Articles tagged with Pandemic Influenza
Researchers are studying two enzymes to combat the flu virus, which causes 36,000 US deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations annually. The goal is to identify targets for drug therapies that can block the spread of the influenza virus.
Researchers have confirmed a rare incidence of individuals becoming infected with both seasonal and pandemic strains of the flu at the same time. Experts say this highlights the ongoing risk of distinct flu viruses combining in human hosts, particularly in Southeast Asia where avian influenza and pandemic H1N1 are prevalent.
A meta-analysis found that licensed influenza vaccines in the USA have critical gaps in evidence for effectiveness, especially in high-risk individuals and those over 65. The study suggests a need for more highly effective and cross-protective vaccines to combat seasonal influenza and potential pandemics.
A new model for emergency preparedness staffing plans has been developed by UofL associate professor Ruth Carrico, PhD, utilizing nursing, pharmacy and public health students. The plan aims to increase the reliability of volunteers in participating in training exercises and real-time events during emergencies.
Estimating the severity of a flu epidemic can be done in real-time using serological data coupled with clinical surveillance data. This approach provides valuable insights for pandemic preparedness and response, making it useful not only for influenza pandemics but also for other emerging infectious diseases.
A DNA vaccine regimen primed with H5N1 influenza followed by a booster dose of traditional influenza vaccine showed improved immune response and protected levels of antibodies, targeting the virus's stem region. This strategy could help prepare for future pandemics by reducing traditional vaccine manufacturing capacity.
Researchers discovered proteins and genetic material from the 1918 influenza virus in specimens from 37 soldiers, including four who died between May and August 1918. The findings suggest that the virus did not undergo a dramatic change during the pandemic, contributing to unusually high mortality.
A study published in mBio reveals that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu virus causes more extensive damage to lung tissues than seasonal flu, making it more susceptible to bacterial infections like pneumonia. This damage compromises the protective epithelial cells, allowing bacteria to thrive and increase mortality.
Researchers mapped the global spread of drug-resistant influenza, revealing that genetic mutations and human migration through air travel can lead to rapid transmission. The study suggests that a combination of factors, including overuse of antiviral drugs and human movement, contribute to the emergence of resistant strains.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of a complex between an influenza B virus protein and its human protein target, resulting in suppression of the cell's natural defenses. This discovery could lead to the development of antiviral drugs against influenza B virus.
A new study found children's hospitals are underequipped to handle a surge of patients in the event of a pandemic. The study urges health care institutions and government agencies to review emergency preparedness plans as flu season approaches.
Researchers found a seasonal pattern of narcolepsy onset in China, most frequent in April, with a significant spike following the H1N1 pandemic. The study suggests that flu vaccination was unlikely to cause the increase and points towards an autoimmune disease trigger.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a unique computational method to analyze the H1N1 virus, identifying key mutation strategies that led to the 2009 pandemic. This method reveals crucial differences between the pandemic strain and common seasonal H1N1 strains, shedding light on potential vaccine development.
The INFORMS journal has announced a special issue on using logistics and analytics to improve responses to disasters and health crises. The studies featured include pre-positioning of emergency items, optimizing schedules for maritime humanitian cooperative engagements.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that combining two flu strains, H1N1 and H9N2, can create a new, potentially deadly virus. The study suggests that this 'viral sexual reproduction' process could lead to the emergence of a new influenza pandemic.
Researchers at Scripps Research and Crucell have discovered an antibody that can neutralize a range of human-affecting flu viruses in lab-dish tests and in mice, including H3 and H7 subtypes. The new antibody has the potential to protect people against most influenza viruses, and could lead to a universal flu vaccine.
A community cohort study in Hong Kong found more children than adults were infected with H1N1, but children were less likely to progress to severe disease. Serology studies like this one can help estimate rates of severe disease per infection for revised pandemic preparedness plans.
Researchers evaluated Public Health Grid technology during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic to enhance epidemiologists' and disease-control agencies' abilities. The grid approach allowed for quick data acquisition, secure modeling of disease spread, and effective intervention deployment.
Researchers used computational techniques to analyze 5,000 strains of influenza A viruses and identified six strains with particularly close genetic relationships to the H1N1 pandemic virus. These 'bottleneck' viruses were found to be the culprits behind the emergence of the pandemic strain.
The article highlights the factors influencing vaccine production, access, and uptake, including technologies used to manufacture vaccines, national regulations, and cold chain requirements. The authors emphasize the need for improved surge capacity within the vaccine industry to meet global demand during pandemics.
