Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EDT Welcome to the PandemicFlu.gov RSS news feed provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.flu.gov News en-us 2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 46 ending November 21, 2009. All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EDT Questions and Answers on 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Financing http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/statelocal/vaccine_financing.htm http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/statelocal/vaccine_financing.htm Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EDT As of 22 November 2009, worldwide more than 207 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 7820 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_27a/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_27a/en/index.html Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EDT The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Agriflu for people ages 18 years and older to prevent disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm192148.htm http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm192148.htm Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EDT This document provides interim guidance specific for U.S.-based emergency shelters used by displaced persons during a natural or man-made disaster during the 2009-2010 influenza (“flu”) season. http://flu.gov/professional/community/emergencyshelters/guidance.html http://flu.gov/professional/community/emergencyshelters/guidance.html Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EDT This new guidance considers the potential for people to be placed in close quarters in an emergency shelter, during a natural or man-made disaster, this 2009-2010 flu season. Prevention and response measures for shelter managers, workers, volunteers, and clients are provided specifically for this flu season. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/emergencyshelters_qa.htm http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/emergencyshelters_qa.htm Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EDT WHO: Clinical Management of Human Infection with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: Revised Guidance http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/clinical_management/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/clinical_management/en/index.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EDT Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report for Week ending November 14, 2009 http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EDT The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has informed WHO of a mutation detected in three H1N1 viruses. The viruses were isolated from the first two fatal cases of pandemic influenza in the country and one patient with severe illness. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20091120/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20091120/en/index.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EDT As of 15 November 2009, worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6770 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_20a/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_20a/en/index.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EDT Updated Guidance for the Use of CSL 2009 H1N1 Monovalent Vaccine http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/cslguidance.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/cslguidance.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EDT To date, WHO has received vaccination information from 16 of around 40 countries conducting national H1N1 pandemic vaccine campaigns. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20091119/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20091119/en/index.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EDT Invasive pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/qa_pneumococcal_disease.htm http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/qa_pneumococcal_disease.htm Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EDT A new study shows that molecular similarities exist between the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and other strains of seasonal H1N1 virus that have been circulating in the population since 1988. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/H1N1protection.htm http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/H1N1protection.htm Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EDT The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved a fifth vaccine for protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm190783.htm http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm190783.htm Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EDT The Federal Trade Commission last week sent 10 warning letters to Web site operators who made questionable claims that their products can prevent, treat, or cure the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/11/h1n1.shtm http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/11/h1n1.shtm Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EDT Situation Update. During the week of November 1-7, 2009, influenza activity remained high in the United States, with some key indicators decreasing slightly and others continuing to climb. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EDT As of 8 November 2009, worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6250 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_13/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_13/en/index.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EDT Mass gatherings are highly visible events with the potential for serious public health and political consequences if they are not planned and managed carefully. http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/cp002_2009-0511_planning_considerations_for_mass_gatherings.pdf http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/cp002_2009-0511_planning_considerations_for_mass_gatherings.pdf Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EDT All 2009 H1N1 guidance is interim and subject to review and revision as more is learned about this novel influenza virus. This guidance may be revised in the event that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic increases in severity compared with the situation in spring/summer 2009. http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/parents/pregnant/pregnant_hcw_ed_childcare.html http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/parents/pregnant/pregnant_hcw_ed_childcare.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EDT Having a disability alone may not place someone at higher risk for complications from the H1N1 virus, but other factors may put a person with disabilities at higher risk. http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/disabilities/index.html http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/disabilities/index.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EDT The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the CSL Limited’s 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to include children ages 6 months and older. This vaccine was previously approved only for use in adults, ages 18 years and older. “Because children are among those most vulnerable to the 2009 H1N1 virus, having a broader range of children’s vaccines available is an important step in responding to the H1N1 outbreak,” said Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., commissioner of food and drugs. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm190359.htm http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm190359.htm Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EDT This interim guidance has been updated to replace previously posted guidance entitled "Considerations Regarding Novel H1N1 Flu Virus in Obstetric Settings", dated July 6, 2009. This document clarifies clinical considerations related to management of suspected or confirmed maternal infection with 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection within labor and delivery, postpartum, and newborn care settings in hospitals. A cautious approach to the management of ill mothers and their newborns is still recommended, but several options are provided based on hospital configuration, staffing, and surge capacity. http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/index.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/index.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EDT FDA Commissioner thanks doctors for their efforts and provides information on the safety of H1N1 vaccines. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm189676.htm http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm189676.htm Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EDT All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EDT Although use of influenza antiviral drugs in the United States has increased during the 2009-2010 flu season, not all people recommended for antiviral treatment are getting treated. http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/HAN/110609.htm http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/HAN/110609.htm Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EDT