SWINE FLU NEWS

[dothedd]

Flu kills 27 with Britain on brink of epidemic

Last Updated: Dec 28, 2010

LONDON

Britain appears to be heading towards its first full-blown influenza epidemic - including the deadly swine flu strain - in more than a decade.

With the number of cases requiring intensive care treatment in hospital more than doubling last week to 460, the levels of influenza are now rising more sharply than they did in 1999, when an epidemic produced a crisis over beds for the National Health Service.

Other European countries have reported a surge in cases over the Christmas holidays, prompting a warning from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control that countries anywhere in the northern hemisphere could expect a rise in flu infection.

A resurgent H1N1 swine flu virus has killed 56 and infected 1,172 people in Egypt since October 8, a Ministry of Health official said yesterday. In Sri Lanka, acurrent outbreak of swine flu has infected more than 300 people and 22 have died in the past two months, the island nation's health ministry said yesterday.

Syria has reported three deaths so far this month, according to a health ministry official. Those who died were hospitalised in December seriously ill with the disease, Hala al Khayer, the director of communicable diseases at the Syrian ministry of health told AFP, adding a fourth person was cured.

But Britain remains one of the worst affected, with the flu rate in England and Wales having tripled last week to 87.1 cases per 100,000 people in a population of 53 million.

A total of 27 Britons have died this month, 24 of them from the swine flu strain. Nine of them were children.

"The numbers now are worse than they were in winter of 1999 and the curve is steeper. When you look at the graph, the line for this year, it is incredibly unsettling - it looks like scaling Everest," said Prof John Oxford, a virologist and influenza expert at the London Hospital. "If that trend continues I would not be surprised if we get to epidemic levels within one week."

The situation prompted Prof Dame Sally Davies, the UK government's chief medical officer, to change the advice to doctors on prescribing Tamiflu, the main anti-viral drug used to fight swine flu.

Instead of restricting the drug to high-risk groups, such as the elderly and infirm, she said that doctors should prescribe it to anyone who might benefit.

However, the surge in demand has led to pharmacists complaining that they cannot get sufficient supplies fast enough from wholesalers.

Another problem is being caused by the sudden increase in the number of flu patients requiring intensive care beds, which has led to other, major operations being cancelled.

Dr Bob Winter, the president of the Intensive Care Society, told yesterday's Daily Mail that to preserve space in intensive care, hospitals have begun postponing elective surgical procedures and serious cancer surgery.

"My own hospital [Nottingham University Hospital] has cancelled elective surgery that involves the need of critical care beds," he said. "This includes oesophagectomies and non-urgent cardiac surgery. Other areas in the country, I know, are doing the same."

The government has been criticised for cancelling its annual advertising campaign this winter, urging vulnerable people to have a flu vaccination.

But Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, has defended the government's decision, saying it was much more effective for local doctors' surgeries to contact vulnerable patients and call them in for a jab.

"There is no additional merit in a vaccination advertising campaign for the general population when there is already a targeted approach for those who need to be called," he said.
The H1N1 swine flu was first identified in Mexico in April 2009 and was quickly declared a world pandemic, causing more than 17,800 deaths in more than 200 countries, according too the World Health Organisation.

www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide....ink-of-epidemic

[dothedd]

Global flu warning after UK hit

Experts are urging people to have the vaccine in the UK to protect them against flu viruses

NHS Direct calls increase by 50%
Flu cases have doubled, GPs say
Winter flu 'hits intensive care'

Northern hemisphere countries are being told by health experts to brace themselves for flu outbreaks.

There has been a well-publicised surge of cases in the UK during December with swine flu appearing to be the dominant of the three strains circulating.

But the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control warned much of the rest of Europe was also beginning to see increases too.

Meanwhile, parts of the US and Canada have reported higher levels.

Many of those being infected are younger age groups. This is because elderly people have some immunity to swine flu, most probably because of exposure to a similar strain many years ago.

In the UK, the number of people who have died with all types of flu this winter hit 27 this week after another 10 deaths.

The volume of patients going to their doctor with flu-like illnesses also rose, more than doubling to 87.1 per 100,000 in the past week.

Children

Cases have been highest in children aged between five and 14, followed by children under four and then those aged between 15 and 44.

But the UK's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said a very large outbreak was "not likely".

The situation has led to a rise in patients in intensive care beds and also in those using the NHS's phone hotline, NHS Direct.

Health experts said most people with flu would be able to "self-care" by taking plenty of rest, drinking fluids and taking pain relief.

However, those with severe symptoms are being advised to consult their doctor.

Professor John Watson, an expert in respiratory disease at the HPA, said: "The level of flu activity we are currently seeing is at levels often seen during the winter flu seasons.

"Recent research conducted by the HPA has suggested that a very substantial wave of activity associated with the pandemic strain is not likely."

In the UK at-risk groups are being urged to come forward for vaccinations. The numbers getting immunised are still too low, doctors have said.

The rates being seen elsewhere in Europe are not as high as in the UK, but the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said there was evidence that the winter flu epidemics were "starting".

Russia and the Ukraine are thought to be the worst hit outside the UK.

[dothedd]

NHS Direct calls increase by 50% during cold spell

Extra staff have been hired to help out at NHS Direct

Telephone and internet advice service NHS Direct has recorded a 50% increase in calls, due to illnesses linked to the cold weather.

The organisation received about 46,000 calls last weekend and is hiring more staff to deal with the number of inquiries.

The Daily Mail newspaper said the service was "at breaking point" with long waiting times for medical advice.

But the Department of Health said the service was coping "very well".

'Worst ever'

NHS Direct's chief executive, Nick Chapman, has apologised to patients who have had to wait longer than expected to be dealt with.

He said: "The excessively cold weather creates demand for health care generally, and in particular for telephone services that you do not need to leave the house to access.

"We are taking a number of actions to address and improve the service at this busy time, which include increasing the number of permanent and temporary staff and providing more opportunities for staff to work from home for short periods at our busiest times."

The Mail said almost 960 people an hour called the helpline last weekend, with the senior nurse telling the paper that the situation was "by far the worst it has ever been".

The paper claimed some people had had to wait for up to two days to speak to a nurse, after making the initial call.

NHS Direct said that for the week commencing 13 December, 99% of urgent calls were dealt with within 20 minutes.

Continue reading the main story

Start Quote
"The excessively cold weather creates demand for health care generally, and in particular for telephone services that you do not need to leave the house to access”
End Quote
Nick Chapman

NHS Direct

BBC health: Reduce your flu risk
It also said 59% of less urgent calls were dealt with in an hour, with 90% being dealt with in four hours.

And 69% of non urgent calls were dealt with within two hours, with 90% being dealt with during the same day.

Increased pressure

The Department of Health announced on Tuesday that 302 people were currently in intensive care with flu, and that 17 people had died.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the NHS is "well prepared".

She said: "We are currently seeing an unusually high number of people in critical care with flu.

"There is always more pressure on the NHS at this time of year and this year is no different.

"But the NHS is coping very well with only a small percentage of the intensive care capacity being taken up by patients with flu.

"However, as a cautionary approach, local health trusts are looking at how they can increase capacity if necessary."

[dothedd]

North America put on a flu alert.

It appears that the virulent H1N1 will dominate, but with the fickle flu bug a different strain such as H3N2 may prevail.

[dothedd]

29 December 2010 Last updated at 09:24 ET
BBC News

GPs report flu cases rose again last week

Flu cases have risen again in England and Wales, according to figures from GPs.

Levels of flu - including H1N1 swine flu - have gone up by almost 50% in the past week, says the Royal College of GPs.

The flu tally reached 124 per 100,000 people in the week to Christmas, up from 86 cases in the previous week.

Health officials in England define an epidemic as 200 cases per 100,000.

Wednesday's figures come amid political debate over the decision not to give all young children a flu jab this winter.

Labour has criticised the lack of protection for healthy under-fives, but the government says they were excluded on medical and not cost grounds.

The latest figures show the highest rates are in children aged under five - at 184 cases per 100,000.

Professor Steve Field, a former chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said there was no indication in the current expert advice that across-the-board vaccination of young children is necessary.


Steve Field, the former the chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said those children at risk should be vaccinated as soon as possible.

He told the BBC: "Looking at the evidence - looking at where we are in this early epidemic, there doesn't seem to be any indication.

"But we do need to do better in those children who have asthma, who've got heart disease or other diseases and particularly pregnant women.

"I'm worried about the number of sick pregnant women who haven't been vaccinated. And we can prevent this illness by vaccination, which is safe."

The latest figures give an indication of the extent of this winter's flu outbreak, based on people visiting GP surgeries in England and Wales with flu-like symptoms.

Flu cases have risen steadily in England and Wales from 32.8 per 100,000 in week 49, to 85.8 in week 50, to 124.4 in week 51.

The latest figures for Scotland, released on 23 December, show a rate of GP consultations for flu of 45.8 per 100,000.

In Northern Ireland, the latest figures available - for week 50 - show an increase from 28.1 to 64.6 per 100,000.

New figures for flu cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be released on Thursday.

A Department of Health spokesperson said the figures for England and Wales were "in keeping with what we would expect during a winter flu season".

The spokesperson added: "But everyone can do their bit to help keep well - simple measures like washing your hands help stop flu spreading.

"The Chief Medical Officer has issued clear advice to get the seasonal flu jab if you are in a vulnerable group, particularly pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions, as well as those aged 65 and over."

