Avian Influenza and the Pandemic Threat

• H3N8 in Harbor Seals

CROSS-SPECIES AVIAN INFLUENZA AMONG MAMMALIANS - REPORT OF FATAL AVIAN INFLUENZA IN NEW ENGLAND HARBOUR SEALS
This academic article describes virological findings and pathological consequences of a strain of influenza A(H3N8) recently identified as part of the investigations of an outbreak of pneumonia among harbour seals in New England in the autumn. {European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2 Aug}

DARLING ANIMALS AND THEIR DEADLY DISEASES
News of a new "seal flu" has many fearing a repeat of the 2009 swine flu outbreak that infected more than 5.7 million in the United States before peaking as a level 5 on the WHO's 6-point pandemic alert. The H3N8 flu virus was discovered after the mysterious death of nearly 200 harbor seals off the United States' northeastern coasts. Described as "a combination we haven't seen in disease before" researchers warned that the new strain of influenza A could have severe repercussions for human health. {Foreign Policy [Passport], 1 Aug}

• Drugs Target Influenza?

INFLUENZA VIRUS REPLICATION: CATCHING THE CAP-SNATCHER
Researchers have determined the detailed three-dimensional structure of part of the flu virus' RNA polymerase, an enzyme that is crucial for influenza virus replication. The research was done on the 2009 pandemic influenza strain but it will help scientists to design innovative drugs against all the different influenza strains. {ScienceDaily, 2 Aug}

TARGET FOR POTENT FIRST-STRIKE INFLUENZA DRUGS IDENTIFIED
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have reported details of how certain drugs can precisely target and inhibit an enzyme essential for the influenza virus' replication. Since all strains of the virus require the same functioning enzyme, researchers believe their findings will yield drugs that can effectively treat new strains of {Infection Control Today, 2 Aug}

• Vaccine Potency Affected By Sleep

LACK OF SLEEP COULD WEAKEN VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS
TweetA recently released study suggests that a lack of sleep may limit the effectiveness of vaccines. The study showed that adults who had been administered a Hepatitis B vaccine were less likely to be adequately protected against the illness if … Read More » {Vaccine News Daily, 2 Aug}

IMPORTANT TO SLEEP WELL AFTER VACCINES
Vaccines are more effective if the person having the injection has a good night’s sleep. Researchers found that sleeping for more than seven hours could help the human body react more efficiently to vaccinations. However, they also suggest that a lack of sleep may actually leave the patients unprotected after discovering that some volunteers receiving a hepatitis B vaccine who had fewer than six hours... {Healthcare Today (UK), 2 Aug}

POOR SLEEP HITS POTENCY OF VACCINES
Washington, Aug 2 (IANS) A good night’s sleep is vital not only for sound health but also for vaccines to work effectively, says a new study. “With the emergence of our 24-hour lifestyle, longer working hours, and the rise in the use of technology, chronic sleep deprivation has become a way of life for [...] {Thaindian News, 2 Aug}

SLEEPING WELL MAY BE KEY TO VACCINE PROTECTION STUDY SUGGESTS
Having a good night's sleep can make vaccines more effective, a study has suggested. {The Telegraph, 2 Aug}

LACK OF SLEEP DIMINISHES VACCINE EFFICACY
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- People who slept fewer than 6 hours per night were less likely to mount antibody responses to a vaccine that may leave them unprotected, U.S. researchers say. {United Press International, 2 Aug}

SLEEP HELPS VACCINES WORK, SAYS A NEW STUDY
{GlobalPost, 2 Aug}

• 2012-2013 Influenza Vaccine Ships

FLUMIST BEGINS SHIPPING FOR 2012-2013 INFLUENZA SEASON
MedImmune, the global biologics arm of AstraZeneca, announced it began shipping FluMist® to influenza vaccine distributors throughout the United States. MedImmune expects to provide approximately 13 million doses of its trivalent FluMist for the 2012-2013 influenza season through private healthcare practices, public health departments, {Infection Control Today, 2 Aug}

FLU VACCINE MAKERS BEGIN SHIPMENTS FOR US MARKET
Over the past few weeks the three companies that make the lion's share of influenza vaccine for customers in the United States have started shipping their first doses for the 2012-13 season. {CIDRAP News, 1 Aug}

