Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:20:00 EST Welcome to the PandemicFlu.gov RSS news feed provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.flu.gov News en-us As of 31 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 15174 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_02_5/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_02_5/en/index.html Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:20:00 EST During week 4 (January 24-30, 2010), influenza activity remained at approximately the same levels as last week in the U.S. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST Why are some of the doses of H1N1 vaccine manufactured in pre-filled syringes being recalled from the market? http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/qa_recall.htm http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/qa_recall.htm Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST Shortened Expiration Period For Sanofi Pasteur 2009 H1N1 Vaccine In Pre-filled Syringes Questions & Answers http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/expiration_qa.html http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/expiration_qa.html Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:30:00 EST 29 January 2010 -- As of 24 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14711 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_29/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_29/en/index.html Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST Effective communication is a key component of emergency response planning. It can help direct the medical community and the general public to take appropriate action to contain a disease outbreak, limit exposure, and reduce morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, ineffective communication can lead to confusion in both the general public and the emergency response community. It can interfere with the response to an incident. It can lead to public distrust and skepticism, and, once that has happened, it is difficult to regain that trust. http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/pediatrics_info.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/pediatrics_info.html Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST CDC MMWR Update: Outbreaks of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among Long-Term-Care Facility Residents - Three States, 2009 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5903a3.htm?s_cid=mm5903a3_e%0d%0a http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5903a3.htm?s_cid=mm5903a3_e%0d%0a Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways, including when they begin, how severe they are, how long they last and which viruses will spread. There were more uncertainties than usual going into this flu season (2009-2010), because of the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called "novel H1N1" or "swine flu"). This virus caused the first influenza pandemic (global outbreak of disease) in more than 40 years. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/current-season.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/current-season.htm Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST The purpose of this document is to provide a suggested approach, based on input from pediatric stakeholders, to communicating pediatric-related information on pandemic influenza at the community level in a step-by-step manner. This is a suggested approach to coordinating communication and disseminating information; it can be adapted or modified to suit most communities as they see fit. The goal is to give community planners "talking points" for discussions on a coordinated approach to communication in their community. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pediatrics_tool.htm http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pediatrics_tool.htm Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST During week 2 (January 10-16, 2010), influenza activity decreased slightly in the U.S. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST As of 17 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14142 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_22/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_22/en/index.html Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST The emergence and spread of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus (2009 H1N1) resulted in extraordinary influenza activity in the United States throughout the summer and fall months of 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5902a3.htm?s_cid=mm5902a3_e http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5902a3.htm?s_cid=mm5902a3_e Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST A study conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists provides additional confirmation that meat and tissue from pigs exposed to two strains of the 2009 novel pandemic H1N1 virus did not contain virus. http://www.usda.gov/documents/ARS_STUDY_H1N1_Pork_12-16-09.pdf http://www.usda.gov/documents/ARS_STUDY_H1N1_Pork_12-16-09.pdf Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST 15 January 2010 -- As of 10 January 2010, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 13554 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_15/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_15/en/index.html Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:15:00 EST In July 2009, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued recommendations for use of the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine (1). Recognizing that the vaccine supply would not be ample immediately but would grow over time, ACIP identified 1) initial target groups, consisting of approximately 160 million persons, and 2) a limited vaccine subset of the target groups, initially estimated at 42 million persons (and more recently estimated at 62 million persons), to receive first priority while the 2009 H1N1 vaccine supply was limited (1). ACIP recommended expanding vaccination to the rest of the population as vaccine supplies increased. To estimate 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage to date for the 2009--10 influenza season, CDC analyzed results from the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, conducted during December 27, 2009--January 2, 2010, and December 1--27, 2009, respectively. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0115a1.htm http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0115a1.htm Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:50:00 EST National Influenza Vaccination Week continues with a focus on the importance of young adults getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu. Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will visit Hunter College in New York City for a roundtable discussion with students and faculty about the H1N1 flu. Secretary Sebelius will also announce a new Facebook application called, “I’m a Flu Fighter” that allows users to tell their friends that they received the flu vaccination and urge others to do the same. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100114a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100114a.html Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:15:00 EST The purpose of this document is to provide information to state and local immunization programs regarding options for reporting certain criminal, fraud and abuse matters relating to the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine and ancillary supplies. http://www.flu.gov/professional/states/fraud_qa.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/states/fraud_qa.html Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:50:00 EST Every American has a role to play in fighting the H1N1 flu. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-influenza-vaccination-week http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-influenza-vaccination-week Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:20:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a nationwide effort to encourage more Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine during National Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10–16, 2010. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100108a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100108a.html Fri, 8 Jan 2010 15:20:00 EST Many travelers are expected to visit Asia in the upcoming weeks to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Tiger. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/lunar-new-year-2010.aspx http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/lunar-new-year-2010.aspx Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:20:00 EST 8 January 2010 -- As of 3 January 2009, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 12799 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_08/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_08/en/index.html Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. http://www.pandemicflu.gov/news/nivw.html http://www.pandemicflu.gov/news/nivw.html Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST If you have diabetes, you are more likely to get flu-related complications like pneumonia and even be hospitalized or die from the flu than other people. Influenza may also interfere with blood glucose management. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/diabetes/diabetes_factsheet.htm http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/diabetes/diabetes_factsheet.htm Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware that pregnant women, parents of young children, and others may have questions about the safety of thimerosal in vaccines against 2009 H1N1 flu. Here is some information to help you in making decisions. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_factsheet.htm http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_factsheet.htm Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST CDC Updates Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths for the week ending December 26, 2009 http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/#totalcases http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/#totalcases Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST WHO Updates International H1N1 Flu Situation http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_12_30/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_12_30/en/index.html Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST