Health Alerts > 11/2/09 H1N1 update

National Data Synopsis:

During week 42 (October 18-24, 2009), influenza activity increased in the U.S.

ð        All subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was above the national baseline. All 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels.

ð        The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was above the epidemic threshold.

ð        Twenty-two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Nineteen of these deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and three were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined.  A total of 114 deaths in children associated with 2009 H1N1 virus have been reported to CDC.

"Estimates of the Prevalence of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, United States, April-July 2009" (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eid_qa.htm)

Good study that estimates the true number of people infected with H1N1

“Using the model, researchers estimate that from April-July 2009 the number of people infected with 2009 H1N1 may have been up to 140 times greater than the reported number of laboratory confirmed cases. They estimate that between 1.8 million and 5.7 million cases, including 9,000 – 21,000 hospitalizations, may have occurred during the time period. This indicates that every case of 2009 H1N1 reported from April – July represents an estimated 79 total cases, and every hospitalized case reported may represent a median of 2.7 total hospitalized persons.”

Maternal vaccination against seasonal flu may benefit fetus

Full article:  http://www.pediatricsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=50146

“Infants born to mothers who were vaccinated during pregnancy had higher birth weights and less prematurity, data from three studies presented yesterday at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America indicated.

Researchers from Emory University in Atlanta identified 4,168 women who gave birth between June 2004 and September 2006, of whom 15% had been vaccinated against influenza during pregnancy.

Infants born at the peak of influenza season whose mothers had been vaccinated had a 70% overall lower chance of being born prematurely. These infants were also 70% less likely to be small for gestational age, said Saad B. Omer, MPH, PhD, an assistant professor of global health at Emory who presented the data.

In two other studies presented by Mark C. Steinhoff, MD, of Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center, data showed that infants born to women who received the influenza vaccine weighed an average of nearly half a pound more than infants born to women who had not been vaccinated. Also, 25% of the infants born to unvaccinated mothers showed serological evidence of influenza infection compared with only 10% in the vaccinated group. “

FDA authorizes use of Peramivir IV (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/EUA/pdf/peramivir_qa.pdf)

“What is Peramivir IV?

A. Peramivir IV is an intravenous (IV) neuraminidase inhibitor that has a mechanism of action

similar to the two approved neuraminidase inhibitors, Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) capsules

and for oral suspension and Relenza (zanamivir) Inhalation Powder, for oral inhalation.

Neuraminidase inhibitors work by inhibiting the neuraminidase enzyme which affects the release

of viral particles, thereby reducing the amount of virus in the body.”

  Local Data:

ð        Many schools still with increased absenteeism, but improvement

ð        PHESS data shows decrease number of alerts

ð        Three deaths from pneumonia – and one from H1N1

Words of Encouragement:  I have discontinued this segment due to a complaint. 

Questions call Deb McMahan, MD