• USA: H3N2 Outbreaks in Ohio, Indiana

COMMENTARY: H3N2V CASES AT WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR - INDIANA
The commentary discusses suspect H3N2v cases at the Washington County Fair In Salem, Indiana. {Recombinomics, 3 Aug}

COMMENTARY: H3N2V CONFIRMED IN SWINE AT OHIO STATE FAIR
The commentary discusses confirmed H3N2v swine at the Ohio State Fair In Columbus, Ohio. {Recombinomics, 3 Aug}

OHIO, INDIANA REPORT 10 MORE CASES OF VARIANT H3N2
Nine people in Ohio and one in Indiana, all of whom had visited county fairs or had contact with pigs, have tested positive for variant swine-origin H3N2 influenza, health officials in the two states have announced, raising the apparent number of such flu cases reported in the past year to 28. {CIDRAP News, 2 Aug}

COMMENTARY: LAPORTE AND BUTLER COUNTY H3N2V SEQUENCES MATCH
The commentary discusses the match between H3N2v sequences from cases in LaPorte County, Indiana and Butler County, Ohio. {Recombinomics, 2 Aug}

COMMENTARY: EXPECTED H3N2V CLUSTER EXPOLSION IN JACKSON COUNTY INDIANA
The commentary discusses the expected explosion of cases in Jackson County Indiana. {Recombinomics, 2 Aug}

PRO/AH/EDR> INFLUENZA (61): USA (HI) A/(H3N2)V, PIG WORKER
Influenza — Worldwide/UnknownA Maui resident whose work involves contact with pigs contracted Hawaii's 1st confirmed case of an unusual swine flu strain that has been detected in only 6 mainland states in the past year, the state Health Department said Tuesday [31 Jul 2012]. The state Agriculture Department plans to take nasal swabs of a "couple" of pig herds on Maui looking for evidence of the H3N2v virus, said state veterinarian Dr. James Foppoli.Since August 2011, the H3N2v virus has only been found in 17 patients {ProMED-mail, 2 Aug}

INFLUENZA A (H3N2)V VIRUS IN HUMANS AND SWINE IN THE UNITED STATES – AN UPDATE
A report in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR this week describes the investigation of mild respiratory illness among swine and people at a county fair  in Indiana, USA between 8 and 14 July 2012. This is an important report as it is very clearly documents simultaneous detection of H3N2v influenza viruses in humans and swine in close contact. {European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2 Aug}

COMMENTARY: CITED H3N2V CASES AT MONROE COUNTY FAIR
The commentary discusses cited H3N2v cases at the Monroe County Fair in Indiana. {Recombinomics, 2 Aug}

INCREASE IN U.S. H3N2 ACTIVITY REPORTED
TweetNew reports from three states suggest an increase in H3N2 swine-origin influenza activity. One human case of H3N2 was confirmed in Hawaii and suspected human cases have been reported in Ohio and Indiana in connection with county fairs. In all … Read More » {Vaccine News Daily, 2 Aug}

REPORTS FROM 3 STATES SUGGEST MORE VARIANT H3N2 CASES
Reports from three states today suggested an increase in swine-origin H3N2 influenza activity, with one human case confirmed in Hawaii and suspected human cases cited in connection with county fairs in Ohio and Indiana. {CIDRAP News, 1 Aug}

COMMENTARY: H3N2V BUTLER COUNTY CLUSTER GROWS TO 41
The commentary discusses the 41 confirmed or suspect H3N2v cases at the Butler County Fair in Hamilton, Ohio. {Recombinomics, 1 Aug}

COMMENTARY: TEN CONFIRMED H3N2V CASES AT BUTLER COUNTY FAIR IN OHIO
The commentary discusses the 10 confirmed H3N2v cases at the Butler County Fair in Hamilton, Ohio. {Recombinomics, 1 Aug}

PRO/AH/EDR> INFLUENZA - USA (60): (NEW ENGLAND) H3N8, SEALS, HUMAN POTENT.
Influenza — Worldwide/UnknownA research team that analyzed the strain of H3N8 influenza virus linked to a baby seal die-off in New England last year [2011, see ProMED-mail archived reports below] found that it originated in birds and has adapted to mammals, signalling a possible threat to humans and animals alike. The study, which appeared today [31 Jul 2012] in the mBio, the online journal of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), also revealed mutations that are known to make flu viruses more transmissible and {ProMED-mail, 1 Aug}