The vaccine protects against H1N1, the same strain of flu behind last year's swine flu pandemic, and also protects against the H3N2 and B strains.

Meanwhile, managers at a hospital on Merseyside have suspended visiting until further notice to minimise the chances of visitors passing on colds and flu.

Restrictions apply to relatives of patients at Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, Wirral.

French 'epidemic'

A flu outbreak has also been reported in France.

French health experts said on Wednesday the country was officially in the grip of a flu epidemic, with 176,000 people sick, two of whom have died.

In the UK, 27 people have died from flu this season, of which nine were children. Among the fatalities, 24 had swine flu. Three suffered from another strain, flu type B.

According to the World Health Organisation, flu epidemics result globally in about three to five million cases of severe illness per year and 250,000-500,000 deaths.

[dothedd]

Flu vaccine policy for children defended

The swine flu virus is targeting the young, and not the elderly, experts say.

Global flu warning after UK hit

Flu cases have doubled, GPs say
Children under five were not included in this year's flu vaccination programme because of medical and not cost grounds, the government says.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley accepted independent advice not to repeat last year's jabs for children, the Department of Health said.

It said its policy was based on age and risk factors and was always under review.

Labour has criticised a lack of protection for young children.

The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issues seasonal vaccine advice and recommended that healthy children under five were not at risk, officials said.

For its advice during 2009's swine flu outbreak, it had recommended healthy under-5s be vaccinated.

In a statement, committee chairman Professor Andrew Hall said: "The JCVI has never recommended that children under five who are not in an at-risk group be vaccinated as part of the seasonal flu programme.

"All children under five were routinely vaccinated during the pandemic flu vaccination programme, but in line with previous years and the current evidence, the JCVI did not recommend healthy children under five were vaccinated against flu during the current season."

Responding to media reports that the decision was a cost-cutting measure to save £85m, the Department of Health said: "Our influenza immunisation programme has been designed to protect those particularly at risk from serious disease, either from influenza itself or in whom influenza would make their underlying disease worse."

'Unusual situation'

Figures published by the Health Protection Agency on 24 December showed the number of people in critical care with confirmed or suspected flu in England had risen to 460 - more than double the number of a week before.

"The thing about this swine flu is that it doesn't go for elderly people, it doesn't go for anyone over the age of 60”

Professor John Oxford
Virologist

Of those, 366 were aged between 16 and 64, 51 were aged 65 and over, 26 were under five and another 17 were aged between five and 15.

Of the 27 people to have died from flu this season so far, nine were children. Among the fatalities, 24 had swine flu. Three suffered from another strain, flu type B.

This year's vaccine protects against H1N1, the same strain of flu behind last year's swine flu pandemic, and also protects against the H3N2 and B strain.

Professor John Oxford, a virologist at Barts and the Royal London, said the current statistics for flu cases were "unsettling", and could worsen over the next week.

"The thing about this swine flu is that it doesn't go for elderly people, it doesn't go for anyone over the age of 60. It's going for youth and that's a rather unusual situation that we're all grasping with," he said.

"The vaccine campaigns in the past have concentrated on the over-65s. From now on they're going to have to concentrate as well on youth, and young people are the most difficult to persuade either that they've got something or to go into their doctor and get something."

'Political opportunism'

Mr Lansley said people should not be concerned about the vaccine.

"The seasonal flu vaccine is decided internationally by the World Health Organization, we can see now that this swine flu, plus influenza B plus another flu strain is circulating. The flu vaccine is an effective vaccination against that," he said.

He defended the decision to axe the national publicity campaign to save cash, and urged those in vulnerable groups to take up invitations to have the jab.

"There is no additional merit in a vaccination advertising campaign for the general population when there is already a targeted approach for those who need to be called," he said.

"People who are at risk, and indeed pregnant women and over-65s, should be taking up the offer of vaccination, they have been contacted by their GP surgeries."

Shadow health secretary John Healey accused ministers of leaving children at risk.

"We knew this would not be like normal winter flu, because we dealt with it last year as part of the world swine flu pandemic," he said.

"We knew it can put people seriously ill in hospital, and we knew it hits young children and others who are not normally badly ill with flu."

But health minister Simon Burns accused Labour of stooping to a "new low of political opportunism".

"By calling on the government to reject independent scientific advice, they risk undermining the public confidence in immunisation programmes which is so crucial to their success," he said.

"John Healey is either spectacularly ill-informed or playing politics with people's health. He should either apologise or be ashamed."

[dothedd]

H1N1 report identifies 34 ways to better handle flu pandemic
December 29, 2010

The Canadian Press


OTTAWA—The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified 34 ways it could do better the next time an influenza pandemic strikes the country.

The agency released its lessons learned report on how the government handled the H1N1 pandemic of 2009.

Overall, the agency said the government's response to the pandemic was effective.

“For H1N1, lessons learned from the first wave were applied to activities during the second wave,” the report said.

“It is expected that the lessons learned from this Review will lead to an even more efficient and effective response to future pandemics and other types of national public health events.”

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that there were 8,678 hospital admissions related to the pandemic, including 1,473 admissions to intensive care.

There were 428 deaths.

The government report noted that some of the government's effectiveness stemmed from putting in place recommendations made following other disease outbreaks, like SARS in 2003 and listeriosis in 2008.

But some of the failures of how the H1N1 pandemic was handled were also due to the fact that other recommendations from those instances weren't implemented.

Those included putting in place a public health surveillance system.

During the H1N1 outbreak, the report noted, it was impossible to track vaccine uptake and immunization coverage.

Another report examining Canada's performance during the H1N1 outbreak was also released Wednesday and reached the same conclusion.

A Senate committee report made 18 recommendations of its own on how the country could be better prepared.

They include putting in place a backup vaccine supplier.

“Canada managed very well compared with other countries,” said Senator Kelvin K. Ogilvie, deputy chair of the committee, in a statement.

“I was impressed with how far we have come in national preparedness since SARS. We had a remarkable degree of co-operation across national, provincial and municipal jurisdictions.”

[dothedd]

Flu cases up by 45% in a weekIncrease in England and Wales in line with winter expectations, says Department of Health

Wednesday 29 December 2010 14.48 GMT

Cases of flu in England and Wales have jumped 44.9% in the past week, the Royal College of General Practitioners said today.

The RCGP reported that cases of flu reached 124.4 per 100,000 people in the week ending 26 December, compared with 85.8 per 100,000 cases the previous week.

"These figures are in keeping with what we would expect during a winter flu season," said a Department of Health spokesman. "But everyone can do their bit to help keep well – simple measures like washing your hands help stop flu spreading."

The department said it was pleased to hear that, according to RCGP estimates, vaccine coverage in over-65s had caught up with last year.

"Compared with last week's equivalent rates, the incidence of ILI (influenza-like illnessess) has increased by about 50%," the RCGP said. "The increase was evident in all age groups except schoolchildren (for obvious holiday reasons). There has been a substantial increase in age groups 45-64. Increased incidence of other respiratory illnesses are small."

Weekly figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), to be released tomorrow, are expected to show an increase in flu cases as well.

Infection experts say the number of flu cases is rising and will peak this week or early next week. The number of people affected has increased for about three weeks, but the next seven days should see the high point of the winter flu season, which usually lasts for six to eight weeks.

Seasonal flu usually begins in January, but this year it struck in early December, and experts cannot explain why.

Hospitals are preparing for further outbreaks, and senior doctors say last year's major outbreak of swine flu has helped prepare them.

Last week there was a doubling in the number of people receiving critical care in hospitals to 460, and a jump from 10 to 27 in the number of deaths attributed to flu – 24 of which involved H1N1 swine flu. The figures go up to last Thursday.

[dothedd]

Swine flu: The 'perfect storm' as flu victims soar, winter vomiting bug spreads, more elderly fall ill... so how will hospitals cope?

Last updated at 9:24 AM on 29th December 2010
A ‘perfect storm’ of winter illness will batter Britain’s health services today.

Hospitals will be pushed to breaking point by a post-Christmas deluge of patients suffering from flu and the winter vomiting bug.
Accident and emergency departments are bracing themselves for a surge of referrals as GP practices open for the first time after the extended bank holiday weekend.

They are also expecting high numbers of elderly patients to be brought in as they are visited by care workers for the first time in four days.

Soaring levels of both seasonal and swine flu will heap extra strain on hospitals already dealing with cases of the sickness bug norovirus, which usually peak at this time of year.

It is feared many potentially seriously ill patients will have waited until after the four-day weekend to see their doctor, pushing services to the limit.

The swine flu outbreak sparked a furious war of words last night as Health Minister Simon Burns accused Labour of exploiting the virus for political ends.

He rejected claims by Shadow Health Secretary John Healey that the Government had ‘cancelled’ a flu jab plan for under-fives to save money.

Mr Burns insisted that ministers ruled out a blanket vaccination programme for youngsters on medical grounds.

But as the virus continued to sweep the country yesterday, an expert warned that Britain is on the ‘cusp’ of an epidemic.
Virologist professor John Oxford, from the University of London, said that because two-thirds of the population did not get swine flu during the last two outbreaks, they risk falling victim now.
Dr Jim Wardrope, former president of the College of Emergency Medicine, who works at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, warned today would be one of the busiest of the year for hospitals.

