- Keeping healthy while flying - Spreading germs on a plane can be mitigated by keeping your hands clean (duh) and using common-sense public health practices.
- Possible vaccine controversy with the coming H1N1 vaccine - The author discusses the importance of a public education campaign around vaccine safety.
- Our very own Lisa had an article published in a recent MMWR! This article discusses the paper about the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS).
- The House passed a food safety bill - This bill will require more frequent FDA inspections.
- Mental health is an important issue in the military - This article discusses suicide rates among soldiers.
- And, just for fun, Michael Pollan had a recent article discussing the changes in American cooking habits in light of the new Julia Child movie, "Julie & Julia." I thought it was an interesting article.
Showing posts with label swine flu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swine flu. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
News links
Several interesting articles from the weekend that may be of interest:
Friday, July 17, 2009
WHO to stop tracking H1N1 cases
Wow, it's been awhile! I've been out of the country (Africa!) and we've been busy here at the office. I will post a public-health-related posting about Africa, which was fascinating, but for now, here is a little H1N1 update.
Apparently, WHO says it will stop tracking H1N1 cases. Very interesting. It said in a "briefing note" posted on the website late Thursday that tracking would cease. One of the reasons indicated is that poorer countries are having a hard time keeping up with the load on their epidemiologists and laboratories. The website says that "there is still an ongoing need in all countries to closely monitor unusual events, such as clusters of cases of severe or fatal pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection, clusters of respiratory illness requiring hospitalization, or unexplained or unusual clinical patterns associated with serious or fatal cases." New countries with H1N1, however, will still be reported on the WHO website.
It is unclear what the agency will track exactly now. Dr. Michael Osterholm, quoted in the NY Times article, says that "bad measures can be worse than no measure at all" and that he hopes this "will force the public health community to come up with better [measures]."
Very interesting. We'll have to keep an eye on this.
Apparently, WHO says it will stop tracking H1N1 cases. Very interesting. It said in a "briefing note" posted on the website late Thursday that tracking would cease. One of the reasons indicated is that poorer countries are having a hard time keeping up with the load on their epidemiologists and laboratories. The website says that "there is still an ongoing need in all countries to closely monitor unusual events, such as clusters of cases of severe or fatal pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection, clusters of respiratory illness requiring hospitalization, or unexplained or unusual clinical patterns associated with serious or fatal cases." New countries with H1N1, however, will still be reported on the WHO website.
It is unclear what the agency will track exactly now. Dr. Michael Osterholm, quoted in the NY Times article, says that "bad measures can be worse than no measure at all" and that he hopes this "will force the public health community to come up with better [measures]."
Very interesting. We'll have to keep an eye on this.
Monday, June 8, 2009
New links
Here are 2 new links for the day. The first is about a new electronic reporting system by Orion Health Inc. The second discusses lessons from the H1N1 outbreak. It is by my favorite writer! (Ok, it's my dad. But he is qualified to write such an article as a practicing pediatrician who is involved with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the public health community.)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Some headlines ... briefly
See below for more details, but this blog will be light this week due to our Annual Conference. But here are a few headlines to peruse:
Tom Frieden to take over CDC Monday
State public health laboratories in the spotlight
This article highlights how much states and counties are hurting.
A general public health opinion/human interest piece.
Is FDA regulation of tobacco a good idea or a bad idea? Hard to say, there are lots of arguments (which I cannot get into now with my current time contraints) but this article has quite an opinion!
I told you - H1N1 has not gone away. Click here.
Tom Frieden to take over CDC Monday
State public health laboratories in the spotlight
This article highlights how much states and counties are hurting.
A general public health opinion/human interest piece.
Is FDA regulation of tobacco a good idea or a bad idea? Hard to say, there are lots of arguments (which I cannot get into now with my current time contraints) but this article has quite an opinion!
I told you - H1N1 has not gone away. Click here.
Friday, June 5, 2009
H1N1 - out of media spotlight but not gone
For those of you who think that because media coverage of H1N1 has dropped off, the scare is over, think again!
This article summarizes the U.S. preparations for a second wave of H1N1 that is expected to hit the U.S. (and the Northern Hemisphere in general) in the fall. The article mentions a Trust for America's Health report that finds that "while the investment in pandemic planning and stockpiling of antiviral medications have paid off, recent cuts in public health departments have meant many did not have adequate resources to carry out flu plans."
So, the bottom line is stay vigilant and encourage your lawmakers to invest in public health! Click here and enter your zip code to find your lawmakers' contact information.
This article summarizes the U.S. preparations for a second wave of H1N1 that is expected to hit the U.S. (and the Northern Hemisphere in general) in the fall. The article mentions a Trust for America's Health report that finds that "while the investment in pandemic planning and stockpiling of antiviral medications have paid off, recent cuts in public health departments have meant many did not have adequate resources to carry out flu plans."
So, the bottom line is stay vigilant and encourage your lawmakers to invest in public health! Click here and enter your zip code to find your lawmakers' contact information.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
New links!
Lots going on this week, let's start right in:
First, H1N1 influenza. This situation has stretched local and state health departments even thinner than they already were. This is a major problem, as resources across the country are tight but expectations are high to handle the epidemic smoothly and without causing fear or panic. Speaking of panic, this article reveals some psychology about the fear and panic we humans tend towards. And this article examines the risk of new infectious diseases and people's reactions to that risk. Is there any way to reign this epidemic in? Find out here. And, finally, now that public concern is dying down (in conjunction with media attention waning, not coincidentally) will our focus on hand-washing die away too? Let's hope not.
On to other topics. As you may be aware, calorie counts on menus are popping up at fast food joints across the country, notably in New York City and in Chicago. This article examines the phenomenon and its impact, especially as federal legislation is pending.
The FDA is developing a new system to track and report adverse events of its products. We'll see how this story develops, but here is a summary article.
Finally, an article about parental refusal of the pertussis vaccine is in the latest issue of Pediatrics. The study found that children whose parents refuse the vaccine are at an increased risk of developing pertussis. The authors conclude that "these findings stress the need to further understand why parents refuse immunizations and to develop strategies for conveying the risks and benefits of immunizations to parents more effectively."
First, H1N1 influenza. This situation has stretched local and state health departments even thinner than they already were. This is a major problem, as resources across the country are tight but expectations are high to handle the epidemic smoothly and without causing fear or panic. Speaking of panic, this article reveals some psychology about the fear and panic we humans tend towards. And this article examines the risk of new infectious diseases and people's reactions to that risk. Is there any way to reign this epidemic in? Find out here. And, finally, now that public concern is dying down (in conjunction with media attention waning, not coincidentally) will our focus on hand-washing die away too? Let's hope not.
On to other topics. As you may be aware, calorie counts on menus are popping up at fast food joints across the country, notably in New York City and in Chicago. This article examines the phenomenon and its impact, especially as federal legislation is pending.
The FDA is developing a new system to track and report adverse events of its products. We'll see how this story develops, but here is a summary article.
Finally, an article about parental refusal of the pertussis vaccine is in the latest issue of Pediatrics. The study found that children whose parents refuse the vaccine are at an increased risk of developing pertussis. The authors conclude that "these findings stress the need to further understand why parents refuse immunizations and to develop strategies for conveying the risks and benefits of immunizations to parents more effectively."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Links for the week
Given the H1N1 flu outbreak, should global surveillance of animal disease be activated? That will likely be a hot topic of conversation among epidemiologists and state public health veterinarians in coming months. Some diseases, like rabies, mad cow disease, and avian flu, are already under surveillance among animals. H1N1, however, is not - at least for now. However, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization asked for countries to report flu-like symptoms in pigs to combat H1N1. This article touches on this issue.
Using Google to help track an epidemic. Check out Google Flu if you haven't already. It uses Google search data and CDC flu surveillance data to track influenza trends for seasonal influenza. It's pretty interesting. Officials are working with Mexico to track similar trends in Mexico for H1N1. Apparently WHO also uses a "similar on-the-ground surveillance strategy" called the Global Public Health Intelligence Network, according to this article. This network is so cool! What if epidemiology were called "health intelligence" instead and we had CIA-like badges?? Now, the effectiveness of tools like this is still being evaluated. But still... very interesting potential.
Chicken pox.. I mean swine flu parties.. Wait, what? Apparently the "latest thing" in some circles is throwing an H1N1 party to infect your friends. This has been around for years for chicken pox, so that once all the kids have chicken pox, they are then immune. I won't speak to why some people think this is a good idea. I don't. Given how many kids die of seasonal influenza each year, this isn't funny. It's a bad idea. Viruses affect people differently, and it's just a bad idea. Don't do it. Buy a mask, wash your hands, cover your cough, etc.
Using Google to help track an epidemic. Check out Google Flu if you haven't already. It uses Google search data and CDC flu surveillance data to track influenza trends for seasonal influenza. It's pretty interesting. Officials are working with Mexico to track similar trends in Mexico for H1N1. Apparently WHO also uses a "similar on-the-ground surveillance strategy" called the Global Public Health Intelligence Network, according to this article. This network is so cool! What if epidemiology were called "health intelligence" instead and we had CIA-like badges?? Now, the effectiveness of tools like this is still being evaluated. But still... very interesting potential.
Chicken pox.. I mean swine flu parties.. Wait, what? Apparently the "latest thing" in some circles is throwing an H1N1 party to infect your friends. This has been around for years for chicken pox, so that once all the kids have chicken pox, they are then immune. I won't speak to why some people think this is a good idea. I don't. Given how many kids die of seasonal influenza each year, this isn't funny. It's a bad idea. Viruses affect people differently, and it's just a bad idea. Don't do it. Buy a mask, wash your hands, cover your cough, etc.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
WHO General-Director increases influenza pandemic alert to Phase 5
So what does that mean exactly? The phases are mapped out by the World Health Organization and sketch out the face of a possible influenza pandemic. Currently, we're still at pandemic-alert.
Interpandemic period
Phase 1 : No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. An influenza virus subtype that has caused human infection may be present in animals. If present in animals, the risk of human infection or disease is considered to be low.
Phase 2: No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. However, a circulating animal influenza virus subtype poses a substantial risk of human disease.
Pandemic alert period
Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype but no human-to-human spread, or at most rare instances of spread to a close contact.
Phase 4: Small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human transmission but spread is highly localized, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans.
Phase 5: Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to humans but may not yet be fully transmissible (substantial pandemic risk).
Pandemic period
Phase 6: Pandemic: increased and sustained transmission in general population.
Notes: The distinction between phases 1 and 2 is based on the risk of human infection or disease resulting from circulating strains in animals. The distinction is based on various factors and their relative importance according to current scientific knowledge. Factors may include pathogenicity in animals and humans, occurrence in domesticated animals and livestock or only in wildlife, whether the virus is enzootic or epizootic, geographically localized or widespread, and other scientific parameters.
If you have a lot of time on your hands, or are interested -- check out the WHO global Influenza preparedness plan here. It might be interesting to see how well the US and the world as a whole is following the plans set prior to the reality of an actual pandemic. There are so many different variables that could never be accounted for when a group of people are writing a plan. And as we all know -- rarely do things happen according to a plan. Unfortunately when this whole pandemic is over, the US and the world's actions will be scrutinized and judged. It's important to keep in mind that the folks at the ground level are working as hard as ever to keep the public safe.
Interpandemic period
Phase 1 : No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. An influenza virus subtype that has caused human infection may be present in animals. If present in animals, the risk of human infection or disease is considered to be low.
Phase 2: No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. However, a circulating animal influenza virus subtype poses a substantial risk of human disease.
Pandemic alert period
Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype but no human-to-human spread, or at most rare instances of spread to a close contact.
Phase 4: Small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human transmission but spread is highly localized, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans.
Phase 5: Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to humans but may not yet be fully transmissible (substantial pandemic risk).
Pandemic period
Phase 6: Pandemic: increased and sustained transmission in general population.
