August 12 Flu Update
Back in the saddle again.
Three new avian cases in Togo.There is a suspected bird flu death on Bali, which would be a first.Another outbreak in Manipur, India has caused poultry farms to be sealed.Public records from the 1918 pandemic show that community control measures (ie school closings) did help to prevent deaths--if implemented soon enough after the pandemic starts.In a telling example, New York City′s early and sustained response, including isolation and quarantine and staggered business hours, resulted in the lowest excess death rate for any city on the East Coast during the time period reviewed. By contrast, Pittsburgh was well into its outbreak before implementing the interventions and experienced the highest excess death rate of any of the 43 cities.
Mississippi school officials talks about preparing for a pandemic.Effect Measure looks at a recent NIH article on a vaccine "breakthrough" and wonders in a slow business like science what purpose a press release has. India plans to test migratory birds for H5N1.USA Today profiles Sanofi's new vaccine plant in the Poconos."We assume that in a pandemic, the only vaccine available to Americans is going to be a vaccine made in America," says Bruce Gellin, director of the National Vaccine Program office in the Department of Health and Human Services. "A goal of our pandemic vaccine program is largely to ensure we have sufficient domestic capacity to meet this country's need."
Good editorial from Newfoundland on why flu deserves attention, even when the hype has died.St. Lucia has ended its poultry ban.
Vacation
We're going on our final summer trip to the Northwoods of MI. This blog will be on hiatus until August 13, 2007.
In the meantime, for updated flu news, see
Crofsblogs.
