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IDRI Signs Research Collaboration Agreement With PATH

Swine Flu Information — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:26:00 +0000

IDRI signs Research Collaboration Agreement with PATH
Two global health non-profit organizations headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the Infectious Disease Research Institute and PATH, have entered into a Research Collaboration Agreement to evaluate novel adjuvants for their ability to enhance the immune response of pandemic influenza vaccines in development. The collaboration supports the goal of PATH's influenza vaccine project to advance the ...

Pandemic Influenza: Emergency Planning and Community

Swine Flu Information — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:25:12 +0000

The swine flu emergency needn’t become a crisis. This critically acclaimed work provides public health officials, doctors, responders, and emergency planners with accurate current information that will help them understand the nature of an outbreak, assess risk, answer public concerns, and develop informed strategies.

Devoid of sensationalism and agenda, this CRC Press resource provides all the information needed to understand pandemic influenzas including, avian, swine, and human variations and outlines the steps needed to develop and implement prevention, stabilization, and recovery efforts as needed at the local level.

"... an amazing resource ... Dr. Ryan has assembled some of the best experts in the field to guide you in understanding the threat of pandemic influenza and how it can affect you and the people you are responsible for. ..." --From the foreword by Lynn A. Slepski, Captain, United States Public Health Service

Make certain your response to Swine Flu is proactive and informed

Edited by Jeffrey Ryan, Institute for Emergency Preparedness, this volume —

Arms planners and responders with guidance from 13 leading experts

Takes lessons from past pandemics

Covers biological and clinical aspects of influenza

Discusses pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures

Details response actions related to communication, travel, and quarantine

While the swine flu outbreak has impacted Mexico; influenza has no respect for boundaries and is already being felt up north. Despite warnings from the World Health Organization, our preparedness continues to lag. Part of the problem is that the real action must occur at the local level. Triage, care, and containment, along with maintenance of infrastructure, are functions that must be carried out by local planners and responders.

The first section reviews the history of pandemics. The middle chapters examine the biology of a virus and clinical aspects of influenza. The final chapters examine international and federal programs and discuss response at the local level, including service continuation planning and fatality management.

Pandemic Influenza: Emergency Planning and Community Preparedness

Tags: response, Influenza, world health organization, pandemic influenza, Emergency

A Warning Shot: Influenza and the 2004 Flu Vaccine

Swine Flu Information — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 06:25:28 +0000

A Warning Shot is a story of paradoxes. It is about the failure of government regulatory oversight as well as the heroic efforts of public health officials to respond to the crisis. It is the story of catastrophic production failure at one company and the work of others to fill the void. It is a tale about the failure of national leadership to protect our nation’s vaccine supply at a time when many of these same leaders were taking great care to prepare for a potential pandemic influenza.

Tags: public health officials, Influenza, pandemic influenza, Story, Shot

Preventing Transmission of Pandemic Influenza and Other Viral

Swine Flu Information — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:17:12 +0000

In 2009, the H1N1 influenza pandemic brought to the forefront the many unknowns about the virulence, spread, and nature of the virus, as well as questions regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare personnel. In this book, the Institute of Medicine assesses the progress of PPE research and identifies future directions for PPE for healthcare personnel.

Preventing Transmission of Pandemic Influenza and Other Viral Respiratory Diseases: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers: Update 2010

Tags: pandemic influenza, Transmission (medicine), respiratory diseases, Other Viral Respiratory Diseases, 2009 flu pandemic, future directions

Inside the 2009 Influenza Pandemic

Swine Flu Information — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:28:04 +0000

The 2009 influenza pandemic, like all emerging infections, had unique characteristics and challenges. This book examines the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and outcome of the 2009 pandemic as compared to seasonal influenza and previous pandemics in both developed and developing countries. Consideration is given to the effectiveness of pre-pandemic planning in mitigating the severity of the disease and what can be done differently to lessen the impact of the next pandemic. As such, the book is designed to provide insight about what can be done going forward to further impact the morbidity and mortality due to both seasonal and pandemic influenza and many of these lessons can be applied to other emerging infections. There are many lessons to be learned from the 2009 pandemic. This book not only describes what happened in the 2009 pandemic, but also what can be done to better prepare for the next pandemic. Issues discussed include what components of the pandemic planning were effective and which were not. Additionally, the book describes research studies and policy changes that: are needed to better predict the occurrence and severity of a pandemic; improve prevention and treatment modalities; and, enable better communication with the public about actions they can take to protect themselves, families and communities.