'There is usually a peak after bank holiday weekends and this one has lasted four days,’ he said. ‘There is definitely extra pressure at the moment.

‘We have a perfect storm of flu and norovirus and the last few days have been extremely busy. It’s the same for departments across the country.’

[dothedd]

Published: 29/12/2010 08:00

Swine flu kills Queen's patient

A PATIENT at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital has died from swine flu, health chiefs have confirmed.

The Mail understands the victim was a man in his 40s, one of three admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit shortly before Christmas, but the patient’s identity has not been confirmed.
A hospital spokesman said: “Regrettably, a person who tested positive with swine flu has died. No further details will be released to protect the patient’s confidentiality.

“We would ask the media to respect the family’s privacy at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with them as they come to terms with their loss.”

Queen’s bosses say people who contract swine flu should not be alarmed as the majority would suffer no serious effects, but urged at-risk groups to contact their GP.

The spokesman said: “Once again, we would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that most people who contract swine flu will start to feel better after a few days without needing to go to their GP or the A&E department.

“However, some people may be more susceptible to the virus.
“If you have flu-like symptoms it is important you telephone your doctor if you are pregnant, very young, over 65 or have long-term conditions such as asthma or diabetes.”

Meanwhile, experts have renewed their call for people who are susceptible to swine flu to take the flu jab, which includes a vaccination for the H1N1 virus, after new figures revealed less than half of all the at-risk groups had received the vaccine this year.

Dame Sally Davies, the interim chief medical officer, yesterday urged people in at-risk groups who had not already received the flu jab to contact their GP or practice nurse immediately to arrange to do so.

Patients can check their symptoms online at the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk or by telephoning NHS Direct on 0845 4647. If they are still concerned they should telephone their GP for advice.

[dothedd]

US FLU VIEW: gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/main.html
30 Dec. 2010 at 11:14

Winter flu cases highest for ten years: figures

Children under five are now the worst affected by this year's flu outbreak, as official figures show that winter flu cases are at their highest level since the last epidemic a decade ago.

Official data showed that children under the age of five have the highest rates of flu of any age group, with 184 cases per 100,000.

Young children have overtaken those aged five to 14 as the school holidays mean rates have dropped among older children.

The figures will fuel the controversy about whether young children should have been offered the seasonal flu vaccine.

Last winter, all children under five were offered immunisation against swine flu on the NHS, but a government advisory committee recommended that it should not be repeated this winter.

Yesterday's figures from the Royal College of GPs showed that the sharpest rise in cases had been in adults aged 45 to 64, with the number of consultations almost doubling in a week.

Overall cases of flu increased by almost 50 per cent in the week to Boxing Day, meaning there are now 124 people with symptoms per 100,000.

The data from the Royal College of GPs shows that the last time seasonal flu cases were this high was in the 1999/2000 flu epidemic when an estimated 22,000 people died.

A flu epidemic is declared when the number of GP consultations about symptoms reaches 200 per 100,000.

Flu rates also rose higher than last week's levels during the 2008/9 swine flu pandemic, but most cases then occurred in the summer.

Officials are releasing batches of antiviral drug Tamiflu from the national stockpile left over from the pandemic to ease shortages of the medicine that cuts the length of the disease if given within two days of symptoms appearing.

The latest data from the Royal College of General Practitioners show rates remain highest in children aged under five, adding to controversy over whether to vaccinate this group against seasonal flu.

Officials have said flu rates remain within expected levels for this time of year but it is feared that the disease has not yet reached its winter peak.

Cases may surge again after the New Year as children go back to school.

NHS Direct had its busiest day of the year on Monday with more than 30,000 calls, of which almost one in seven was about symptoms of colds and flu.

Up to one in four intensive care beds in some parts of the country are being used for flu patients as NHS services come under increasing pressure.

Norovirus cases also peak at this time of year, leading to ward closures and staff shortages as patients and nurses fall ill.

A political row has broken out after it emerged that independent experts were considering whether to advise the routine vaccination of under fives against seasonal flu after campaigns last year to give them the jab against pandemic flu.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the H1N1 swine flu virus along with two other strains of flu, where as the pandemic vaccine only protected against H1N1.

Because pregnant women are at greater risk of complications if they contract swine flu they have been offered the seasonal vaccine this year for the first time. But under fives, who were also hit hard by last year's pandemic have not been including in the groups offered the seasonal jab under advice from independent experts.

The highest consultation rates were for children aged up to five with 184 consultations per 100,000 as parents are advised to seek help for flu in young children where as older children and adults are more likely to care for themselves without medical attention.

Rates of flu almost doubled in adults aged between 45 and 64 with 108 consultations per 100,000.

Cases dropped slightly among school age children between five and 14.

The weekly report from the RCGP said: "Compared with last week’s equivalent rates the incidence of influenza-like illness has increased by about 50 per cent.

"The increase was evident in all age groups except schoolchildren (for obvious holiday reasons). There has been a substantial increase in age groups 45-64. Increased incidence of other respiratory illnesses are small."

Flu consultations doubled in the North to reach 118 per 100,000 and there were smaller increases elsewhere. Flu rates remain highest in the South at 136 per 100,000 people.

There have been 27 deaths linked to flu so far this winter, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.

An NHS pressure group has warned that the flu outbreak could expose a "desperate" shortage in intensive therapy capacity.

Health Emergency claimed there was currently a lack of ITU capacity and specialist nurses which they said could put lives at risk if the flu outbreak gathered momentum in the New Year.

Geoff Martin, chairman of Health Emergency, said: "We are getting reports of intensive care units in London where up to a quarter of the beds are filled with swine flu cases and the crisis is getting worse by the day.

"Cuts in recent years to bed and staff numbers have left the NHS dangerously exposed and there is no doubt that many ITUs will soon have to close to new admissions, putting hundreds of lives at risk.

"The Government inaction on this growing crisis is outrageous. Instead of spending billions on their insane White Paper reorganisation they should be investing that cash to reopen closed ITU capacity right now."

The Department of Health said nationally the NHS was coping well and around one in seven intensive care beds are being used for flu patients.

He added: "These figures are in keeping with what we would expect during a winter flu season.

"But everyone can do their bit to help keep well – simple measures like washing your hand help stop flu spreading. The Chief Medical Officer has issued clear advice to get the seasonal flu jab If you are in a vulnerable group, particularly pregnant women and people with underlying health condition, as well as those aged 65 and over.

"We are pleased to hear from RCGP that their estimates show vaccine coverage in over 65s has now caught up with last year and coverage is still going up in under 65s in risk groups."

www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8229826/Winter-flu-cases-highest-for-ten-years-figures.html

[josie]

So is it a lack of vaccine availability or are the people just not opting to get the injections?

[dothedd]

Dec 30, 2010 14:42:59 GMT -5 josie said:

So is it a lack of vaccine availability or are the people just not opting to get the injections?

Good question, Josie:

IMO ... it's both.

My personal experience with adjuvanted live and/or weakened virus vaccines have not been positive, which is why I have opted-out until there is an adjuvant free vaccine for current subtypes or clades. Hopefully, Novavax will solve those problems in the not too far future.

Preliminary Safety and
Immunog enicity of N ovavax’s
2009 A/H1N1 VLP Vaccine
WHO 6th Influenza Meeting
February 18-19, 2010
Maria Allende, M.D.
***LINK: www.novavax.com/download/File/WHO.pdf

CLEVELAND CLINIC RECOGNIZES NEW STRATEGIES FOR
CREATING VACCINES FOR AVIAN FLU AS A TOP TEN MEDICAL
INNOVATION FOR 2009

Novavax uses strategies to create vaccines for avian flu through genetically-engineered virus like particles (VLPs)

ROCKVILLE, MD (November 13, 2008) – Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) announced today
that its strategy for treating avian flu through genetically-engineered virus-like particles (VLPs)
was ranked as a Top Ten Innovation at Cleveland Clinic 6th Annual Medical Innovation Summit.
Novavax, Inc. believes its vaccine initiatives have the potential to impact millions of people
affected by infectious diseases each year by creating novel vaccines that can be produced in a
cost effective and timely manner within the same scalable manufacturing platform worldwide.
VLPs are recombinant structures that mimic the size and shape of a virus but lack genetic
material and are therefore incapable of replication. Because they resemble actual infectious
particles presenting proteins in the same conformation as on the wild-type virus, they are able to
induce potent immune responses. Novavax’s VLP vaccine may be differentiated from other
influenza vaccines in several ways. First, it includes three viral proteins (incorporated in the
vaccine as three separate VLPs) important for inducing a broad immune response including two
surface proteins, hemmaglutinin (“HA”) and neuraminidase (“NA”), and a core matrix protein,
M1. The HA protein induces antibody that neutralizes or blocks the growth of the virus; NA
induces antibodies that prevent cell-to-cell transmission of virus down the respiratory tract,
potentially reducing the severity of influenza disease; and cell mediated immune responses to
M1 may lead to destruction of cells already infected. Further, the vaccine is made in cell culture
rather than eggs, which permits an exact genetic match to the flu strains causing illness since
there is no requirement for adapting the vaccine to grow in eggs.
www.novavax.com/download/releases/Cleveland%20ClinicNov08%20FO.pdf

***WHO, Influenza update - 30 December 2010 (edited)
[Source: World Health Organization, full page:http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/2010_12_30_GIP_surveillance/en/index.html

Influenza update - 30 December 2010

Influenza - Update 124


Summary

The winter influenza season is now under way in parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

North America is seeing increases of influenza-like illness (ILI) now above baseline levels in parts of Canada and the United States of America (US) associated primarily with influenza viruses A(H3N2) and type B.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) has been experiencing a surge in both mild and severe cases for the last three weeks which has not yet peaked and is primarily associated with influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus and to a lesser extent influenza type B.

