200,000 Doses Of H1N1 Vaccine For High-Risk Groups From February

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Some 200,000 doses of Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine will be allocated for high-risk groups such as pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases beginning next month.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said they could get vaccinated with the vaccine for free at the government hospitals and clinics.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Tung Shin Hospital here today, Liow said the balance of 300,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine from the 400,000 ordered from Britain would be received at the end of this month.

"We will conduct (100,000) vaccinations on the frontline workers first, and then the high-risk groups like pregnant women, the obese, and those with high blood pressure and so on.

"They are our priority before the vaccine is distributed for other groups in preventing and curbing H1N1 infections," he said.

On the H1N1 situation in the country, Liow said it was under control, with the ministry abiding by the World Health Organisation's directive for continuous close monitoring of all cases of flu.

"We are worried if the H1N1 virus will mutate. But our monitoring have so far not shown that the virus has mutates into other forms."

He said the district health officers had also been instructed to obtain all flu samples for further tests.

On another matter, Liow said the ministry would work at enabling private doctors to serve as locums at government hospitals and clinics as soon as possible.

"They told me that they had applied to serve as locums but they never got invited. After our dialogue session with the Malaysian Medical Association last Friday, we will work together at improving health services in the country."

Asked whether the private doctors would want a higher payment as locums at the government hospitals, Liow said the current payment was reasonable at RM80 per hour.

Earlier, he handed over two mock cheques for RM2 million each to Tung Shin Hospital and the Chinese Maternity Hospital for the purchase of equipment and medicines.

Liow called for the setting up of more non-profit-based hospitals to enable the low-income group to seek treatment at such hospitals.

-- BERNAMA

U.S. Swine Flu Response Hurt By Spending Cut

A public health nurse prepares a dose of H1N1 vaccine at the Balboa Park Community Center in Encino, California in this October 23, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Mark Boster/Pool/Files

By JoAnne Allen

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) -- The U.S. response to the H1N1 pandemic has been as good as can be expected given the recession but cuts in public health spending exposed vulnerabilities, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Layoffs and spending cuts in the public health sector weakened U.S. efforts to battle the pandemic, which has killed an estimated 10,000 Americans, the nonprofit Trust For America's Health found.

"Trying to respond to the pandemic in the middle of the worst economic climate since the Great Depression has meant that we were asking public officials to do more with less and budgets and staff were stretched well beyond their limits," the group's deputy director Rich Hamburg told reporters.

More than half of states -- 27 -- cut public health funds from 2008 to 2009, while federal funds to prepare for pandemics have been cut by more than 25 percent since fiscal year 2005, the report found.

The Trust, which has repeatedly criticized U.S. preparedness for pandemics, recommended increased spending for public health and more funds to modernize flu vaccine production and for vaccine research and development.

Separately, the Government Accountability Office said the White House Homeland Security Council's pamdemic plan was out of date.

"It is incomplete and they need to update it and fill in some of the gaps," the GAO's Bernice Steinhardt, who wrote the report, said in a telephone interview.

"They need to take advantage of the fact that we actually are going through a pandemic and there obviously are lessons to be learned from the real-life experience."

The National Association of County and City Health Officials says that in the first half of 2009, local health departments cut about 8,000 jobs and cut hours for another 12,000 workers.

It said health reform legislation, currently being debated in Congress, presents an opportunity both to save jobs and protect the public's health.

VULNERABLE COUNTRY

"Coping with the widespread economic distress by cutting programs and readiness has really left the country vulnerable," said Dr. Irwin Redlener, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

Redlener said the public health system "got a lot of it right, but the system as a whole is struggling" in its response to the H1N1 outbreak.

Public communication about how the pandemic keeps changing needs improvement, Redlener said. And he said problems with the pace of H1N1 vaccine production fed anxiety because it did not meet the public's high expectations.

"The fact of the matter is that we didn't actually meet those expectations and that was very disconcerting. But once it was made available, the vaccine that is, it was rapidly and effectively distributed," he said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says swine flu has infected one in six people in the United States since arriving in April and killed nearly 10,000, including 1,100 children and 7,500 younger adults.