Notes: The distinction between phases 1 and 2 is based on the risk of human infection or disease resulting from circulating strains in animals. The distinction is based on various factors and their relative importance according to current scientific knowledge. Factors may include pathogenicity in animals and humans, occurrence in domesticated animals and livestock or only in wildlife, whether the virus is enzootic or epizootic, geographically localized or widespread, and other scientific parameters.
If you have a lot of time on your hands, or are interested -- check out the WHO global Influenza preparedness plan here. It might be interesting to see how well the US and the world as a whole is following the plans set prior to the reality of an actual pandemic. There are so many different variables that could never be accounted for when a group of people are writing a plan. And as we all know -- rarely do things happen according to a plan. Unfortunately when this whole pandemic is over, the US and the world's actions will be scrutinized and judged. It's important to keep in mind that the folks at the ground level are working as hard as ever to keep the public safe.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Yet again... more swine flu news
Here are a bunch of articles about swine flu. Most of these aren't news news - nothing hot-off-the-presses. Just some background stuff and some interesting links to take a look at.
Swine flu - a primer. From CNN.com.
What is an epidemic? From Smithsonian.com.
Just to underscore what swine flu is about - it's not a foodborne disease. You won't get it from eating pork. Not eating pork won't prevent you from getting it. (Says me, but also say the pork farmers in the U.S. as well.)
So as this outbreak has hit, we have several holes in our political leadership. The secretary of Health and Human Services has just been confirmed (Kathleen Sebelius) but the posts of CDC director and Surgeon General are still open. This article provides insight on this.
Some commentary from a New York Times blog.
And last but NOT least, how to prevent contracting swine flu? WASH YOUR HANDS. This fact sheet (with pictures, just in case you need help) is going up on my office bathroom mirror in a few minutes. For good hygiene and also for swine flu. Come on, people, wash your hands after you use the bathroom!
Swine flu - a primer. From CNN.com.
What is an epidemic? From Smithsonian.com.
Just to underscore what swine flu is about - it's not a foodborne disease. You won't get it from eating pork. Not eating pork won't prevent you from getting it. (Says me, but also say the pork farmers in the U.S. as well.)
So as this outbreak has hit, we have several holes in our political leadership. The secretary of Health and Human Services has just been confirmed (Kathleen Sebelius) but the posts of CDC director and Surgeon General are still open. This article provides insight on this.
Some commentary from a New York Times blog.
And last but NOT least, how to prevent contracting swine flu? WASH YOUR HANDS. This fact sheet (with pictures, just in case you need help) is going up on my office bathroom mirror in a few minutes. For good hygiene and also for swine flu. Come on, people, wash your hands after you use the bathroom!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Swine flu
The swine flu outbreak is here and it's real. See my last post for more information, but here are a couple good places to visit:
Obviously any news site would be good - cnn.com, New York Times, whatever you news source of choice is. And of course CDC is always a good standby for all public health related news. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ is the place to start.
This New York Times article has a good "Understanding Swine Flu" graphic that is interesting and helpful. Click here to go to the graphic.
This map shows where the outbreaks are, it's a good visual way to picture the spread of the outbreak.
It is important to note that the U.S. declaring a public health emergency does not mean that all hell should break loose. It just frees up resources, allows antivirals to be positioned in case they're needed, etc. The precautions you should take are to wash your hands with warm, soapy water and stay away from being in close contact with those who are sick. That's just general common sense!
Obviously any news site would be good - cnn.com, New York Times, whatever you news source of choice is. And of course CDC is always a good standby for all public health related news. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ is the place to start.
This New York Times article has a good "Understanding Swine Flu" graphic that is interesting and helpful. Click here to go to the graphic.
This map shows where the outbreaks are, it's a good visual way to picture the spread of the outbreak.
It is important to note that the U.S. declaring a public health emergency does not mean that all hell should break loose. It just frees up resources, allows antivirals to be positioned in case they're needed, etc. The precautions you should take are to wash your hands with warm, soapy water and stay away from being in close contact with those who are sick. That's just general common sense!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Swine Flu News
Keep up with Swine Flu news here as news updates will be posted here.
For those who haven't heard: Read U.S. swine flu linked to Mexico outbreak
For those who haven't heard: Read U.S. swine flu linked to Mexico outbreak
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