H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Global levels hold steady, viral adaptation to humans, New Zealand activity up

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Aug 6, 2010

WHO reports little change in flu levels
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the global pandemic H1N1 situation remained largely unchanged in the week that ended Aug 1, with transmission still most active in parts of South Asia and limited areas of tropical South and Central America. India continues to have the most notable activity, although the intensity and severity did not appear to exceed levels during the first 2009 wave. Southern Hemisphere areas with H1N1 flu activity include Chile, New Zealand, and Australia.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_08_06/en/index.html
Aug 6 WHO update

Biochemical trick helps H1N1 virus spread in humans
A new study has identified an amino acid in pandemic H1N1 that allows its efficient replication in mammals. The acid, at position 591 of polymerase subunit PB2 (ie, PB2-591), apparently compensates for the virus's lack of the amino acid PB2-627K, thought to be critical for avian flu virus adaptation to mammals. The authors say this finding, plus another regarding an alteration in surface shape of the H1N1 PB2 protein, helps explain the spread of the virus in humans.
http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1001034
Aug PLoS Pathog article

H1N1 activity up in New Zealand
Influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in New Zealand, now in its winter season, are showing a significant uptick, according to a news release from the country's ministry of health. Reports of ILIs are at their highest level for the year so far but remain well below the level at this time last year, just after the peak of the 2009 wave. Pandemic H1N1 is the predominant strain circulating, and some areas that were not affected severely last year are seeing higher rates of hospitalization.
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-update-198-050810
Aug 5 news release

This week's top reads

  1. Vietnam reports H5N1 avian flu case with encephalitis

    Tests on respiratory samples were negative, but results were positive for the cerebrospinal fluid sample.

    Lisa Schnirring
    ICU monitors

  2. Studies detail high rates of long COVID among healthcare, dental workers

    The most common symptom reported by healthcare workers was fatigue.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    health worker in mask

  3. CIDRAP launches Vaccine Integrity Project to help safeguard US vaccine use

    The steering committee will make recommendations on how non-governmental groups can help ensure that vaccine use is evidence-based.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    MMR vaccine vial on table

  4. Tick-borne meat allergy may be related to urbanization in mid-Atlantic US

    The study identified open-space development and low population density as risk factors for Alpha-gal syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Lone star tick

  5. Quick takes: Mpox outbreak in Malawi, more H5N1 in Idaho and California dairy cows

    The cases in Malawi bring the number of African countries affected by mpox to 23.

    Lisa Schnirring

  6. New agreement geared toward universal avian flu vaccine

    The mRNA vaccine targets all major clades of the H5 avian flu subtype.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  7. US measles cases climb higher, approach 900

    Thirty states have cases, and 83% of infections are part of outbreaks, the largest centered  in West Texas.

    Lisa Schnirring
    young boy with measles

  8. 'On the precipice of disaster': Measles may be endemic in 25 years if vaccine uptake stays low, model predicts

    A 10% decline in vaccine uptake could lead to 11.1 million cases of the highly contagious illness in that timeframe.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Measles virus

  9. Poll finds false measles claims gaining attention amid US outbreaks

    Though confidence in the vaccine remains high, KFF found that misinformation is sowing more doubts.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman scrolling on phone

  10. USDA withdraws proposal to reduce Salmonella in poultry

    The Biden-era rule would have prevented the sale of raw chicken or turkey with certain levels or strains of Salmonella.

    Chris Dall
    Raw poultry in processing plant

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