In a typical year, seasonal influenza kills 36,000 Americans and puts 200,000 into the hospital.

The CDC said on Tuesday that 94.6 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine had been made available for distribution so far, up from 73 million doses a week earlier.

© REUTERS 2009

--- BERNAMA

Malaysia Not Spared From H1N1

By Jumiati Rosly

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The influenza A (H1N1) pandemic caused panic worldwide this year, and Malaysia was no exception.

Setting the National Influenza Pandemic Preparation Plan in motion, the health ministry launched a big campaign to create public awareness of H1N1 and impart preventive measures to check its spread.

H1N1 was first detected in April in Mexico, forcing the government to shut down public buildings and public places.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported 622,482 positive cases of H1N1, with 7,826 deaths globally, until Nov 22.

Malaysia recorded 77 H1N1-related deaths.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the government would increase the anti-viral stock via a RM20 million allocation.

To avoid panic, the health ministry plans to switch to seasonal influenza vaccines which contain H1N1 vaccine by February/March to protect against influenza-like diseases.

Malaysia has ordered 400,000 doses of H1N1 vaccines worth RM14 million, to be received in stages for high risk groups like pregnant women and 18-60 year-olds with chronic diseases, while 200,000 had been set aside for frontline medical staff.

The education ministry has allocated RM10 million for preventive equipments like thermometres, sanitisers, nose and mouth masks to students and school staff.

H1N1 was also a big worry for Malaysian haj pilgrims where 26,000 were given seasonal influenza vaccination as prevention.

In February, the health ministry declared war on dengue fever and although statistics for November showed a drop, it was dissatisfied as most cases were detected late. Only 35 per cent were detected early.

Statistics for November showed there were 34,975 dengue cases with 75 deaths, a drop from the 38,995 cases and 84 deaths for the corresponding period last year.

Some 13,895 premises were slapped with compound fines amounting to RM2.6 million for breeding aedes mosquitoes, owners of 13,230 premises were warned and 50 owners of other premises taken to court.

The proposed privatisation of the National Heart Institute (IJN) by Sime Darby Bhd which wanted to take over a 51 per cent stake was another hot topic.

It was shelved by the Cabinet, following protests from various quarters.

The government assured that IJN would not be sold or privatised as long as there was no other alternative for the people to receive heart treatment.

The health ministry also announced that the human papillomavirus immunisation programme to prevent cervical cancer in 300,000 girls aged 13, would be implemented next year.

The immunisation programme costing RM150 million annually, was approved by the Cabinet.

The vaccine would be more effective to prevent cervical cancer among teenagers as compared to adults over 40 years of age.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer.

-- BERNAMA

CDC: Swine flu is widespread only in 25 states

AP – FILE-This May 11, 2009 file photo shows a hand sanitizer at an entrance to the Texas Capitol in Austin, …

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By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe, Ap Medical Writer – Fri Dec 4, 11:46 pm ET

ATLANTA – Swine flu infections continue to wane, just as vaccine is becoming plentiful enough that some communities are allowing everyone to get it, not just those in priority groups.

Swine flu was widespread in only 25 states last week — mostly in the Northeast and Southwest, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

In late October, 48 states were reporting widespread cases of swine flu. But since then, there's been a decline across the country, and it appears that a fall wave of swine flu infections has peaked.

Meanwhile, a shortage of swine flu vaccine is easing, with 73 million doses now available, roughly twice as much as there was a month ago. And another 10 million doses are expected in the next week, said Dr. Thomas Frieden, the CDC's director.

Initially, limited supplies caused the CDC to advise state and local health officials to reserve doses for those at highest risk for severe complications from swine flu or those who take care of them. That group includes pregnant women, children and young adults, health-care workers and people with asthma and certain other health problems.

Demand for the vaccine is still high in many places, but enough has become available that some communities are now giving it to people outside the priority groups, Frieden said.

"The number of communities that do that will increase in the coming weeks," he predicted, at a press conference in Atlanta.

At least three states — Alaska, Arkansas and Oklahoma — have begun offering swine flu vaccine to all comers. And some communities have opened vaccinations up, including Broward County, Fla., and Sacramento County, Calif., said Paula Steib, spokeswoman for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

Since it was first identified in April, swine flu has sickened an estimated 22 million Americans and killed 4,000. It has proved to be similar to seasonal flu but a bigger threat to children and young adults.