A new universal influenza vaccine candidate, VAX102, has safely produced an immune response in humans and could eliminate the need for annual flu vaccine updates. The vaccine targets a protein called M2e, found on the surface of the influenza A virus, which remains relatively unchanged over time.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that closing schools and implementing social distancing measures significantly reduced H1N1 flu transmission rates in Mexico by 29-37%. The study analyzed data from the Mexican Institute for Social Security and showed a decline in hospitalization rates from 70% to 10% during this period.
Researchers studied pandemic influenza H1N1 morbidity and mortality in 32 Mexican states, finding age distribution and risk of severe disease varied by age group. The study supports the effectiveness of early mitigation efforts like mandatory school closures.
A Mexican flu pandemic study found that school closures and other social distancing measures were associated with a significant reduction in influenza transmission rates, with up to 37% fewer cases reported. The study highlights the importance of these interventions in mitigating future pandemics.
A study published in PLoS ONE found a significant inverse association between public spending on health and pandemic influenza mortality. The greater the state financial generosity to the health sector, the lower the mortality rate. Increased public expenditures on health led to a 2.8% reduction in mortality rates.
A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found significant differences in mortality rates between urban and isolated rural communities during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Mortality rates were much higher in isolated communities, with up to 90-100% of adults over 30 years dying from the virus.
A new study analyzed mutations of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus in Japan, identifying unique triple combination of bird, swine, and human flu viruses. The research revealed rapid mutation of virus strains with an extremely high evolutionary rate, paving the way for the development of new diagnostic kits.
Researchers found that pulmonary administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) significantly reduces flu symptoms and prevents death in mice infected with lethal doses of influenza virus. The study suggests a novel method to confer marked resistance to influenza by enhancing innate immune mechanisms.
Researchers at MIT have identified a single mutation in the H1N1 genetic makeup that would allow it to be much more easily transmitted between people. The finding should give the World Health Organization something to watch out for, as new strains of the virus may emerge with greater ability to infect humans.
A study finds that widespread discharge of inefficiently treated wastewater into rivers could occur if existing plans for antiviral and antibiotic use are implemented during a pandemic. This could lead to water quality deterioration at drinking water abstraction points, potentially causing eutrophication and environmental toxicity.
A stockpiled vaccine against the 2004 bird flu strain can be combined with a current vaccine to protect against a potential pandemic, researchers say. Giving the old vaccine first primes the body for a second dose of the new vaccine, boosting the immune response.
Researchers from Imperial College London found that children are about three times more likely to transmit flu to those of the same gender. The study also showed that sitting next to an infected person does not significantly increase a child's risk of catching flu. This comprehensive analysis will help make more accurate models for pre...
A new study in BioEssays reveals that the H1N1 pandemic challenged the conventional ideal of antigenic shift, where a virus emerges from an existing subtype. The research suggests that pandemics can result from a shift within lineages of existing subtypes, not just the introduction of a new strain.
A European study funded by the ECDC and coordinated by EpiConcept found that one dose of the pandemic flu vaccine provided good protection against H1N1 influenza, particularly in people under 65 and those without chronic conditions. The authors suggest that future studies should focus on the new trivalent vaccine for the 2010-11 season.
Research analyzing California hospital data found extreme obesity significantly increased risk of death from 2009 H1N1. Half of hospitalized patients over 20 were obese, with nearly three-fold increased odds of death compared to non-obese counterparts.
A head-to-head trial found that the adjuvanted split-virus vaccine achieved a more rapid and stronger immune response than the whole-virus vaccine. In young adults, a single dose of the adjuvanted vaccine induced early seroprotection within one week, suggesting potential for reduced dosing frequency.
Researchers found that a massive, uncontrolled activation of the complement system led to severe lung damage and death in young adults. The study's findings suggest that this over-reaction is responsible for making healthy young and middle-aged adults seriously ill during pandemic flu, explaining why they are disproportionately affected.
The article discusses ongoing research to improve influenza vaccines, including the development of novel production technologies and approaches such as recombinant virus proteins and universal flu vaccines. These efforts aim to provide better protection against multiple strains of influenza and novel flu viruses in the future.
The 1510 influenza pandemic originated in Asia and spread quickly to Africa and Europe via trade routes. New scientific and public health advances have improved our ability to plan and prepare for seasonal and pandemic influenza.
