H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Similarity of H1N1 and H5N1, vaccine components, dominant flu virus, immunity in Norway

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Aug 5, 2010

Pandemic H1N1 and H5N1 genetically similar
A group of Japanese and US researchers has found that the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus and a contemporary H5N1 avian flu virus have a high degree of genetic compatibility. The study involved co-infecting susceptible (MDCK) cultured cells with both viruses. Their findings, they say, show that reassortment between the two viruses is likely in the event of co-infection in a susceptible host (likely swine) and could create a pandemic H5N1 virus.
http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/content/short/JVI.01140-10v1?rss
Aug 4 J Virol abstract

Study: Importance of HA and NA in pandemic vaccine
Inclusion of the neuraminidase (NA) surface glycoprotein in pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine is likely to reduce the hemagglutinin (HA)  dose required and to broaden protective immunity. Dutch researchers evaluated the efficacy of soluble, multimeric forms of 2009 H1N1 HA and NA as vaccines in ferrets. NA dramatically reduced virus replication, and HA markedly decreased clinical effects of infection; optimal protection was achieved by co-administration of both.
http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/content/short/JVI.01035-10v1?rss
Aug 4 J Virol abstract

Pandemic H1N1 was dominant flu virus in Southern Hemisphere
Researchers analyzing World Health Organization Southern Hemisphere data collected during the winter of 2009 found that the pandemic H1N1 strain almost totally displaced seasonal H1N1 in the first phase of the pandemic. Also, the rates of seasonal H3N2 influenza declined from typical levels but to a lesser extent. The authors recommend that seasonal vaccines for the coming winter include representative pandemic H1N1 and seasonal H3N2 viruses but not previously circulating seasonal H1N1.
http://tinyurl.com/eurosurv080510h1n1south
August Eurosurveillance article

Large rise in antibodies to pandemic H1N1 in Norwegians
A study from Norway found that the prevalence of antibodies to pandemic H1N1 rose from 3.2% to 44.9% from August 2009 to January 2010. Young people aged 10 to 19 had the highest prevalence, at 65.3%. Population-representative serum samples were collected before the pandemic, during the early phase, and after a nationwide vaccination program. The authors state that the high immunity to pandemic H1N1 may be enough to forestall an epidemic of the virus in Norway in the coming flu season.
http://tinyurl.com/eurosurv080510immun
August Eurosurveillance article

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

    The most common symptom reported by healthcare workers was fatigue.

    Stephanie Soucheray
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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
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