The pattern of illness associated with H1N1 (2009) virus infection in the UK is similar to last season primarily affecting young adults, particularly those with underlying chronic illness or pregnancy although a number have had no known risk factors.

On the European continent, the Middle East and in northern Asia rates of influenza-like illness are low but recent increases have been noted in some areas.

In tropical regions, very little activity is noted in most of the world, however Sri Lanka has reported a marked increase in the number of both mild and severe cases related to H1N1 (2009) virus, including 22 deaths.

As in the UK, the deaths in Sri Lanka have been predominantly in people under the age of 60 years and most have had preexisting medical conditions.

No significant influenza transmission has been reported in Southern Hemisphere temperate regions.

Notably, the large majority of viruses that have been characterized from North America and the UK have been antigenically similar to those contained in the current trivalent influenza vaccine.

WHO continues to recommend vaccination for those at high risk of complications, where it is available, and early treatment of those at high risk or with severe or rapidly deteriorating disease.


Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere

North America

The US and Canada both continue to experience increases in all indicators of influenza activity.

Consultation rates for influenza-like illness (ILI) are still below the epidemic threshold in the US nationally; however, several south eastern states have crossed the threshold and are reporting high rates of ILI.

In Canada, the highest levels of ILI activity are currently being reported in the eastern and central provinces.

Rates of death related to pneumonia and influenza in the US were noted to be below the epidemic threshold.

Nationally, more than 15% of clinical specimens tested in the US and Canada are now positive for an influenza virus; which is increased in both countries over the previous week.

In the US, influenza type A viruses account for about 56% of virus detections and influenza type B, 44%.

In contrast, 99% of influenza viruses in Canada are type A.

In both countries, of the influenza A viruses that have been sub-typed, about 90% have been H3N2 with influenza H1N1 (2009) accounting for the other 10%.

All influenza viruses that have been characterized in the US and Canada are antigenically related to the viruses that make up the current vaccine, including the H3N2, H1N1, and type B viruses.

Data from Canada indicates that the age distribution of severe H1N1 cases is somewhat younger than those associated with H3N2 virus, with H1N1 continuing to predominantly affect younger adults and children and H3N2 being more evenly distributed and causing severe disease in older age groups.


Europe

The increase in ILI and severe respiratory disease noted in the UK in recent weeks has not yet peaked.

The UK reports that severe cases related primarily to influenza H1N1 (2009) continue to occur and a total of 17 have now required Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a form of advance respiratory support.

The rate of reported "all-cause" deaths in the UK passed the expected levels for this time of year in week 49.

Severe cases have been predominantly associated with H1N1 (2009), have been less than 65 y.o., and largely unvaccinated.

On the European continent, rates of respiratory disease are still relatively low but the number of countries reporting influenza detections and the rates of positivity in sentinel samples are increasing.

Of the 13 countries presenting calculated baseline thresholds, France, Ireland, the Russian Federation and Ukraine reported clinical consultation rates above their thresholds.

Overall in week 50/2010, 39% of sentinel samples tested positive for influenza compared with 20% in the previous week.

Of 465 samples positive for influenza virus, 318 (68%) were influenza A and 147 (32%) were influenza B.

Since week 40/2010, 161 influenza viruses have been characterized antigenically.

The type A viruses are all similar to those found in the current seasonal vaccine: 90 were A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like; 15 A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like.

However, the type B viruses were mixed: 5 were B/Florida/4/2006-like (B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage); and 51 were B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage).

The influenza B virus in the vaccine is Brisbane-like.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also circulating and 14 countries reported detections during week 50.


Middle East

The Islamic Republic of Iran has noted a sharp increase in H1N1 (2009) detections in the past week with smaller numbers of influenza type B.

Oman, which has reported increases in influenza virus detections for the past 3 to 4 weeks, continues to detect predominantly H1N1 (2009) with lower numbers of type B.

Algeria has detected primarily influenza type B in recent weeks.


Asia

ILI rates are beginning to increase in the temperate countries of Asia as well.

Mongolia has noted a sharp increase in the proportion of outpatients with ILI in sentinel clinics, which crossed the epidemic threshold 2 to 3 weeks ago.

China has noted slight increases recently in the northern part of the country, where 18% of specimens tested have been positive for influenza virus.

In both countries, influenza A (H3N2) virus has been the predominant virus detected with China also reporting smaller numbers of influenza type B.

The Republic of Korea and Japan have also noted low level but increasing rates of ILI.

In Republic of Korea, 35% of specimens tested were positive for influenza virus in week 50.

H1N1 (2009) is the predominant virus circulating in both countries although in Japan this represents a shift from recent weeks in which H3N2 virus was more commonly detected.


Countries in the tropical zone

Influenza activity in the tropical areas of the Americas is quite low with only sporadic activity being reported in most countries.

Previously noted influenza A (H3N2) transmission in Paraguay and Bolivia has decreased to near baseline levels.

In tropical Asia, Sri Lanka has experienced a marked increase in influenza cases in the last 3 to 4 weeks almost entirely associated with influenza H1N1 (2009) virus with small numbers of influenza type B.

Sri Lanka reports that 22 influenza related deaths have occurred so far this season, only two of which were in individuals 60 years of age or older.

Limited data from Viet Nam indicates community transmission of influenza there as well, predominantly influenza type B, but the remainder of southern Asia including India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Southern China and Chinese Taipei report very little or no influenza activity.

The small numbers of viruses detected in these areas have been a mixture of all three circulating types.

Data from the tropical areas of Africa are limited but indicate that no active transmission is occurring in Western Africa and continuing transmission of H1N1 (2009) in central Africa as evidenced by detections of the virus in Cameroon.

In Eastern Africa, Kenya and Madagascar both report ongoing transmission of H3N2 virus with occasional detections of influenza type B and A(H1N1) 2009.


Countries in the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere

The influenza season has ended in the temperate countries of the southern hemisphere and no appreciable community transmission is being reported from any of the countries monitored there.

[dothedd]

Swine Flu (H1N1) Infectivity to Increase Markedly and Lethality to Remain Low According to Latest Replikin* Peptide Genomic Data

Boston-based biotech firm Replikins Ltd. (www.replikins.com) last week analyzed the most recent peptide genomic sequence data available and determined that the infectivity of the H1N1 virus will increase markedly, while its lethality will remain relatively low for the immediate future. The company's quantitative analysis of the most recent sequence data available on PubMed, a standard scientific repository for published papers, showed an increase of 46% in the Replikin Count* over the past five months.


Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 23, 2009

Amid all the speculation over what course the Swine Flu epidemic will take, Boston-based biotech firm Replikins Ltd. (www.replikins.com) last week analyzed the most recent peptide genomic sequence data available and determined that the infectivity of the H1N1 virus will increase markedly, while its lethality will remain relatively low for the immediate future.

The company's quantitative analysis of the most recent sequence data available on PubMed, a standard scientific repository for published papers, showed an increase of 46% in the Replikin Count* over the past five months. This points to a marked increase in infectivity in humans. At the same time, while the total number of replikins has gone up significantly, their composition appears to have changed in a way that makes them more closely resemble their counterparts in earlier pandemics.

The firm, which had predicted a year ago the likelihood of the current H1N1 outbreak, used its proprietary FluForecast™ software program to make these determinations. "The dual differentiation of these properties may provide advance warning of the future course of H1N1," noted Samuel Bogoch MD PhD, chairman and founder of Replikins Ltd. "Our understanding of the protein chemistry of rapid replication enables us to develop synthetic vaccines specifically tailored to destroy or restrict replication of the targeted virus strains prior to an outbreak."

Earlier this month, Replikins announced that it had succeeded in synthesizing the first H1N1 influenza vaccine, which is now ready for testing. It used the same approach to produce a peptide H5N1 (avian flu) vaccine that successfully blocked low path H5N1. It has not previously been possible to correlate virus structures with a virus outbreak or cessation of outbreak, let alone to predict six to 12 months ahead of the outbreak or its cessation. In 2001, Drs. Samuel and Elenore Bogoch first demonstrated this correlation retrospectively for whole-organism replikin counts in outbreaks and pandemics of the common influenza strains over the past century.

About Replikins Ltd.
Replikins, Ltd. (www.replikins.com), a Boston-based biotech company, develops and markets novel forecasting tools and synthetic vaccines to fight virulent rapidly replicating diseases including bird flu, malaria, and HIV. The company's predictive products and vaccines in development are based upon the company's discovery of Replikins, a new group of peptides related to the rapid replication function in viral and other diseases. The company has designed unique products to predict the emergence of virulent strains of particular diseases (FluForecast™) and is designing synthetic vaccines specifically tailored to combat a given strain and against shared properties of several strains (Syntope™ vaccines). The company is partnering with governments and the private sector in providing predictive tools and vaccines in furtherance of the public health initiative to prevent and combat epidemics.