CDC REPORTS CASES OF H3N2V INFECTION
The state of Indiana has reported the first novel influenza virus outbreak associated with a fair this season. Following reports of ill swine and humans during a fair in Indiana from July 8-14, 2012, samples were taken from swine and humans. Twelve swine were randomly sampled by Indiana state animal health officials, tested at Indiana and federal {Infection Control Today, 1 Aug}

• Australia: Influenza Outbreak

THREE DIE AFTER FLU OUTBREAK IN AUSTRALIA'S NEW SOUTH WALES
Three people have died at two separate disabled care centers in Australia's New South Wales ( NSW) after an outbreak of flu virus, local media reported on Friday. {Xinhua News Agency, 3 Aug}

THREE DIE AFTER DISABLED CARE FLU OUTBREAK
Three people have died after becoming ill with flu at two Hunter Valley disabled care facilities. {ABC News, 3 Aug}

• Viet Nam: Border Control for Bird Flu

VIETNAM TIGHTENS BORDER CONTROL DUE TO BIRD FLU FEARS
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked authorities, especially those in border provinces, to tighten inspections and control of poultry imports in an attempt to halt a bird flu epidemic. {World Poultry, 3 Aug}

PM TELLS BORDER AREAS TO WATCH OUT FOR BIRD FLU
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Tuesday asked authorities, especially those in border provinces, to tighten inspections and control of poultry imports in an attempt to stem a bird flu epidemic. {Viet Nam News, 2 Aug}

• Mexico: H7N3 Outbreaks

SENASICA DELIVERS VACCINES TO CONTROL AI OUTBREAK
MEXICO - The National Service of Health, Food Safety, and Food Quality (SENASICA) updated information on the avian influenza (AI) outbreak in Jalisco. SENASICA has inspected 358 farms, 34 are confirmed positive, 125 were negative, and 199 are awaiting lab diagnostics. The first AI vaccines have been delivered to Jalisco producers. Implementation of Zoo-sanitary Requirements Sheet (HRZ) for table and breaking eggs remains under negotiation. {ThePoultrySite, 3 Aug}

NEW H7N3 OUTBREAKS IN MEXICO AFFECT ALMOST 18,000 POULTRY
Three new H7N3 avian flu outbreaks on Mexican poultry farms have infected almost 18,000 birds and killed 3,000, according to a report filed today with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). {CIDRAP News, 2 Aug}

• India: H1N1 Death

19-YR-OLD CHEMBUR MAN FIRST TO DIE OF SWINE FLU IN CITY SINCE 2010
A 19-year-old Chembur resident and a 44-year-old nurse from Nerul succumbed to swine flu-related ailments on Wednesday, taking the total number of swine flu deaths in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to four. From January this year, 35 people have died of the H1N1 virus in the state. {Hindustan Times, 2 Aug}

INDIA DECLARES NAI FREEDOM IN ORISSA
INDIA - On 16 July 2012, the Government of India notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of notifiable avian influenza freedom in Odisha State. This is Indiaâ??s second regional declaration of NAI-freedom. {ThePoultrySite, 2 Aug}

INDIA DECLARES ORISSA BIRD FLU-FREE
INDIA - On 16 July 2012, the Government of India notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of notifiable avian influenza freedom in Odisha (Orissa) State. This is Indiaâ??s second regional declaration of freedom from bird flu. {ThePoultrySite, 2 Aug}

OTHER ARTICLES

EQUATORIAL REGIONS IN BRAZIL LESS AFFECTED BY 2009 INFLUENZA PANDEMIC: NIH STUDY
The death toll of the 2009 influenza pandemic in equatorial climates may have been much lower than originally thought, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health's Fogarty International Center. The paper, published in PLoS ONE, challenges the idea that the pandemic was deadlier in the tropics, which harbor nearly half of the world's population and which have the highest burden of infectious disease... {Medical News Today, 3 Aug}

GAO: FED AGENCIES' PANDEMIC PLANS PROGRESSING BUT STILL HAVE GAPS
Federal agencies have made steady but uneven progress in their influenza pandemic planning efforts over the last 3 years, according to a new report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). {CIDRAP News, 2 Aug}

SCIENTISTS CALL FOR A LONGER BAN ON BIRD FLU RESEARCH
A total ban on research into the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu virus should continue until it is proven to be safe, senior officials within the US Government have told scientists. {The Independent, 1 Aug}