Public health Archives

US to improve monitoring for H1N1

President?s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) releases report assessing H1N1 preparations. Administration?s H1N1 efforts to date praised. Additional recommendations made to improve monitoring and strengthen medical response. – A Presidential advisory group of the US’ leading scientists and engineers released a new report assessing the Obama Administration’s preparations for this fall’s expected resurgence of 2009-H1N1 flu and outlining key steps officials can take in the coming weeks and months to minimize the disease’s impact on the nation.

CDC guidelines for seasonal and swine flu vaccines questioned

Yale researcher questions federal guidelines for seasonal and swine flu vaccines – With the seasonal flu season approaching and uncertainty over whether swine flu will become more severe, new research published by Yale School of Public Health has found that more people are likely to avoid illness if vaccines are given out first to those most likely to transmit viruses, rather than to those at highest risk for complications.

India H1N1 flu update – 1927 positive for H1N1 virus

H1N1 update as on 17th August 2009 – Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 42,024 passengers have been screened on 16.8.2009 of which 30,644 passengers were from affected countries.

MRSA may accompany hospital patients to home

Hospital-acquired MRSA carriage was common at discharge to home health care and was frequently prolonged. Transmission occurred in nearly 20% of household contacts and was associated with older age and participation in health care of the index patient. – Infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) appears relatively common among patients discharged from the hospital into home health care, revealed by researchers. In addition, about one-fifth of infected patients may transmit the organism to other people in their households.

Breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer

Breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer in women with a family history of the disease – Women with a family history of breast cancer were 59 percent less likely to develop breast cancer themselves if they breastfed their children, revealed by US researchers.

Update on Influenza a H1N1 in India

Update on Influenza a (H1N1) as on 10th August 2009 – Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 42,103 passengers have been screened on 9.8.2009 of which 34,366 passengers were from affected countries.

Deet insect repellent is neurotoxic

The popular insect repellent deet is neurotoxic – The active ingredient in many insect repellents, deet, has been found to be toxic to the central nervous system, revealed by researchers.

Organic food not nutritionally superior than conventional

Organic food not nutritionally better than conventionally-produced food — Systematic review of literature over 50 years finds no evidence for superior nutritional content of organic produce. – A systematic review of literature over 50 years finds no evidence for superior nutritional content of organic produce. Researchers revealed that organic food is not nutritionally better than conventionally-produced food.

Divorce undermines health, illness lingers after remarriage

Divorce undermines health in ways remarriage doesn’t heal — Impact of chronic illness lingers after remarriage. – Divorce and widowhood have a lingering, detrimental impact on health, even after a person remarries, research at the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins University shows.

Another test for 2009 H1N1 influenza virus

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Authorizes Emergency Use of Another Test for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a another diagnostic test for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, whose spread has caused the virus to be characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Prechewed food could transmit HIV

First three cases of likely HIV transmission to infants via pre-chewed food suggest cautioning HIV-positive caregivers against prechewing food. – Researchers have uncovered the first cases in which HIV almost certainly was transmitted from mothers or other caregivers to children through pre-chewed food.

Seasonal influenza vaccine for 2009-2010 approved by US

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approves Vaccine for 2009-2010 Seasonal Influenza. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved a vaccine for 2009-2010 seasonal influenza in the United States. The seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.