*The company's vaccines and predictive tools are based on the company's discovery of a new group of peptides related to rapid replication called Replikins, whose increase in concentration in virus or other organism proteins (Replikin Count™ = number of replikins per 100 amino acids) is associated with rapid replication.

[dothedd]

PREDICTED BY BIORADAR UK LTD. APRIL 09, 2010
H5N1 Bird Flu and H1N1 Swine Flu Replikin Counts™ Increasing

Information provided by Replikins, Ltd.
Published: 2010-04-09

H5N1 Outbreaks, Predicted One Year Ago by BioRadar™, Now Appear in 63 Countries; TransFlu™ Vaccine Shown Effective Against H5N1 in Chickens.

The most recent BioRadar™ (FluForecast™) analysis of the virus genomes of both H5N1, known for high lethality, and H1N1, known for high infectivity, indicates that the Replikin Counts™ of both strains are rising. Such Count increases in a specific strain have been invariably associated with clinical outbreaks of that strain.

The H1N1 outbreak in 2009 was predicted one year in advance by BioRadar™ software (replikins.com, Replikins Press, 2008). Previous H5N1 outbreaks, and their location (Indonesia), were correctly predicted, and most recently, the current H5N1 outbreak was similarly predicted one year in advance by BioRadar™ software (replikins.com, Replikins Press, January 15, 2010).

This new data will be presented at the forthcoming scientific workshop on the "Replikins BioRadar™ Surveillance System" on April 30th, sponsored by UK Trade and Investment, to take place at 1 Victoria Street, London. Scientists from public health institutions in the U.S., U.K., Denmark and France -- initial participants in the BioRadar™ surveillance network, will attend www.newsroom.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/news.ashx

Past pandemics have seen the predominance of only one influenza strain. The H1N1 virus Replikin Count, as of April 7, 2010, has not returned to pre-outbreak levels, but in fact is rising. At the same time, the H5N1 virus Replikin Count continues to rise in a third cycle, as predicted by H9N2-H5N1 data one year ago (replikins.com, Replikins Press, January 15, 2009), and now realized in new outbreaks of H5N1 reported in 63 countries (CIDRAP, March 23, 2010), with 22 human cases, 8 fatal this year (WHO, March 30, 2010). Egypt has reported 16 human cases, of which 5 have been fatal (CIDRAP, March 15, 2010). Vietnam has had 2 lethalities (Reuters, March 18, 2010).

Replikins, Ltd. has produced a Synthetic Replikins Vaccine, TransFlu™, with elements against both H5N1 and H1N1. In an independent trial, TransFlu™ vaccine has blocked H5N1 in chickens (doi: Avian Diseases 10.637/8892-042509-ResNote.1). This is one example of the function of the BioRadar™ system of "Early Detection->Rapid Response." Formulation of the TransFlu™ vaccine began over one year ago, based on H5N1 Replikins Analysis, when the increase in H5N1 virus Replikin Count predicted the present H5N1 outbreaks.

[dothedd]

Egypt's H1N1 Flu Cases Reach 2172

2011-01-03 22:55:10

A resurgent H1N1 flu virus has infected 838 people in Egypt within the last week of 2010, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2172.

According to Egypt's MENA news agency, Abdel-Rahman Shahin, the spokesman of Health Ministry said on Monday that the latest figures showed that the current rate of swine flu infection was at levels often seen during the winter flu seasons.

He added that the infection rate this year is lower than that of the same period last year, with the total number of confirmed cases since October, 2009 to January, 2010 being 14,846.

H1N1 flu was first discovered in Mexico and the United States in 2009 and quickly spread across the world. In early December last year, Shahin warned of an expected outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the upcoming couple of months.

IT HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN!

[misplacedbrit]

Of the origonal 27 in the UK, only 24 were Swine Flu.

Of those 27, 1 person had received all the flu shots (swine flu inclusive) but was still as sick as the rest.

[dothedd]

Thank you for the follow-up!

[dothedd]

04 Jan. 2011 at 19:11 Last news

www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=201988

Hospitals fill up, and more, despite relatively mild winter

Occupancy rates in the internal medicine departments at Ashkelon’s Barzilai Medical Center have reached 200 percent.

Crowding in hospitals around the country has intensified, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Occupancy rates in the internal medicine departments at Ashkelon’s Barzilai Medical Center, which treat mostly the elderly and those with chronic diseases, have reached 200 percent – meaning many beds are in the hallways.

The director-general asked that additional patients not be admitted until further notice.

This is happening even though the winter has been quite mild, with little cold and rain and thus lower rates of flu complications.

At Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, the internal medicine units are full and emergency department is operating at 160% occupancy. It asked the ministry for permission to refuse new admissions, but this request was not approved.

Pediatric wards at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon are at 200% capacity, and the pediatric emergency department is also full. The ministry also refused management’s request to turn away new patients.

At Petah Tikva’s Schneider Children’s Medical Center and Haifa’s Carmel Medical Center, all beds are full, and at Emek Medical Center in Afula, the departments are almost all at 200% capacity.

The Health Ministry said it was aware of the rise in hospital occupancies and is working with Magen David Adom to identify hospitals where one could still bring ambulance patients. It has allowed hospitals to increase shifts with additional doctors and nurses.

Over the last half-year it has warned the Treasury about hospital crowding; the Finance Ministry has agreed to an expansion of only 960 beds over the next six years, which the Health Ministry said it hoped would help reduce pressures.


Three people have died from flu , including a boy of 15 who died today Hillel Yaffe Hospital

[dothedd]

04 Jan. 2011 at 09:18 Last news


Millions of children could be left at the mercy of swine flu because pharmacies are refusing to vaccinate under-18s.

With doctors warning that the reopening of schools this week could trigger a ‘children’s epidemic’ of the virus, ­parents have been trying to buy the jab privately for their children.

Since October flu has killed 39, including 11 under-15s.

But while High Street pharmacies will administer the jab to adults – charging between £7.50 and £12 – company policies dictate that they cannot do so to children, even when parents are present.

However, the Department of Health insists there is nothing to stop pharmacies giving the vaccine to children

The development adds to the confusion surrounding the swine flu outbreak, which is predicted to ‘explode’ as at least nine ­million pupils return to their desks after the Christmas holidays.

There is already a shortage of vaccine at some surgeries and changes in vaccination policy mean that many Britons aren’t sure whether they still qualify for protection on the NHS.

For instance, healthy under-fives were able to receive free jabs last winter but are not entitled this year.

As a result, many parents are ­trying to obtain them privately – only to be turned away.

Boots refuses to vaccinate under-16s, while Sainsbury’s and Tesco set the bar even higher, at 18.

Those caught out by the rule include Sue Franklin, 36, a mother of three who tried to buy the vaccine for her eldest children, Olivia, 12, and Amy, 15. Her six-year-old daughter Daisy has asthma and so qualified for a jab on the NHS.

Mrs Franklin, of Malmesbury, in Wiltshire, said: ‘Everywhere I tried they said they would give me a jab, but not the girls.

‘I’m not expecting a jab for free, because they are rightly rationed on the NHS to those who need it most. But why is it that anyone can walk in off the street or in a supermarket and pay a few quid and get a jab, but if they are a child they can’t?’

‘No one could tell me why ­children aren’t allowed. The ­message from the Government is that people should protect themselves, but I’m not allowed to protect my family – it’s a complete mess.

‘All the doctors and the pharmacies I rang said they had had loads of calls like mine. Clearly there’s something wrong somewhere.’

The Department of Health said those paying for a flu jab from a pharmacy were effectively going private, so the Government had no control over the situation.

A spokesman said: ‘There are no restrictions on who pharmacies give vaccinations to in a private capacity. If they decide they don’t want to do it, we cannot force them to do it. The vaccine sold at pharmacies is exactly the same as the one administered by the NHS.

‘It is perfectly safe and given to children under the age of five. There is nothing to stop pharmacies from giving it to healthy children.’

Last night, Boots said: ‘In accordance with our registration with the Care Quality Commission, Boots can only offer patients aged 16 years and above a private flu vaccination.’

As the number of fresh flu cases mounts, there are warnings the NHS is reaching crisis point.

Some 738 Britons are being treated for flu in intensive care and all 21 ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation heart and lung machines used to treat the most seriously ill patients are in use.

Even at the height of the swine flu pandemic in 2009 only 12 of the ECMO machines were ever in use at the same time.

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343895/Chemists-wont-swine-flu-jab-children.html#ixzz1A3LvraC7

[dothedd]

UK Runs Out Of Flu Jabs And Uses Last Year's Swine Flu Ones

07 Jan 2011 - 9:00 PST

United Kingdom authorities have run out of flu vaccines and have resorted to distributing last year's pandemic swine flu ones to GP surgeries. After severe criticism for lack of preparation and response to last month's snowstorms, authorities are having to face yet again questions about their preparedness for the flu season.

There appears to be a problem between the location of flu vaccination stocks and where people who need them live. There is a review underway on purchasing procedures by GP practices. Currently, GPs buy directly from manufacturers. Some say they should be purchased centrally to avoid shortages.

Health authorities are urging all GP practices who have surpluses to pass whatever they can on to those that do not have enough. Manufacturers are being asked to bring extra doses in from continental Europe.

British media are today wondering why these contingencies had not been thoroughly discussed earlier.

So far, 50 people have died from flu since November - 11 over the last week alone, there are 850 flu patients in intensive care. In order to free up beds for flu patients, hundreds of surgical procedures throughout the country have had to be cancelled.

