- Hello Jeff - I think this flu is going to get really
bad very soon. I find it a travesty that the WHO, in essence, has strong-armed
countries like the US, UK, etc to give up 10%, probably more, of our tamiflu
supplies. Also, I am sure we are giving some of our vaccine stockpile
as well, to developing countries. I would bet the farm that a good deal
of the tamiflu ends up on the black market.
-
- Meanwhile, as far as the US is concerned, we already
have a shortage of tamiflu...even before the 10% had been taken out of
the stockpile. Now, the US situation is even worse.
-
- It is a good thing that Dr. Niman will be on tonight
keeping us informed and updated. We are surely not hearing about it on
the mainstream news reports.
-
-
- Patty
-
- INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009 : UKRAINE, WHO
-
- Date: Mon 2 Nov 2009 Source: World Health Organization
(WHO), CSR, Disease Outbreak News
-
- On 28 Oct 2009, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine informed
WHO, through its Country Office in Ukraine, about an unusually high level
of activity of acute respiratory illness in the western part of the country,
associated with an increased number of hospital admissions and fatalities.
-
- On 30 Oct 2009, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine announced
the confirmation of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection by RT-PCR in 11
out of 30 samples obtained from patients presenting with acute respiratory
illness in 2 of the most affected regions. Tests were performed in 2 laboratories
in Kyiv, including the National Influenza Centre. Confirmatory tests will
be performed at one of the WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza.
-
- The situation is quickly changing with increasingly high
levels of acute respiratory illness (ARI)/influenza-like-illness (ILI)
activity being observed in Ternopil, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi
regions. The higher levels of transmission in these regions corresponds
to an increased number of hospital admissions and fatalities associated
with severe manifestations of acute respiratory illness.
-
- As of 30 Oct 2009, over 2300 individuals have been admitted
to hospital, including over 1100 children. 131 cases have required intensive
care, including 32 children. As of 31 Oct 2009, a total of 38 fatalities
associated with severe manifestations of ARI have been registered. Preliminary
epidemiological data analysis indicates that severe cases and deaths primarily
occur among previously healthy young adults aged 20-50 years. Fatal and
severe cases are reported to have sought medical attention 5 to 7 days
after onset of symptoms.
-
- International experience of the (H1N1) 2009 pandemic
to date, especially from the Southern Hemisphere, has shown that poor clinical
outcomes are associated with delays in seeking health care and limited
access to supportive care. In addition, this virus has also shown its ability
to cause rapidly progressive overwhelming lung disease, which is very difficult
to treat.
-
- Public health measures recommended by the Ministry of
Health of Ukraine across the entire country include: social distancing
(school closures and cancellation of mass gatherings); enhancement of surveillance
activities; increased respiratory hygiene; and continuation of the vaccination
campaign against seasonal influenza targeting at-risk groups.
-
- The Government of Ukraine has activated coordination
mechanisms to respond to the rapidly evolving situation, including the
harmonization of response plans across all administrative levels. In response
to the request from the minister of health of Ukraine, WHO is deploying
a multidisciplinary team of experts to assist national authorities in mitigating
the impact of the pandemic. The team comprises the following expertise:
health emergencies coordination, case management, epidemiology, laboratory
diagnostics, logistics, and media/risk communications.
-
- As per WHO's communication in May 2009, there is no rationale
for travel restrictions, because such measures will not prevent the spread
of the disease. Travellers can protect themselves and others by following
simple recommendations aimed at preventing the spread of infection such
as attention to respiratory hygiene. Individuals who are ill should delay
travel plans, and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate
medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit
the spread of many communicable diseases and not only the pandemic (H1N1)
2009 virus.
-
- http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_01/en/index.html
-
- -- communicated by ProMED-mail rapporteur Marianne Hopp
-
- This is confirmation by WHO that the outbreak of acute
respiratory illness throughout Ukraine is an extension of the global influenza
(H1N1) 2009 pandemic. So far in Ukraine, 11 of 30 patient samples have
tested positive for influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. Confirmatory
tests are in progress in another WHO Collaborating Centre. As of 30 Oct
2009, a total of 2300 people (including 1100 children) have been hospitalised,
and as of 31 Oct 2009, there have been 38 fatalities. The Ukrainian authorities
seem to have been unprepared for an outbreak on this scale, and WHO involvement
in the control of the outbreak will be considerable. No travel restrictions
are envisaged.
-
- The locations of the most affected regions can be found
using the interactive map of the regions (oblasts) of Ukraine at: http://www.infoukes.com/ukremb/mappuzzle.html.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Ukraine can be accessed at:
http://healthmap.org/admin/prolink.php. - Mod.CP]
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