Tags: Influenza, morbidity and mortality, planning, influenza pandemic, book, pandemic influenza

Strategic Communications Manager

Swine Flu Information — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:25:25 +0000

Strategic Communications Manager
USAID’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Initiative (APII), implemented by Abt Associates Inc., aims to strengthen Vietnam’s public and private capacities to prevent, rapidly detect, and respond to avian and pandemic influenza (API) and other infectious and zoonotic threats; and to begin preparing for a possible human influenza pandemic.

Tags: pandemic influenza, abt associates inc, Avian, Communications, Influenza

Pandemic Influenza - What You Need to Know

Swine Flu Information — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:26:16 +0000

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA is a widespread occurance of the influenza disease that attacks a great portion of the world's population. It occurs when new and novel strain of the influenza virus A surfaces and most of the world population do not have immunity.

The symtoms of influenza will emerge without us knowing or realising it. Signs and symptoms include:

# High fever of over 38 C

# Sore throat

# Headache

# Tiredness and fatigue

# Body ache

# Severe coughing without phlegm during the early stage

Normal body temperatures differs according to the places at which the readings were taken:

Mouth 35.5C to 37.5C ( 95.9F to 99.5F )

Ear 35.8C to 38.0C ( 96.4F to 100.4F )

Armpits 34.7C to 37.3C ( 94.5F to 99.1F )

Rectum (anus ) 36.6C to 38.0C (97.9F to 100.4F )

If you are experiencing any signs and symptoms of the influenza disease, you are advised to:

# Take fever medication such as paracetamol

# Drink alot of water

# Get alot of rest

# Avoid alcohol and smoking

# Stop visiting public places or gatherings to avoid spreading the disease to those around you

# Cover your nose and mouth with mask, tissue paper or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze

# Inform the relevant authorities about your health condition

Pay attention to the warning signs that could threaten the lives of children:

# Difficulty in breathing

# Lips turning blue

# Constantly exhausted or unable to move

# Lethargic, stupor or difficulties in getting out of bed

# Stiff neck

# Looks confused

# Having fits or convulsion

# Have not been urinating for the past 12 hours

Pay attention to the warning signs that could threatens the lives of adults:

# Prolonged fever for more than 5 days

# Difficulty in breathing, even while resting

# Lips turning blue

# Chest pain while breathing ( inhaling )

# Coughing without phlegm

# Feels that you are recovering, but suddenly having fever and compressed breathing all over again

# Looks confused and lacking orderliness

# Becoming unconscious

If you experience any of the warning signs above, please proceed IMMIDIATELY to the SPECIAL COUNTERS at the designated hospitals.

Tags: influenza virus, normal body temperatures, phlegm, Influenza, body

Vical Reports Successful Nonclinical Results With VaxfectinR Adjuvant MarketWatch Press Release

Swine Flu Information — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 02:34:10 +0000

Vical Reports Successful Nonclinical Results With Vaxfectin(R) Adjuvant
MarketWatch (press release)
Phase 1 clinical trials of Vaxfectin(R)-formulated H5N1 and H1N1 pandemic influenza DNA vaccines extended the immunogenicity results to humans, and demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability. The current publication reviews the nonclinical results ...

and more& »

Read the full story:
Vical Reports Successful Nonclinical Results With Vaxfectin(R) Adjuvant - MarketWatch (press release)

Tags: Results, phase 1 clinical trials, press release, pandemic influenza, H1N1 pandemic influenza DNA, Successful Nonclinical Results, Clinical trial

Hospital Clinic Has Supply of Flu Vaccine

Swine Flu Information — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:26:21 +0000

Hospital Clinic has supply of flu vaccine
Willliam Bee Ririe Rural Health Clinic announces that it has received the 2010-2011 vaccine which provides protection against A/H1N1 (pandemic) influenza and two other influenza viruses-influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B. It will not prevent illness caused by other viruses. It takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after the shot. Protection lasts about a year. People who received the 2009 ...