Of the 50 confirmed deaths, 45 had swine flu and five had another strain.

13 people with swine flu have died so far this season in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency has confirmed. Nine of them had underlying health conditions and ranged from 7 to 67 years of age. Northern Ireland has over 200 confirmed cases of swine flu.

People with flu-like symptoms are being urged to stay at home.

A government immunization expert has announced that GP practices can order vaccination supplies over the internet.

Some high-risk patients have had to be turned away from their doctors' offices because they had run out.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA (Health Protection Agency), said:


"Our latest flu report suggests levels of people seeing their doctor for flu-like illness is peaking. We cannot say at present whether this is the peak as the figures are potentially skewed by the holiday period. We will have a better idea of the likely trend in the next couple of weeks.

However flu is still circulating and we would urge those people in an at-risk group to have their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible as this is the best way to protect themselves from flu this winter.

Although there were reports of many people during the pandemic only experiencing mild disease we can't stress enough that flu can be an extremely serious illness for people in 'at risk' groups, including pregnant women, the elderly and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, lung, liver or renal diseases and those who have weakened immune systems.

Most people with flu can 'self care' by taking plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids and taking over the counter pain relievers such as paracetamol. But anyone displaying severe symptoms, particularly those in vulnerable groups should contact their GP or local out-of-hours service for medical advice.

It is important that people do all they can to reduce the spread of the virus and they can do this by maintaining good cough and hand hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning your hands as soon you can. These are all important actions that can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of flu transmission."


The Health Protection Agency announced that according to its latest figures, seasonal flu appears to be starting to peak in England, Wales and Scotland. However, figures may have been impacted by the holiday period, when people go to the doctor less.

In a communiqué, the HPA wrote:

"Influenza A H1N1 (2009) 'swine' flu and Influenza B remain the predominant strains circulating although sporadic cases of H3N2 have also been seen. A small proportion of flu cases are resulting in severe disease, particularly in people under the age of 65."

[dothedd]

UK's surge in flu could stretch across Europe Palm Beach Post, Florida 07:48 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu crisis hits surgeries Sutton Coldfield News, West Midlands 07:34 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

What the papers say: DH releases last year’s swine flu vaccine Chemist + Druggist 07:26 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

33 NI swine flu cases critical UTV 07:25 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine Flu Kills 13 People in NI 4ni.co.uk 07:14 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine Flu Update National Union of Teachers 07:10 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Gps to offer swine flu jabs Hartlepool Mail 07:00 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Sunderland man dies from swine flu at 28 Sunderland Echo 06:59 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu kills 6 in Scotland in a week Glasgow Evening Times 06:59 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Woman, 35, dies of swine flu in Eastbourne The Argus, Sussex 05:43 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu vaccine used to fill gaps in seasonal jab Health Service Journal 05:42 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

33 NI swine flu cases critical - Video UTV 05:04 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Southport Hospital chiefs postpone operations to free up critical care beds for... Southport Visiter 05:03 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Deaths spark new flu jab plea Bury Times 05:00 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu jabs to plug vaccine gaps Nursing in Practice 04:48 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu patients swamp hospital wards Journal Live 04:48 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine Flu Claims Second Victim in Croatia BalkanInsight 04:39 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu - the facts Manchester Evening News 04:32 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu deaths cause surge in demand for vaccine jabs This is Staffordshire 04:14 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu claims another victim as mum, 52, dies Evening Leader 04:10 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Man in his 40s dies from swine flu Portadown Times 04:09 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu vaccine supplies left over from 2010 used due to shortage Daily Mail 03:58 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Two men die from swine flu Belfast News Letter 03:41 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Hospital medical director's alert over swine flu Northampton Evening Telegraph 03:39 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

`Under control' Nuneaton News 03:36 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Hospital battles deadly swine flu Isle of Wight County Press 03:34 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Slingsby introduce precautions to prevent workplace spread of colds and flu MHW Magazine 03:29 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

More swine flu vaccine released as death toll rises to 50 Yorkshire Post 03:19 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

New mum dies in swine flu tragedy Bury Free Press 03:13 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Appeal as swine flu vaccine runs low The Northern Echo 03:02 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

The flu experts who cried wolf National Post 02:31 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Merseyside hospitals cancel operations after swine flu surge Liverpool Daily Post 02:27 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Last year’s flu jabs to bolster English shortages The Press and Journal 02:24 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Flu claims more lives Evening Advertiser, Wiltshire 02:22 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Precautions could help cut workplace virus absences Kidderminster Shuttle 02:21 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Scotland’s swine flu death toll on the rise The Scottish Herald 01:16 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Stowmarket: Tragic tot inspires mum’s swine flu jab plea East Anglian Daily Times, Suffolk 01:03 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/Flu+Pandemics/Swine+Flu?search=&type=&searchheadlines=&Period=5&Page=3

[dothedd]

2 swine flu cases reported, doctors say sporadic Indian Express 17:50 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu vaccine to plug shortages Evening Advertiser, Wiltshire 16:50 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

UK Runs Out Of Flu Jabs And Uses Last Year's Swine... Medical News Today 15:16 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Happy end to family’s swine flu nightmare Eastbourne Herald & Gazette 15:11 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Lithuania reports first swine flu deaths ELTA Lithuanian News Agency 14:43 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Call For Flu Research ITV Local 14:24 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Town hit by four swine flu deaths BBC 14:21 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu sadness ITV Local 14:19 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu deaths ITV Local 14:19 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Govt issues swine flu advice for parents and schools BreakingNews.ie 14:16 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Bereaved family swine flu warning BBC 14:15 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

WHIPPS CROSS: No intensive care beds available Epping Forest Guardian, London 12:52 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu's not to be sneezed at Morning Star 12:35 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Northern Ireland has sufficient stocks of swine flu vaccine Belfast Telegraph 12:14 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

NHS Warrington confirm sufficient swine flu vaccination stocks This is Cheshire 11:57 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Patient death linked to swine flu BBC 11:14 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Health officials warn of swine flu outbreak growing Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 11:03 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

New mothers died of swine flu after 'avoidable' errors London Evening Standard 10:47 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

No shortage of swine flu jabs Bracknell & Ascot Times, Berkshire 10:32 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

13 swine flu deaths in NI since November RTE 10:28 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

U.K. surge in swine flu could spread to Europe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 10:23 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu cases on the increase Leamington Spa Courier 10:11 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

NI reports 13 swine flu deaths The Irish Times 10:07 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

13 swine flu deaths 'not concern' The Argus 09:58 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Nursery closes after child has swine flu Tivyside Advertiser, Wales 09:40 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

U.K.’s swine flu surge could move across Europe: experts Toronto Star 09:33 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Croatia reports second swine flu fatality Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) 09:20 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

13 swine flu related deaths in NI BBC 09:17 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Britain gives last year's vaccines to flu hit people New Kerala 09:14 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Health Protection Agency Releases UK H1N1 Sequences Recombinomics 09:11 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Havering swine flu update: Pregnant woman seriously ill Romford Recorder 09:03 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

13 dead in NI from swine flu - Video UTV 08:55 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Diocese suspends sign of peace BBC 08:42 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

U.K. surge in flu cases could spread, experts warn CTV.ca 08:36 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

$200 million spent on swine flu pandemic ABC Online 08:36 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Warnings Of Swine Flu Outbreak In Europe CBS 10 KZTV, Texas 08:26 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

33 critical with swine flu and where is the Minister McGimpsey? -... Sinn Féin 08:16 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Receptor Binding Domain Changes Drive H1N1 Spread in the UK Recombinomics 08:14 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Nursery closes after swine flu outbreak Tivyside Advertiser, Wales 08:08 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Medics may use old flu jab stocks BBC 08:01 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

UK's Surge In Flu Could Stretch Across Europe foxreno.com, Nevada 07:57 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/Flu+Pandemics/Swine+Flu?search=&type=&searchheadlines=&Period=5&Page=3

[dothedd]

Extremely Obese People More Likely To Die From H1N1 Swine Flu Medical News Today 15:19 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

NIH confirms 59 swine virus positive cases in Pakistan Pakistan Times 14:16 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Swine flu gran recovers ITV Local 12:38 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Swine flu science ITV Local 12:38 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

100,000 vaccines ordered to battle spread of virus The Evening Herald 10:09 Sat, 08 Jan 2011


My skin was crawling...when doctor said 'it's swine flu' i burst into tears The Evening Herald 10:09 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Swine flu victims are fighting for their lives Halesowen News 09:58 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Small progress on Swine flu deaths: Wells Democratic Unionist Party 08:19 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Tributes pour in for flu victim Ade Bellenie ChronicleLive 08:17 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Swine Flu crisis: Wythenshawe hospital on the front line of critical care Manchester Evening News 07:44 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Tributes pour in for flu victim ChronicleLive 07:43 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

UK's surge in flu could stretch across Europe Business Week 07:43 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Swine flu: The facts Hackney Gazette 07:07 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Healey condemns ConDems as swine flu cases surge in Rotherham South Yorkshire Times 06:51 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Shock over 'fit' man's flu death BBC 06:37 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

