
Science Resources RSS Feeds
|
 |
 |
 |
Why predicting the next influenza pandemic is difficult and how scientists can best prepare
May 09, 2007
WHAT: In planning for a future influenza pandemic, most experts agree that two things are known for certain—there will be another pandemic someday, and nobody can predict when. In a commentary in the May 9, 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, scientists at the National Institutes of Health discuss why predicting the next pandemic is so difficult and outline steps that can be taken to better understand the behavior of the virus. Drawing upon the lessons of past pandemics, the authors analyze the significance of the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1, which has spread among bird populations and infected hundreds of humans in the last decade. In preparing for the next influenza pandemic, however, the authors argue that researchers and public health officials should not focus solely on H5N1 strains, because the next pandemic might be caused by a different influenza virus. Instead, research efforts should go beyond H5N1 and focus broadly on influenza viruses. This entails improving our knowledge of the basic biological and ecological means by which influenza A viruses infect birds; enhancing surveillance of infected animals and the circulation of influenza virus globally; understanding how the virus evolves and jumps from birds and other animals to humans; finding new approaches to vaccine design and vaccination; and developing new antivirals and diagnostics. Such broad activities can also help combat seasonal influenza, which is a major public health concern in the United States, accounting for an estimated 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations each year.
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
|
 |
Related Influenza Pandemic Current Events and Influenza Pandemic News Articles Influenza Pandemic Current Events and Influenza Pandemic News RSS When should flu trigger a school shutdown? As flu season approaches, parents around the country are starting to face school closures. But how bad should an influenza outbreak be for a school to shut down?
Fighting flu: Stricter hand hygiene in schools only a short-term measure Increased hand hygiene in primary schools is only a short-term measure in preventing infections such as H1N1 from spreading.
H1N1 simulation modeling shows rapid vaccine rollout effective in reducing infection rates Early action, especially rapid rollout of vaccines, is extremely effective in reducing the attack rate of the H1N1 influenza virus, according to a simulation model of a pandemic outbreak reported in a new study in CMAJ.
H1N1 critical illness can occur rapidly; predominantly affects young patients Critical illness among Canadian patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) occurred rapidly after hospital admission, often in young adults, and was associated with severely low levels of oxygen in the blood, multi-system organ failure, a need for prolonged mechanical ventilation, and frequent use of rescue therapies.
Aspirin Misuse May Have Made 1918 Flu Pandemic Worse The devastation of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic is well known, but a new article suggests a surprising factor in the high death toll: the misuse of aspirin.
Surgical masks vs. N95 respirators for preventing influenza among health-care workers Surgical masks appear to be no worse than, and nearly as effective as N95 respirators in preventing influenza in health care workers.
Medical ethics experts identify, address key issues in H1N1 pandemic The anticipated onset of a second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of thorny medical ethics issues best considered well in advance, according to the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, which today released nine papers for public discussion.
Pregnant women need flu shots Pregnant women should be sure to get all their flu shots as soon as the vaccines become available this year to protect them against both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 (swine) flu, according to eight leading national maternal and infant health organizations.
Texas A&M researcher shows possible link between 1918 El Niño and flu pandemic Research conducted at Texas A&M University casts doubts on the notion that El Niño has been getting stronger because of global warming and raises interesting questions about the relationship between El Niño and a severe flu pandemic 91 years ago.
'Dung of the devil' plant roots point to new swine flu drugs Scientists in China have discovered that roots of a plant used a century ago during the great Spanish influenza pandemic contains substances with powerful effects in laboratory experiments in killing the H1N1 swine flu virus that now threatens the world. More Influenza Pandemic Current Events and Influenza Pandemic News Articles
|
 |

|
The Great Influenza: The story of the deadliest pandemic in history
by John M. Barry (Author)
At the height of WWI, history’s most lethal influenza virus erupted in an army camp in Kansas, moved east with American troops, then exploded, killing as many as 100 million people worldwide. It killed more people in twenty-four months than AIDS killed in twenty-four years, more in a year than the Black Death killed in a century. But this was not the Middle Ages, and 1918 marked the first collision of science and epidemic disease. Magisterial in its breadth of perspective and depth of research and now revised to reflect the growing danger of the avian flu, The Great Influenza is ultimately a tale of triumph amid tragedy, which provides us with a precise and sobering model as we confront the epidemics looming on our own horizon. John M. Barry has written a new ...
|

|
Pandemic Influenza, Swine Flu, Avian Flu Kit / Protective Apparel Emergency Disaster and First Aid Protection, Survival Transit Set with 1 Ex. Lg. Full Length Protective Coverall, 1 Face Mask with Eye Shield, 1 Pair of Lg. Gloves, 1 Pair of Lg. Shoe Covers - Safety Toggs / Frogg Toggs Brand - Polyspun Breathable Synthetic Fabric Disposable Set
by Safety Toggs / Frogg Toggs Brand Product
A Factory Sealed Brand New Safety Toggs / Frogg Toggs Brand Portable Home, Travel and Glovebox First Aid and Emergency Survival and Emergency Preparedness Disaster Accessory. This is a Basic Emergency Flu, Germ - Disease Emergency Disposable Apparel Kit. All Components are Extra Large, the Full Length Coverall Features a Polyspun Fabric Covered Neck to Crotch Zipper. These Components Are NOT WATERPROOF.. The Largest Test Subject we could find was 5" 11" tall, 44/46" waisted, and a shy bit under 300 lbs, they fit snugly but closed just fine, The Coverall's feature the Safety Toggs / Frogg Toggs Brand Name Logo. The Gloves fit most Lg./Ex. Large Hands, The Mask Fits Most Adults, and the Shoe Covers fit Men's Size 10 to 12. Great for Fast Evacuation and Transit, Self Rescue, and...
|