The swine flu pandemic has so far hit in two waves in the United States: First in the spring, then a larger wave that started in the late summer.

Flu is hard to predict, and health officials say they are worried of the possibility of a third wave this winter. The CDC said a new round of public service announcements about getting vaccinated are to begin next week.

___

On the Net:

CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

Malaysians urged to be wary of second H1N1 outbreak

PENANG:Malaysians are advised to be alert for a possible second wave of the H1N1 influenza outbreak.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai raised this concern as the northern hemisphere had recorded a 95% jump in cases.

More to come

--- THE STAR

Aussie Minister Advises Families To Receive A/H1N1 Flu Vaccination

CANBERRA, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon on Thursday urged Australians to shed their complacent attitude and make sure their families are vaccinated against A/ H1N1 flu, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

As the vaccine became available for children as young as six months on Thursday, Roxon said high A/H1N1 infection rates in North America were concerning.

"We are in a global battle against this pandemic," Roxon told reporters.

She advised all families to be vaccinated before the new school year, but preferably before Christmas.

Roxon said the A/H1N1 flu season that struck overseas this year was earlier than expected and could well be the same in Australia.

While the vaccine has been available for months, only 5 million doses have been administered from the stock of 21 million doses.

"We're always worried that when protection is available that they take advantage of it, that they not be too laidback in an Australian way to protect themselves against something that could be a big risk in the future," Roxon said.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration approved Panvax Junior for young children on Thursday. The A/H1N1 flu vaccine will be free for all children between 6 months and 9 years within two weeks.

The urgent message to vaccinate children ahead of this flu season comes after health statistics in Canada and the United States revealed worrying trends.

Children under nine years will need two doses for the vaccine to work fully. The first dose provides good protection, and the second dose taken 28 days later will boost the initial shot.

-- BERNAMA

73 H1N1 Cases With Five Deaths During This Year's Haj Season

MECCA, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- There were only 73 Influenza A(H1N1) cases with five deaths recorded out of nearly 2.5 million pilgrims who performed the Haj this year.

Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah was quoted as saying this by Saudi Arabian English daily Arab News.

The newspaper also quoted the Civil Defence director-general, Gen. Saad bin Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, as saying that there was a big drop in the number of accidents this Haj season compared to previous years.

"The huge drop is mainly attributed to the completion of the five-storey Jamrat Bridge and the expansion of the Arafah area by more than 30 per cent," he said.

Al-Tuwaijri said these projects had further boosted the capability of the Civil Defence agency and other government bodies in carrying out their tasks efficiently.

"It also enabled the pilgrims to perform the Haj rites in ease and comfort," he added.

-- BERNAMA

H1N1:Obama isytihar darurat

WASHINGTON 25 Okt. – Presiden Barack Obama mengisytiharkan selesema babi sebagai ‘darurat negara’ sewaktu Amerika Syarikat menghadapi berjuta-juta kes jangkitan dan lebih 1,000 kematian.

Pengisytiharan darurat yang ditandatangani petang kelmarin itu, membolehkan para doktor dan jururawat melangkaui keperluan tertentu Persekutuan, supaya mereka boleh mengendalikan pesakit influenza A (H1N1) dengan lebih baik.

Ia dibuat hanya beberapa hari selepas Setiausaha Kesihatan, Kathleen Sebelius memberi amaran bahawa permintaan vaksin strain flu tersebut melebihi bekalan.

“Pandemik H1N1 2009 terus meningkat, kadarnya melonjak dengan cepat dalam banyak komuniti di seluruh negara dan terdapat kemungkinan pandemik tersebut membebani sumber-sumber penjagaan kesihatan di sesetengah tempat,” kata Obama.