New mum dies of 'swine flu' at Bradford hospital Bradford Telegraph & Argus 05:48 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Swine flu deaths finally revealed Belfast News Letter 05:24 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Poole hospital faces up to flu crisis Bournemouth Daily Echo 05:06 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Swine flu patients not quarantined Irish Independent 04:49 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Unused flu vaccines to be utilised Leicester Mercury 04:47 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

TV quiz show regular dies from swine flu Sheffield Star 04:43 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

New delivery of swine flu vaccine on Monday Wales Online 04:09 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

FG calls for closed hospital wards to be reopened BreakingNews.ie 03:58 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Widow grieves after swine flu kills husband Journal Live 03:39 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Liverpool swine flu levels remain high Liverpool Daily Post 03:33 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Why young people are dying from swine flu Liverpool Daily Post 03:33 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Authorities should learn it's good to talk Belfast Telegraph 03:14 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

HSE orders 100,000 extra flu vaccines RTE 02:48 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Dad can't get egg-free swine flu vaccine for his son Nottingham Evening Post 02:36 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Egg allergy sufferers left without swine flu vaccine Nottingham Evening Post 02:36 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

GPs to use last year's swine flu jab stocks as supplies dwindle Plymouth Evening Herald 02:32 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Pregnant women in Gloucestershire could be given the swine flu vaccine Gloucester Citizen 02:21 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Tribute as lorry driver with swine flu dies Yorkshire Post 01:15 Sat, 08 Jan 2011

Leftover jabs to be used as swine flu spreading The Irish Independent 23:55 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Pupils warned not to share pens and instruments when schools reopen The Irish Independent 23:55 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu jab to be used Bedford Times & Citizen 21:06 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

'Avoidable' errors contributed to swine flu deaths The Independent 20:57 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu infects 8 The Nation 20:55 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu outbreak claims 13 lives in the North Irish Examiner 20:25 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

13 swine flu deaths in NI since November Irish Sun 20:02 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Govt issues swine flu advice for parents and schools Irish Sun 20:02 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Stopgap flu jabs will take two weeks to work Daily and Sunday Express 19:40 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Swine flu claims 13 lives in North with 33 in intensive care The Irish Times 19:24 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

'Avoidable errors' killed flu women The Independent 19:02 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Harney on holidays as swine flu patients fight for life The Evening Herald 19:01 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Mothers-to-be pay price of GPs' failure to order flu jabs Daily Mail 18:27 Fri, 07 Jan 2011

www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/Flu+Pandemics/Swine+Flu?search=&type=&searchheadlines=&Period=5

[dothedd]

14th swine flu death in NI UTV 18:13 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

HSE admits swine flu not the cause of A&E overcrowding Sunday Tribune 13:17 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Britain faces flu vaccine shortage UPI 09:56 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Fears over mutating swine flu virus that could render vaccine useless Daily Mail 06:05 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Rise in swine flu cases putting strain on GPs Irish Examiner 05:22 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Return of swine flu prompts calls for more vaccinations » The Local 04:55 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Swine flu vaccine stock released BBC News Wales 03:38 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Eight-bed ward for swine flu patients Pakistan Observer 00:45 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

UNO-sponsored passports sought for Kashmiris Pakistan Observer 00:45 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Swine flu cases Pakistan Observer 00:34 Sun, 09 Jan 2011

Study points way to ‘universal’ flu vaccine Gulf Times 17:57 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Lab tests show 6-year-old girl died of swine flu Jerusalem Post 16:31 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Scientists are closing in on a 'universal' flu shot Daily News, New York 16:08 Mon, 10 Jan 201
1
Swine flu survivors built super flu antibodies MSNBC 15:05 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Pregnant women urged to get flu jab - Video UTV 15:03 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

UK H1N1 Death Undercount Raises Pandemic Concerns Recombinomics 12:57 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine Flu Kills Two The Zimbabwean 12:29 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Lansley dodges questions on swine flu risk to pregnant women Total Politics 12:20 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine flu vaccines fill shortage BBC 12:17 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

All in one flu jab hope: Swine flu could hold key to... Daily Mail 11:54 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

H1N1 survivors developed super flu antibodies Canada.com 11:39 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Corrected: Swine flu survivors developed super flu antibodies (Reuters) Xtra 10:56 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Local man dies from Swine Flu Belfast Media 10:53 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Girl dies after catching swine flu TheNews.pl 10:30 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine flu survivors offer clues to new vaccine The Straits Times 10:16 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine flu update: sufferers told to stay at home Romford Recorder 10:03 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Universal flu shot that vaccinates for life a step closer Telegraph.co.uk 10:02 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine flu survivors developed super flu Emirates 24/7 09:56 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

CORRECTED - Swine flu survivors developed super flu antibodies Reuters.co.uk 09:15 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine flu survivors developed super flu antibodies Yahoo! US 09:12 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

'Universal' flu jab closer SBS 09:08 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Liverpool H1N1 Death Cluster Increases to Nine Recombinomics 08:59 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

FLU LATEST: Four deaths, non-urgent ops cancelled Rotherham Advertiser 08:09 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Britain Faces Flu Vaccine Shortage The Post Chronicle 07:43 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Withheld UK H1N1 Death Data Raises Pandemic Concerns Recombinomics 07:11 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

First swine flu death of 2011 reported in Poland Gulf News 06:59 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

EGYPT: Avian flu deadlier than swine flu IRIN 06:29 Mon, 10 Jan 2011
Don’t panic over swine flu Belfast Media 06:26 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Liverpool council manager dies of swine flu WirralNews.co.uk 05:28 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Wirral dad-of-two dies of swine flu WirralNews.co.uk 05:19 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Fresh Tragedy As NI's Swine Flu Level Rises 4ni.co.uk 05:17 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

14th NI death from swine flu - Video UTV 05:04 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Public Health Agency confirms NI swine flu pattern no different to rest of UK HSC Public Health Agency (Press Release) 05:02 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

14th person dies in NI from swine flu UTV 04:40 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine flu storm: Health bosses slammed for trying to keep death toll secret Manchester Evening News 04:20 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Dear Mariella guardian.co.uk 04:19 Mon, 10 Jan 2011


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'Scary' death of swine flu woman, 36 Lytham St Annes Express 14:32 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Mother dies of swine flu ITV Local 13:52 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Girl with swine flu dies in Germany Monsters and Critics 13:27 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Supplies of swine flu vaccine increased UTV 13:18 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Joined up approach to Swine Flu called for Democratic Unionist Party 11:53 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Scientists close in on universal flu vaccine Stuff.co.nz 11:02 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Avian flu deadlier than swine flu in Egypt Middle East Online 09:50 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

733 new swine flu cases leave 20 dead Daily News Egypt 09:48 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Swine flu victim makes jab plea BBC 09:19 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Restrictions at Mid-Western Regional Hospital due to swine flu Evening Echo 09:06 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

H1N1 Flu Survivors Developed Super Flu Antibodies Fox Business 08:11 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Swine flu 'offers clues to universal flu vaccine' - 11 Jan 11

NetDoctor.co.uk 08:05 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Levels of swine flu in Warrington third highest in north west This is Cheshire 07:57 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Confirmed case of swine flu in Leitrim Leitrim Observer, Ireland 07:00 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Urgent question on swine flu The United Kingdom Parliament 06:26 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Flu: One Dead And Three In Intensive Care Stratford Herald, Warwickshire 06:08 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Mum (36) dies from swine flu Pendle Today 05:01 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

End of School Holidays signals rise in Swine Flu cases Paisely Daily Express 04:54 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Five on swine flu critical list Lancashire Evening Post 04:47 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Poland: the return of Swine Flu? The Sofia Echo 04:44 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

'Fit and healthy' former bouncer, 44, dies of swine flu Sheffield Star 04:39 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Swine flu kills East Lancs mum Lancashire Evening Telegraph 04:15 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Doctors suspect 6-year-old died of swine flu Jerusalem Post 04:12 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Burnley mum-of-three dies from swine flu The Citizen 04:04 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Call for clarity on swine flu death figures Belfast News Letter 03:36 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Albania Health Authorities Warn of Swine Flu Outbreak BalkanInsight 03:18 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Liverpool Royal Hospital chief says ‘we are coping with swine flu’ Liverpool Daily Post 02:28 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Swine Flu survivors developed antibodies that point to universal flu vaccine: study National Post 01:57 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Vaccine clue in swine flu survivors Arab Times 01:13 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Swine flu H1N1 survivors developed super flu antibodies Barcelonareporter.com 00:17 Tue, 11 Jan 2011

Swine flu victim Maisie Price's family tell their heartbreaking story Daily Mail 20:31 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Swine flu vaccines all expired New Zealand Herald 20:00 Mon, 10 Jan 2011

www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/Flu+Pandemics/Swine+Flu?JavaScript=1&searchheadlines=&search=&Period=2&Page=1

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Give flu jabs to children, beg parents Metro.co.uk 18:03 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