Scientists Review Fate of Pandemic H1N1 Flu Virus

Swine Flu Information — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:26:12 +0000

Scientists review fate of pandemic H1N1 flu virus
Washington, Sep 29 : In a new commentary, scientists have reviewed the fates of previous pandemic influenza viruses in the years following a pandemic and speculate on possible future courses for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) virus during the upcoming flu season and beyond.

Pandemic Influenza 1700-1900

Swine Flu Information — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:25:44 +0000

Tags: Influenza, Environmental Health Perspectives, River Thames, Pandemic, pandemic influenza, Sewage treatment Related Swine Flu PostsIs the World Prepared for a Deadly Influenza Pandemic? (InInfluenza járványThe 1918 Influenza Pandemic (Epidemic!)

Introduction to Pandemic Influenza (Modular Texts)

Swine Flu Information — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:24:58 +0000

Pandemic influenza is an example of an emerging pathogen that could have, and has had, serious public health consequences. Following three global pandemics in the last 100 years and the recent avian and swine influenza outbreaks, preparedness on national and international scales is of vital importance.With a strong emphasis on practical preparedness issues, and covering areas not dealt with by traditional texts, this book covers influenza epidemiology, vaccinology, virology and immunology, pharmaceutical and public health countermeasures, policy issues, biomathematical modelling, ethics and communication between health professionals and the public, promoting the better understanding of influenza that will be needed to battle future pandemics.Each chapter raises five key questions at the beginning and proceeds to answer them in clear and concise sections, also providing selected papers for further reading and detailing relevant modelling studies. It is an essential text students in virology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, public health and medical sciences, and for all those involved in pandemic preparedness.

Tags: Infectious disease, Modular Texts, better understanding, health professionals, public health consequences

Combating the Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Drug Discovery

Swine Flu Information — Wed, 25 May 2011 06:25:42 +0000

Drug discovery for influenza antivirals

Priorities for combating pandemic influenza include rapid detection and identification, the quick administration of available drugs to treat the infection, the development of new antivirals, and the development of vaccines. Since lead-time may be required to produce an effective vaccine, antivirals would serve as a key first line of defense in containing an outbreak. Diverse antivirals, acting through different mechanisms, would help stay the development of resistant viruses. Thus, drug discovery for influenza antivirals is an important public health-related endeavor.

With chapters contributed by leading international specialists, this guide gets readers up to speed on the latest advances and technologies in diverse approaches to drug discovery, covering:
*

Existing antivirals, including broadly effective anti-respiratory virus agents
*

The development of high-throughput screening assays
*

IFN resistance
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The development of nucleic acid-based antiviral drugs
*

Antiviral RNAi strategies targeting influenza virus
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Other promising antiviral drug discovery strategies

Combating the Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Drug Discovery Approaches consolidates the latest information on diverse approaches into one comprehensive resource. It is an invaluable, hands-on reference for researchers in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, drug discovery, biochemistry, virology, microbiology, and public health.