Ketika rakyat AS menanti penghantaran vaksin, 46 daripada 50 negeri kini melaporkan penyebaran selesema babi, yang agak luar biasa awalnya, memandangkan kemuncak musim selesema yang biasa ialah pada bulan Januari atau Februari. – AFP

--- UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Symptoms Of Swine Flu

TH”s medical team equipped to handle Influenza H1N1

MEDINA Oct.19 — The Pilgrims Fund”s (Tabung Haji (TH)) medical team in the Holy Land is fully equipped to handle Influenza H1N1, said its Health Operations director, Dr. Wan Mansor Wan Hamzah.

“We are ready in terms of equipment and personnel should any of our pilgrims be infected by the disease from pilgrims of other countries,” he told the Malaysian media team covering the Haj pilgrimage this year, here today. - Bernama

--- UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Q&A: What is swine flu?

Several countries, including Mexico and the United States, have reported outbreaks of swine flu, sparking fears of what some disease experts say could become a pandemic. Here are some facts about swine flu: What is swine flu? The World Health organisation says swine influenza, or "swine flu" is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease typically found in pigs. It spreads through tiny particles in the air or by direct contact. The virus tends to infect large numbers of a given pig population, killing between one and four per cent of those affected, the WHO says. Not every animal infected displays symptoms. How do humans contract the virus? Swine flu normally only infects pigs, but the virus can cross the species barrier and infect humans, the WHO says. People can catch the virus through contact with infected pigs, though there have been limited instances of human-to-human transmission. What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans? Symptoms are similar to those of human strains of the seasonal influenza virus, including fever, cough sore throat and body aches. But the symptoms can also include severe pneumonia that can result in death, the WHO says. Where do outbreaks occur? Swine flu is considered endemic in the United States, though outbreaks in pigs have also been reported elsewhere in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and in parts of eastern Asia. How high is the risk of a pandemic? If the virus establishes efficient human-to-human transmission, it can cause a pandemic, the WHO says. Health officials say the swine flu might develop into a form easily spread among humans by combining with a human flu virus or mutate on its own into a transmissible form. But Dr Laurence Gerlis, an expert on infectious diseases, told Al Jazeera it is too early to call the outbreak a pandemic. "If you have got an epidemic that affects several countries in the world then it becomes a pandemic. "But at the moment it is a problem in Mexico and people who have travelled to Mexico have carried it elsewhere. We have to assess it on an hour-by-hour basis." Is it safe to eat pork products? Properly handled and prepared pork products are safe to eat, according to the WHO. The swine flu virus is killed when cooked at temperatures of 160 F/70 C or higher. Does a vaccine exist? There are no vaccines to protect humans from the current swine flu virus. The flu virus evolves quickly, meaning that vaccines are soon obsolete. Health officials say there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine prepared for seasonal flu will protect against swine flu. Are there any other treatments? The swine flu virus detected in Mexico and the United States appears to respond to treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). What can be done to stop the spread of the disease? Most of the cases have been detected by chance through seasonal influenza surveillance. But Dr Gerlis told Al Jazeera that "anyone travelling out of Mexico could be potentially carrying the virus and would have no symptoms at all." Health officials say maintaining good hygiene, including regular hand-washing and staying a safe distance from those infected, may help in preventing the spread of the virus.

Sumber dari : http://english. aljazeera. net/news/ americas/ 2009/04/20094261 65851276111. html

No new H1N1 deaths

No new H1N1 deaths

KUALA LUMPUR Sept.27 — No new deaths from influenza A(H1N1) were recorded for the past one week and the total so far remains at 77, said Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Ismail Merican.

He said, 45 new cases with influenza like illness (ILI) were warded in 92 hospitals nationwide while 140 were discharged, leaving the total at 761.

Laboratory tests confirmed that 14 per cent or 103 of the patients were infected with H1N1, he said in a statement today.

He said 18 per cent or 19 of the them were in the intensive care units (ICU) including two new cases while two patients were discharged today.

Dr. Mohd. Ismail said, the patients in the ICUs had risk factors — eight were children under five, obesity (four), chronic diseases (three) and chronic respiratory diseases (two).

The latest information on H1N1 infection can be obtained by calling the hotline 03-8881 0200 or 03-8881 0300 from 8am to 5pm, e-mail at cprc—h1n1@moh.gov.my and on the ministry’s website at http://www.moh.gov.my. - Bernama

--- UTUSAN MALAYSIA