'All children should be vaccinated' - mother of 3-year-old swine flu victim 24dash.com 17:46 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Three-year-old's death sparks parents' swine flu campaign Channel 4 17:19 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Jordan reports 9th swine flu fatality Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) 16:59 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Dozen swine flu deaths recorded in Germany since October - Summary Irish Sun 16:45 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Dozen swine flu deaths recorded in Germany since October (Roundup) Monsters and Critics 15:18 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Loan Watch: Dunleavy leaving on loan and The Hoff attracts swine flu Paddytheflea's Blog 14:06 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine Flu Death Plea ITV Local 14:00 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Vaccinate all children, demands mother of girl killed by swine flu guardian.co.uk 13:51 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Scarborough woman dies from Swine Flu Scarborough Evening News 13:12 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Eastbourne baby beats swine flu The Argus, Sussex 12:58 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Vaccinate all children against swine flu, say parents who lost girl Telegraph.co.uk 12:55 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine Flu Has Peaked YLE News 12:27 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Mum's Vaccine Call After Girl's Swine Flu Death Sky News 12:19 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu outbreak kills two Eastbourne Herald & Gazette 12:09 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Flu update: universal vaccine 'some way off' Chemist + Druggist 12:04 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Flu symptoms hit highest level since Swine Flu pandemic Wales Online 11:59 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Doctor whose three-year-old daughter died of swine flu calls for all children... Telegraph.co.uk 11:46 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Man dies of swine flu in Croatia despite vaccine MSNBC 11:06 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Over 60 swine flu cases in Jersey BBC 11:03 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Parents want swine flu vaccine for all children Lytham St Annes Express 10:58 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

UK: Kurdish doctor releases picture of his daughter, 3, just hours before... Kurd Net 10:56 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Girl aged three dies of swine flu BBC 10:39 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Flu outbreak cranks up pressure on hospital Uxbridge Gazette 09:27 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu: Doctor's daughter, 3, dies now he wants ALL children to... Daily Mail 09:02 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Woman's vaccination call after husband dies of swine flu Wilmslow Express 08:38 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

H1N1 swine flu found in UK poultry Farmers Guardian 07:57 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Parents of tragic Birmingham girl call for swine flu vaccinations for children Birmingham Post 07:17 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Operations axed as swine flu death toll rises Macclesfield Express 07:12 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Comment: Curse of the worried well Manufacturing Chemist 07:09 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu claims another NE victim The Northern Echo 07:07 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Man dies of swine flu in Germany Monsters and Critics 06:59 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu: The last picture of our darling daughter just hours before... Daily Mail 06:57 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

NI: Seasonal Flu Vaccine Supply Update eGov Monitor 06:25 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

100 operations a week cancelled on Teesside Evening Gazette 06:20 Wed, 12 Jan 2011


Swine flu could lead to "Holy Grail" jab Management in Practice 05:42 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Let parents vaccinate their children: Desperate plea of nurse whose 3-year-old daughter was killed by... Manchester Evening News 05:31 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Let parents vaccinate their children: Desperate plea of nurse whose three-year-old girl was killed by... Stockport Express 05:29 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Birmingham parent's desperate vaccination plea after tot dies of swine flu Birmingham Mail 05:26 Wed, 12 Jan 2011
Schoolgirl, four, gets swine flu Your Leek Paper 05:05 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Aldeburgh: Mum of swine flu baby tells of anger over 13-hour wait for appointment Suffolk Evening Star 04:58 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Vaccinate your children: Desperate plea to parents from mum of 3-year-old girl killed by swine... Manchester Evening News 04:32 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu mum gave birth to Jacob as she fought for life Derby Telegraph 04:21 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu vaccine here Wales Online 04:19 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Immune response to swine flu 'extraordinary' Antrim Times 04:18 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Family’s torment at hospital ‘mix up’ over swine f Lancashire Evening Post 04:16 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Figures show the perils of underestimating swine flu Worcester News 04:07 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

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[dothedd]

NEW in the last 5 minutes

More than 100 people dead from swine flu across country The Northern Echo 10:02

Swine Flu Sweeps Through Cologne football365.co.za 10:01


In the last 10 minutes

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In the last 2 hours

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Three more NI swine flu deaths The Irish Times 08:25


In the last 4 hours

Ulster swine flu death toll climbs to 17 Belfast Telegraph 08:02

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Swine flu virus claims two lives BBC 06:44

17 die from Swine Flu in NI - Video UTV 06:33

Public Health Agency confirms Northern Ireland swine flu pattern no different to rest of UK HSC Public Health Agency (Press Release) 06:19


In the last 6 hours

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Health chiefs warn flu vaccine stocks in Gravesham are running low Gravesend Reporter 04:37


In the last 8 hours

Latest Swine Flu figures to be published UTV 03:49

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Swine flu confirmed Worksop Guardian 03:18

McGimpsey took right action over swine flu Belfast Telegraph 03:13

Swine flu victim's mother urges vaccination review Wigan Today 02:30

Over 80 confirmed cases as some ops cancelled This is Hull and East Riding 02:13


Today

PHA media briefing on swine flu BBC 01:42

Crowded A&E 'will increase flu deaths' The Irish Independent 23:55 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu: Doctor's daughter Lana Ameen, 3, too young for jab dies Daily Mail 20:10 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Doctor releases daughter’s image in swine flu warning Irish Examiner 20:06 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu found in UK poultry for first time Daily Post 19:28 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Swine flu may have contributed to death of four-year-old boy The Irish Times 19:20 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Mother pleads that all children 'at risk' be given swine flu jab The Scotsman 19:00 Wed, 12 Jan 2011


Yesterday

Give flu jabs to children, beg parents Metro.co.uk 18:03 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

'All children should be vaccinated' - mother of 3-year-old swine flu victim 24dash.com 17:46 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Three-year-old's death sparks parents' swine flu campaign Channel 4 17:19 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Jordan reports 9th swine flu fatality Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) 16:59 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Dozen swine flu deaths recorded in Germany since October - Summary Irish Sun 16:45 Wed, 12 Jan 2011

Dozen swine flu deaths recorded in Germany since October (Roundup)

[dothedd]

Seasonal flu deaths more than double in Britain

LONDON | Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:16am EST

LONDON (Reuters) - The number of deaths in a seasonal flu epidemic that has swept Britain since October more than doubled to 112 on Thursday, up from 50 a week earlier, figures from the Health Protection Agency showed.

Of the 112 confirmed deaths, 95 had the H1N1 flu strain that spread around the world as a pandemic in 2009 and 2010, officials said.

The majority of those who died were under 65 years old and nine cases were in children under 14. Since October, there have been six deaths in children under five.

The agency said most of the additional 62 deaths documented since last week did not actually occur in the past week, but in December. They were only confirmed in the past week because of a backlog over the seasonal holiday period.

"Flu is still circulating in the community and the message remains that those people in an at-risk group should have their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible as this is the best way to protect themselves from flu this winter," said John Watson, head of the agency's respiratory diseases department.

The surge in flu cases has led to local shortages of seasonal vaccines, but Britain's Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies last week advised doctors to use pandemic vaccines left over from last season if stocks of this year's vaccines run out.

Flu vaccines are made by several drugmakers, including Britain's GlaxoSmithKline, France's Sanofi-Aventis and the Swiss firm Novartis, all of which also made H1N1 shots last season to deal with the pandemic.

The 2009/10 pandemic proved less severe than feared and substantial stockpiles of pandemic vaccine went unused.

The agency said in a statement that the death figures so far represent "only a proportion of those who may have died from flu or complications from flu" in the current season.

British authorities do not usually give regular updates of deaths from seasonal flu but are doing so this year because the pandemic H1N1 strain was expected to be dominant.

Estimates for flu related deaths each winter are typically between 0 and 5,000, the agency said, but those deaths are predominantly in people over 65 years of age, rather than the mainly younger people being killed by this year's seasonal flu.

"It is important that people do all they can to reduce the spread of the virus," Watson said. He advised "covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning your hands as soon you can."

[dothedd]

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Scientists Close In on Universal Flu Vaccine Voice of America 10:47
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If you're in the frame for the vaccine, get it. If you... This is Hull and East Riding 06:07
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Today
Norris Green mother-of-two Linda Dagnall becomes 12th person on Merseyside to die... Liverpool Daily Post 05:09
Doctor ‘failed three times to spot baby’s swine flu’ Metro.co.uk 04:58
Number of Swine Flu Deaths Rise in Region BalkanInsight 04:56
Flu jab plea to Bradford mothers-to-be Bradford Telegraph & Argus 04:44
Swine flu forced doctors to deliver my boy early, says Leicestershire mum Leicester Mercury 04:41

Family’s agony at dad’s suspected swine flu death The Bolton News 04:39
Press Briefing on Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) on Thursday, 13th January, 2011 Department of Health and Children (Press Release) 04:30
Press Briefing on Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) on Thursday, 6th January, 2011 Department of Health and Children (Press Release) 04:30
School pupil, 4, is latest victim of swine flu in acounty This is Staffordshire 04:20
Vulnerable urged to have free flu vaccine Eastbourne Herald & Gazette 03:56

PHA finally comes clean on swine flu - Wells Belfast News Letter 03:40
Wrexham swine flu victims funeral to take place Daily Post 03:34
Father of three-year-old girl dead from swine flu blames Government, doctors and... Telegraph.co.uk 02:54
Swine flu spread sparks concerns Irish Independent 02:38
It's not too late for those at risk to get a jab,... This is Hull and East Riding 02:12

Swine flu advice for Liverpool parents after 11th victim in region named Liverpool Daily Post 02:12
16 Scots killed by swine flu in just one week The Scottish Herald 01:52
Swine flu recurs Al-Ahram Weekly 01:33
Grieving family believe swine flu killed Mikey (4) The Irish Independent 00:06
Swine flu revives memories of 1918 pandemic New Zealand Herald 00:05

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