|
3M 8670F FDA Cleared N95 Respirators - (2 Masks) NIOSH N95 Approved - Pandemic Influenza Flu Protection*
by 3M
This is a pack of 2 individually sealed 3M 8670F respirators - NIOSH N95 certified for filtration efficiency.
This 8670F respirator is designed for adult faces. The U.S. FDA has cleared this respirator (8670F) for use by the general public in public health medical emergencies, such as an influenza pandemic (ie. Swine Flu, Bird Flu, Avian Flu, Influenza A, H1N1, etc), to help reduce wearer exposures to airborne germs. This is a disposable, single use respirator.
Perfect mask to prevent the spread and infection of infectious diseases like the H1N1 Swine Flu and other harmful influenza viruses. Stay prepared at all times with these easy to store and transport masks. Keep some at home, at work, at school or in the car for when the need arises.
|

|
60 Minutes - H1N1 (November 1, 2009)
Airdate 11/01/09 Where is the vaccine that was supposed to save the nation from the H1N1 virus? Almost 100 people have died from the virus, hospitalizations are on the rise, but the vaccine is still in short supply. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius tells Scott Pelley that it won't be long before everyone who wants the vaccine will get the vaccine, and she says it is safe and effective.
This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.
|

|
NIOSH N95 Approved Respirator with Vent (Easier Breathing, Same Protection) - CDC Recommended against Flu Face Mask with Vent - Pack of 10
by - Respirator -
NIOSH N95 Approved Respirator with Vent (Easier Breathing, Same Protection) - CDC Recommended against Flu Face Mask with Vent - Pack of 10N95 Particulate Respirator Mask is NIOSH approved as a Type N95 respirator to meet OSHA requirements and CDC guidelines / CDC recommendation to protect against Avian Bird Flu & SARS / Approved and meets NIOSH and CDC guidelines / Reduces risk of fluid strike-through and protects against micron-size particles; Double bands secure / Features a large Breathing Chamber with Advanced Filtration / Size: Regular - One Size Fits All / Pack of 10
|

|
American Fever: A Tale of Romance & Pestilence
by Peter Christian Hall
An independent blog novel about a flu pandemic that strikes New York, igniting passion and disorder. This live, linked, frequently illustrated serial book will post daily into December 2009 Once fully posted, it will be available for purchase.Kindle blogs are fully downloaded onto your Kindle so you can read them even when you're not wirelessly connected. And unlike RSS readers which often only provide headlines, blogs on Kindle give you full text content and images, and are updated wirelessly throughout the day.
|

|
America's Forgotten Pandemic: The Influenza of 1918
by Alfred W. Crosby (Author)
Between August 1918 and March 1919 the Spanish influenza spread worldwide, claiming over 25 million lives, more people than those perished in the fighting of the First World War. It proved fatal to at least a half-million Americans. Yet, the Spanish flu pandemic is largely forgotten today. In this vivid narrative, Alfred W. Crosby recounts the course of the pandemic during the panic-stricken months of 1918 and 1919, measures its impact on American society, and probes the curious loss of national memory of this cataclysmic event. In a new edition, with a new preface discussing the recent outbreaks of diseases, including the Asian flu and the SARS epidemic, America's Forgotten Pandemic remains both prescient and relevant. Alfred W. Crosby is a Professor Emeritus in American Studies,...
|

|
Warning Swine Flu Test Subject Keep Back Sign Logo Men's Tee Short Sleeve Size XL White
by 99 Volts
|

|
Flu : The Story Of The Great Influenza Pandemic
by Gina Kolata (Author)
A scientific history of the Great Flu Epidemic of 1918, which killed at least 40 million people. The author details the science and latest understanding of flu, examines the chances of a great epidemic recurring and explores what can be done to prevent it.
|

|
Safe2breathe Pandemic Protection Mask Pack of 3
by MCR
How Safe2Breathe is superior to N95!
Effectively destroys viruses and bacterias!
Antimicrobial Properties
Independent laboratory test results confirm that the antimicrobial properties of the Pandemic Mask are significantly effective against Influenza, Tuberculosis, MRSA, bird flu and others. The mask goes beyond filtration by neutralizing and destroying these microbes making them harmless to the environment and breaking the transmission cycle.
How Does It Work?
7-Layer Construction Protects Bi-Directionally
The Pandemic Mask offers bi-directional protection with 7-layer construction (versus the 3-layer industry standard) that disables viruses at the cellular level, repels airborne moisture and filters fine particles, blood, bacteria and viruses.
How Long Do Antimicrobial Properties...
|
|