Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Swine flu closely related to 1918 Spanish flu pandemic

In research on the swine flu virus it has been seen that the virus may seem new, but it has old relatives. An influenza virus which was pandemic in 1918 is seen to be very closely related, structurally speaking, to the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. This virus has the dubious distinction of having claimed between 40 million to 100 million lives in the flu wave of 1918.

25 Mar 2010

New study investigates effects of influenza among pregnant women

This spring, pregnant women in Bergen and Oslo will be invited to take part in the Norwegian Influenza Study (NorFlu). The aim is to find out how influenza in pregnancy affects maternal health and childhood development. NorFlu will also study any implications of vaccination during pregnancy.

25 Mar 2010

Washington State mercury-limit suspension for swine flu vaccine ends

When it comes to some diseases prevention still is better than cure and swine flu is one such disease. The sheer global panic that gripped nations last year is hard to forget. The PanvaxH1N1 vaccine is specifically manufactured to target the influenza (A) H1N1 strain known more popularly as swine flu. Getting the flu shots may be crucial in prevention of spread of the highly contagious disease. Health officials say that the H1N1 strain of flu is still circulating but at low levels.

24 Mar 2010

First reported Australian swine flu case of 2010 – gearing up with protective measures

Swine flu a form of influenza, became a major health scare assuming pandemic proportions starting in Mexico early last year. There were 37,000 confirmed cases in Australia with 5,000 hospitalizations, 700 admissions in intensive care units and 191 deaths.

23 Mar 2010

Zenyaku Kogyo receives license to Theraclone Sciences' influenza monoclonal antibody program

Theraclone Sciences, Inc., announced that Zenyaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., has exercised its option for an exclusive license in the Japan territory to Theraclone’s influenza monoclonal antibody program. The collaboration utilizes Theraclone’s I-STAR™ technology to discover broadly protective monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of pandemic influenza and severe seasonal influenza.

22 Mar 2010

Vical awarded contract to conduct Phase 1 clinical trial of Vaxfectin-formulated DNA vaccine against A/H1N1

Vical Incorporated announced today that the U.S. Navy, through the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., has awarded Vical a contract to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial of the company's Vaxfectin®-formulated DNA vaccine against A/H1N1 pandemic influenza (swine flu).

22 Mar 2010

Tricking TB into suicidal self-poisoning

Scientists have identified a new class of drug target that tricks tuberculosis bacteria into suicidal self-poisoning. New therapies are urgently required to control the tuberculosis pandemic. Even in the UK cases are on the rise.

22 Mar 2010

Swine flu risk to pregnant women uncovered in landmark study

A study to be published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) today has found 11 percent of pregnant women admitted to intensive care units (ICU) with 2009 A/H1N1 (swine flu) died, with 12 percent of babies born to them dying from complications. None of the mothers had been immunised against seasonal flu.

22 Mar 2010

Influenza pandemic policies: WHO denies being improperly influenced by pharmaceutical industry

Providing independent advice to Member States is a very important function of the World Health Organization (WHO). We take this work seriously and guard against the influence of any improper interests. The WHO influenza pandemic policies and response have not been improperly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.

20 Mar 2010

ITDS can be effective for screening fever during H1N1 influenza pandemic: UNMC researchers

Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center found an Infrared Thermal Detection System to be a fast and effective fever screening tool in clinical settings during the H1N1 influenza pandemic. The ITDS detected fever in patients through split-second, non-contact skin temperature measurements.

20 Mar 2010

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: NIAID Director issues statement

Following is a statement of Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health on National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, March 20, 2010:

19 Mar 2010

H1N1 flu pandemic awareness helps Americans to be better prepared this year: Survey

With almost half of respondents saying they believe a sneeze travels eight feet or more, one might think you would be sick all the time. But a recent national survey of 1,017 U.S. adult men and women (age 18+) conducted by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., maker of Zicam, found a majority of Americans polled surprisingly saw this cold and flu season as "about the same" (42%) or only "slightly worse" (21%) from last year, despite all the hype this past fall around H1N1.

19 Mar 2010

GSK's 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report published online

In its 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report published online today, GSK reiterated its commitment to running its business responsibly and to making the company more responsive, more flexible and more open to the expectations of society.

19 Mar 2010

Modulating body's inflammatory response may help fight serious infection

Treating virulent influenza, sepsis, and other potentially deadly infections long has focused on looking for ways to kill viruses and bacteria. But new research from the University of Utah and Utah State University shows that modulating the body's own overeager inflammatory response to infection may help save more lives.

18 Mar 2010

PPD, Southern Research Institute collaborate in pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine research

PPD and Southern Research Institute today announced they have formed a collaborative agreement in pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine research and development to provide clients a full spectrum of influenza vaccine development services by collaborating on client bids and projects.

18 Mar 2010

ICID provides online planning tools to help non-profit organizations develop pandemic flu plans

On the heels of the recent H1N1 pandemic, the International Centre for Infectious Diseases is providing online planning tools to help non-profit organizations develop pandemic flu plans. It is urging vigilance against future waves of the virus, and advises organizations to take action now to plan for events that could threaten the delivery of service to their clients.

17 Mar 2010

Meridian Bioscience revises fiscal 2010 guidance, expects net sales between $145M and $153M

Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio today announced that it is revising downward its previous sales and earnings guidance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. This action is being taken as a result of weaker than expected operating results for the second quarter ending March 31, 2010, based on preliminary results to date. Separately, Meridian announced that it will file a 510(k) for FDA marketing clearance next week in connection with its illumigene™ C. difficile product.

17 Mar 2010

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

Swine flu closely related to 1918 Spanish flu pandemic

New study investigates effects of influenza among pregnant women

Washington State mercury-limit suspension for swine flu vaccine ends

First reported Australian swine flu case of 2010 – gearing up with protective measures

Zenyaku Kogyo receives license to Theraclone Sciences' influenza monoclonal antibody program

Vical awarded contract to conduct Phase 1 clinical trial of Vaxfectin-formulated DNA vaccine against A/H1N1

Tricking TB into suicidal self-poisoning

Swine flu risk to pregnant women uncovered in landmark study

Influenza pandemic policies: WHO denies being improperly influenced by pharmaceutical industry

ITDS can be effective for screening fever during H1N1 influenza pandemic: UNMC researchers

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: NIAID Director issues statement

H1N1 flu pandemic awareness helps Americans to be better prepared this year: Survey

GSK's 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report published online

Modulating body's inflammatory response may help fight serious infection

PPD, Southern Research Institute collaborate in pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine research

ICID provides online planning tools to help non-profit organizations develop pandemic flu plans

Meridian Bioscience revises fiscal 2010 guidance, expects net sales between $145M and $153M

Renhuang Pharmaceuticals' net income for first-quarter of 2010 increases 17.8%

Simple common sense behaviors can help limit the spread of H1N1 in household: Study

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