Combating the Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Drug Discovery Approaches

Tags: Combating, high throughput screening, development, Influenza, influenza drug, pandemic influenza

World Health Assembly Opens 64th Session in Geneva CIDRAP

Swine Flu Information — Tue, 17 May 2011 04:44:23 +0000

UN News Centre

World Health Assembly opens 64th session in Geneva
CIDRAP
In her speech, Chan characterized the agreement as a set of strategies that will help improve the world's pandemic preparedness, facilitate sharing of influenza viruses, and extend the reach of new drugs and vaccines to developing countries. ...
World Health Assembly opens, pandemic influenza high on agendaXinhua
WHO Assembly Opens to Discuss Global Readiness for Pandemic InfluenzaArirang News
New Technologies Lead to Major Achievements in Health BenefitsVoice of America
Kaiser Family Foundation& -Intellectual Property Watch (blog)& -World Health Organization (press release)
all 18 news articles& »

Read the full story:
World Health Assembly opens 64th session in Geneva - CIDRAP

Tags: world, AmericaKaiser Family, Conditions and Diseases, pandemic influenza, pandemic preparedness, influenza pandemic, Geneva CIDRAP

The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready? Workshop Summary

Swine Flu Information — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:27:31 +0000

Public health officials and organizations around the world remain on high alert because of increasing concerns about the prospect of an influenza pandemic, which many experts believe to be inevitable. Moreover, recent problems with the availability and strain-specificity of vaccine for annual flu epidemics in some countries and the rise of pandemic strains of avian flu in disparate geographic regions have alarmed experts about the world's ability to prevent or contain a human pandemic. The workshop summary, "The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready?" addresses these urgent concerns.The report describes what steps the United States and other countries have taken thus far to prepare for the next outbreak of 'killer flu'. It also looks at gaps in readiness, including hospitals' inability to absorb a surge of patients and many nations' incapacity to monitor and detect flu outbreaks. The report points to the need for international agreements to share flu vaccine and antiviral stockpiles to ensure that the 88 percent of nations that cannot manufacture or stockpile these products have access to them. It chronicles the toll of the H5N1 strain of avian flu currently circulating among poultry in many parts of Asia, which now accounts for the culling of millions of birds and the death of at least 50 persons. And it compares the costs of preparations with the costs of illness and death that could arise during an outbreak.

Tags: pandemic influenza, Avian, Flu, Influenza, influenza pandemic, pandemic strains

Global View of the Fight Against Influenza

Swine Flu Information — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:25:15 +0000

Influenza has become an important infectious disease with regard to its enormous clinical and economic impact on population health. Due to the recent pandemic threat by the world-wide spread of H5N1 avian influenza, the World Health Organization has shown its profound concerns regarding the possibility of having the virus spread among humans. These concerns have raised the question of vital importance: in the absence of a specific avian flu vaccine, could antiviral drugs obstruct a pandemic should the virus spread from birds to humans? Since there is a lot of mis-information out there that needs correcting, this book discovers a global view of the fight against influenza. The comprehensive account of the up-to-date research achievements is written by 50 eminent scientists from around the world (14 different countries - U.S.A., China, Russia, Japan, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Serbia, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, South Africa). The contents cover major critical issues such as: the molecular evolution of influenza viruses, the origin and control of pandemic influenza, the pathology and pathogenesis of avian influenza H5N1 infection in humans, the high resistance of H5N1 influenza A virus to the currently approved anti-viral drugs, the structure-based design of novel, more potent, H5N1 influenza A virus neuraminidase inhibitors, the current progress and pitfalls in the development of adequate vaccines, the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) resources for the global research community to support development of novel influenza therapeutics, the improved strategies of eradicating endemic public health problems through effective, cause-oriented natural therapies, and the prevention policies against influenza pandemic with their applications. This book also indicates the future directions in which the war versus influenza is to be developed, thus ensuring its scientific priority. This material can be enriched in a number of ways, primarily by including additional the 'Expert Commentary' chapters. In such a fashion the interdisciplinary character of this book would be even more pronounced. This book is intended to serve as a valuable professional reference for health care professionals, health science administrators, scientific industry leaders, lab directors, and researchers of various backgrounds, including medicine, pharmacy, chemistry, structural biology, biotechnology, and molecular modelling. Since the separate chapters are largely self-contained, the edited collection is also expected to be used for graduate teaching and, in principle, requires no prerequisite other than a solid background defined by the interface between life and medical sciences.

Tags: Influenza, View, Avian, pandemic influenza, avian flu vaccine