The world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history. – The world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history, thanks, in part, to vigilance and diligence of countries, Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said in her address to a special meeting of ASEAN+3 health ministers in Bangkok, Thailand.
U.S. FDA Licenses Sanofi Pasteur’s New Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing Facility. Sanofi Pasteur committed to increasing its seasonal and pandemic influenza preparedness; New facility will increase production capacity in the U.S. – Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group (Euronext: SAN) (NYSE: SNY), announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed its new influenza vaccine manufacturing facility.
Flu pandemic in prison – A model for public health preparedness. – When pandemics occur, correctional facilities are not immune. With more than 9 million people incarcerated across the globe 2.25 million in U.S. jails and prisons alone it is vital that correctional officials and health professionals be prepared for a worst-case scenario that involves pandemic influenza reaching inmates and staff.
Social distancing interventions are important measure guaranteed to be available against a novel strain of influenza in the early phases of a pandemic. – A disease spread simulation has emphasized that flu interventions must be imposed quickly, if they are to be effective. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health have shown that staying at home, closing schools and isolating infected people within the home should reduce infection, but only if they are used in combination, activated without delay and maintained for a relatively long period.
Survey finds nearly half of Americans concerned they or their family may get sick from swine flu. – Following the declaration of a public health emergency due to the new H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, the Harvard Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a poll about how concerned Americans are about the outbreak, how they are responding and what they believe about transmission, prevention and treatment.
Universal flu vaccine holds promise. Study results will be presented at infectious diseases meeting on monday. – An influenza vaccine that protects against death and serious complications from different strains of flu is a little closer to reality, Saint Louis University vaccine researchers have found.
Lipoxen achieved positive preclinical results for revolutionary swine influenza vaccine. – Lipoxen plc (AIM:LPX) (“Lipoxen” or “the Company”), a bio-pharmaceutical company specialising in the development of high value differentiated biologicals, vaccines and siRNA delivery, and Cambridge Biostability Ltd (CBL), the developer of temperature stable vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, are pleased to announce that they have achieved positive preclinical results for the delivery of a novel and enhanced influenza vaccine based on the combination of Lipoxen’s novel vaccine delivery system ?ImuXen’ and CBL’s proprietary VitRIS stabilisation platform.
Update on Swine Flu Situation as on 30th April 2009 – World Health Organization has reported human cases of Swine Influenza A [H1N1] caused by a re-assorted Swine flu virus. As on 29th April, 2009 nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection with 8 deaths.
World Health Organization raised Swine Influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5. – Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5.
FDA Researchers Contribute Insights into Avian Flu Virus. Findings could help develop new tests to detect infection; new tools to study H5N1 vaccines. – An in-depth analysis of blood from patients recovering from the H5N1 avian influenza virus has provided important insights into how to combat the potentially lethal virus.
Increased schooling across sub-Saharan Africa lowering new HIV infections among younger adults. – Increased schooling across sub-Saharan Africa may be lowering new HIV infections among younger adults, according to sociologists, suggesting a shift in a decades-long trend where formal education is considered an AIDS risk factor.
Human vaccine against bird flu a reality with new discovery – A vaccine to protect humans from a bird flu pandemic is within reach after a new discovery by researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia.
