed outbreaks of A/H1N1 swine influenza in the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. The Committee also considered reports of possible spread to additional countries. Current WHO phase of pandemic alert - On the advice of the Committee, the WHO Director-General decided on the following. The Director-General has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from the current phase 3 to phase 4 [see explanation in comment at end]. The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable. As further information becomes available, WHO may decide to either revert to phase 3 or raise the level of alert to another phase. This decision was based primarily on epidemiological data demonstrating human-to-human transmission and the ability of the virus to cause community-level outbreaks. Given the widespread presence of the virus, the Director-General considered that containment of the outbreak is not feasible. The current focus should be on mitigation measures. International Health Regulations (IHR) The Director-General recommended NOT to close borders and NOT to restrict international travel. It was considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention. The Director-General stressed that all measures should conform with the purpose and scope of the International Health Regulations. Vaccine page 1

2 - The Director-General considered that production of seasonal influenza vaccine should continue at this time, subject to reevaluation as the situation evolves. WHO will facilitate the process needed to develop a vaccine effective against A/H1N1 virus. Kunihiko Iizuka Formerly anonymous source and ProMED award winner 2005 **************** [2] WHO update 3 Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 Source: WHO [edited] < Swine influenza - update 3 The current situation regarding the outbreak of swine influenza A(H1N1) is evolving rapidly. As of 27 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including 7 deaths [but see report below], Canada has reported 6 cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths. Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis. WHO advises NO restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities. There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness. Communicated by Marianne Hopp, WHO notifications, ProMED **************** [3] Mexico update Source: Washington Post Foreign Service [edited] < Mexico Raises Swine Flu Death Toll to 149 [suspected] - The suspected death toll from the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico rose Monday [27 Apr 2009] to 149 people as health authorities cancelled all schools across the country until 6 May Mexican cabinet officials led by Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova gave a press conference today [27 Apr 2009] in Mexico City with the latest information they have gathered about the outbreak of a deadly new strain of swine flu that has halted many aspects of public life here and appears to continue to be spreading. Since the first case of swine flu was reported, 1995 people have been hospitalized with serious cases of pneumonia, said Cordova, and 1070 of these people have been released. He said 20 of the deaths so far have been confirmed as swine flu, but that just 2 laboratories in the country, one in Mexico City and one in the state of Veracruz, are able to confirm this new strain. [By Joshua Partlow] page 2

3 ************ [4] USA (5 states): 40 cases confirmed Source: CDC [edited] < U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection (As of April 27, :00 PM ET) California 7 cases Kansas 2 cases New York City 28 cases Ohio 1 case Texas 2 cases TOTAL COUNT 40 cases CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency's response to this emerging health threat and yesterday [26 Apr 2009] the Secretary of the Department Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United States. This will allow funds to be released to support the public health response. CDC's goals during this public health emergency are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to assist health care providers, public health officials and the public in addressing the challenges posed by this newly identified influenza virus. To this end, CDC has issued a number of interim guidance documents in the past 24 hours. In addition, CDC's Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak. Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available. ************ [5] UK (Scotland): 2 cases confirmed Date: Mon 27 Apr 2009 Source: BBC News, Scotland [edited] < 2 people admitted to a Scottish hospital after returning from Mexico have been confirmed as the 1st British cases of swine flu. Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said both patients, a man and a woman, were recovering well. She said 7 other people who had been in contact with them were now displaying mild symptoms. Both the Scottish patients were from the Forth Valley area of central Scotland. The pair, who had been traveling together, returned from Mexico on 21 Apr ******** page 3

4 [6] BBC news updates: worldwide Source: BBC news.com [edited] UK probes '17 swine flu reports'. There have also been cases of swine flu reported in Canada and a suspected case in France. Swine flu is usually found in pigs and contracted only by people in contact with the animals. <news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/ stm> Some reports say as many as 149 people may have died from swine flu, but WHO officials put the figure much lower and said only about 20 of the deaths could be definitely attributed to swine flu. <news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/ stm> Israel renames unkosher swine flu. Israel's health minister updates a nervous public about the swine flu epidemic - and starts by renaming it Mexican flu. <news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/ stm> Swine flu fears hit travel shares. Global stock markets fall, with airlines leading the declines on fears over the economic impact of the swine flu outbreak. <news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/ stm> ************ [WHO Phase 4 "is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause 'community-level outbreaks.'... Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion." < A 6th US state, Minnesota, has reported a suspect case. The pharmaceutical company GSK?s shares have risen as it promises to produce more of the flu antiviral Relenza. For a global map of suspected & confirmed cases, see Google maps: < When checking the HealthMap swine flu map at: < be aware that the markers on China, Japan & Hawaii do NOT mean that they are reporting suspect cases, only that they are mentioned in swine flu news stories. - Mod.JW] [see also: Influenza A (H1N1) "swine flu": Worldwide Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human: worldwide Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - New Zealand, susp Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America (04) Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America (03) Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America (02) Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America Acute respiratory disease - Mexico, swine virus susp Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA (02): (CA, TX) Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA: (CA) Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - Spain Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA (TX) Influenza A (H2N3) virus, swine - USA Influenza, swine, human - USA (IA): November ] page 4

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6 Název souboru: Dokument1 Adresář: Šablona: L:\Hruska\CNFI prevod\cgni template2.dot Název: Předmět: Autor: Andrea Ďurišová Klíčová slova: Komentáře: Datum vytvoření: :32:00 Číslo revize: 1 Poslední uložení: Uložil: Andrea Ďurišová Celková doba úprav: 40 min. Poslední tisk: :12:00 Jako poslední úplný tisk Počet stránek: 5 Počet slov: (přibližně) Počet znaků: (přibližně)