The study found that while the second wave was substantially larger, with 4.8 times more hospital admissions and 53% of deaths, fewer patients had severe outcomes due to public health interventions. The percentage of severe outcomes decreased in the second wave compared to the first.
A study found that states with higher past seasonal influenza vaccination coverage or use of other preventive health services showed higher H1N1 vaccine rates. States with lower adult vaccination coverage had longer disease circulation periods, suggesting households may not need vaccinations if someone already has the flu.
A randomized trial found that oseltamivir monotherapy was both virologically and clinically more effective than the combination of tamiflu and relenza. The study also showed that zanamivir monotherapy had similar effects to the combination
A new analysis of old data suggests that bacterial infections associated with the 1918 influenza pandemic may be important in modern pandemics. The study confirms the importance of Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines in preventing pneumonia and death, which could lead to reduced mortality rates in future outbreaks
A study found 70 pediatric deaths related to pandemic influenza A H1N1 in England over a 9-month period. Children from Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities had significantly higher mortality rates compared to white British children.
A variant of last year's pandemic influenza linked to fatal cases carried a mutation that enabled it to infect a different subset of cells lining the airway, impairing the lungs' clearing mechanism. The study suggests that this mutant virus could have made the illness more severe and fatal.
A study analyzing H1N1 antibody levels suggests a third wave is unlikely in 2010. Adults aged 50-79 years are at a higher risk of severe outcomes if infected.
The H1N1 pandemic showed the need for faster vaccine production and clear communication to address risks to vulnerable populations. The delay in vaccine manufacturing and unclear messages hindered efforts, resulting in significant years of life lost among younger age groups.
Researchers have created a novel anaerobic digestion reactor that can generate electricity comparable to 25 wind turbines. Additionally, scientists have isolated a bacterium capable of decontaminating groundwater contaminated with chlorinated alkanes.
The 2009 H1N1 pandemic response was a mixed bag, with some key successes like swift international coordination and robust public health measures. However, there were also areas for improvement, such as limited preparedness at national levels and slower vaccine development.
A new computer model predicts that vaccination can mitigate subsequent-wave mechanisms and reduce infection rates even when an epidemic appears to be waning. The model identified four potential mechanisms for a 'third wave' and showed that initiating vaccination earlier, increasing speed, and prioritizing subgroups can significantly re...
A recent study found that less than half of essential workers are willing and able to report to work during a serious pandemic. Motivation to work is tied to workplace safety measures, trust in employers, and past experience. Employers can increase worker willingness by providing resources and support for personal obligations.
Scientists estimate that at least 183 million Americans have immunity to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus due to exposure or vaccination. They predict the virus will persist in a form causing relatively few deaths, but caution against complacency and urge influenza vaccination for all ages.
Experts speculate on future of H1N1 pandemic virus, predicting low mortality rates due to existing immunity in the population. The degree of immunity and potential changes to the virus will impact the upcoming influenza season.
A recent study found that the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) caused a higher rate of neurological complications in children than the seasonal flu. The most common complications observed were seizures and encephalopathy.
A study analyzed data from influenza cases in Wisconsin and found that children with 2009 H1N1 infections were not at higher risk for hospital admission or pneumonia compared to seasonal H1N1 or H3N2 infections. Adults also showed similar risks of serious outcomes, indicating lower severity of symptoms.
A study published in Eurosurveillance found that nearly 60% of Norway's population had measurable immunity to the pandemic H1N1 virus by January 2010. Vaccination and infection contributed to this increased immunity, with herd immunity also playing a role.
Researchers discovered that the H1N1 flu virus used a novel amino acid location to adapt to human cells, allowing it to spread efficiently. This finding provides new insight into the biology of flu viruses and reveals a genetic marker for predicting future pandemics.
Healthcare worker seasonal influenza vaccination rates remain low, with a study suggesting combined education and improved vaccine access boost coverage. Long-term care home workers showed significant increases in immunization rates following targeted campaigns.
A large multicentre study found that early antiviral treatment reduced hospitalization and intensive care admissions among transplant recipients with H1N1. Vaccination and preventive measures may also provide protection for this high-risk population.
Researchers have discovered a monoclonal antibody that is effective against multiple strains of influenza, including Avian H5N1, seasonal H1N1, and the 2009 Swine H1N1 influenza. The antibody targets a conserved region of the viral coat protein, providing broad-spectrum protection against various flu strains.