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.

New center to study mathematical modeling of drug resistance and internention to be established at HSPH

A new center that will focus on mathematical modeling of drug resistance, seasonal infectious diseases, and intervention allocation will be established at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).

4 Sep 2009

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to purchase flu products from BD

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX) announced today that it has received a significant order from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the purchase of syringes and needles, sharps collectors and alcohol swabs to be used in national flu pandemic preparedness efforts.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 3 Sep 2009

Sinovac Biotech signs marketing agreement with Boryung Pharmaceutical Company

Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Boryung Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a Korean manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, to collaborate on marketing efforts and possible vaccine supply efforts to the government of South Korea for Sinovac's H1N1 vaccine.

3 Sep 2009

Health systems, HIV/AIDS, malaria discussed at WHO Regional Committee meeting

Luis Gomes Sambo, WHO regional director for Africa, on Tuesday at the 59th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, presented a nine-point guide suggesting malaria control strategies for African countries, Agencia AngolaPress reports. Suggested approaches include updating policies and strategic plans, strengthening research and scaling up supplies of medicines (9/1).

3 Sep 2009

Preliminary lab results of SHBAN hand sanitizer solution announced

BioTech Medics, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BMCS) announces that it has received preliminary independent clinical testing of its patented SHBAN™ Hand Sanitizer Solution to demonstrate it kills the H1N1 (Swine) Influenza A virus.

3 Sep 2009

Molecular pathology laboratories gear up for swift swine flu detection

Dr. Jan Nowak, President of the Association for Molecular Pathology presented public comments today at the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee meeting.

3 Sep 2009

Obama urges Americans to take precautions to protect themselves from H1N1

After a day of meetings with senior White House officials to discuss the U.S. preparations for H1N1 (swine) flu Tuesday, President Obama urged Americans to take the proper precautions to protect themselves from infection, the Associated Press/Boston Herald reports (9/1).

3 Sep 2009

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus causes more severe disease than human seasonal influenza viruses

Preliminary findings in ferrets suggest that the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may outcompete human seasonal influenza viruses, researchers say. Tests in animals showed that levels of the 2009 H1N1 virus rose more quickly than levels of the seasonal virus strains, and the new virus caused more severe disease. In line with previous findings by other research groups, the University of Maryland researchers also observed that the novel H1N1 virus was transmitted more easily from infected to uninfected ferrets than either of the two seasonal influenza viruses.

2 Sep 2009

Health care providers can register online for H1N1 influenza vaccines

Health care providers may now pre-register online if they are interested in receiving pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines and supplies when those materials become available, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said today.

2 Sep 2009

Alpha Pro Tech to triple N-95 respirator mask production

Alpha Pro Tech, Ltd. (NYSE Amex: APT), a leading manufacturer of products designed to protect people, products and environments, including disposable protective apparel and building products, today announced that it will be tripling the average output of N-95 respirator masks that it has been producing since May, which will help accommodate Alpha Pro Tech’s current backlog and increase availability for the upcoming flu season/swine flu season.

2 Sep 2009

Single-dose H1N1 vaccine wins approval in China

The Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech Ltd. on Monday announced its H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine won the approval of a panel of experts from China's State Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press/Forbes reports. The company expects to obtain a production license later this week. According to the company, clinical trials of the H1N1 vaccine showed a single shot produced an immune response capable of protecting against H1N1 (8/31).

2 Sep 2009

Lab results shows H1N1 virus does not change into virulent superbug

A laboratory study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that some of the worst fears about a virulent H1N1 pandemic flu season may not be realized this year, but does demonstrate the heightened communicability of the virus.

2 Sep 2009

Despite financial crisis, Africa must focus on health, Rwandan President says at WHO regional meeting

Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the opening of the 59th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, urged delegates from across the continent to focus on promoting health, New Times/allAfrica.com reports (Nambi, 8/31).

2 Sep 2009

Seeplex FluA ACE subtyping test enables simultaneous detection of four major influenza A subtypes

Seegene today released a new influenza A sub-type screening test, Seeplex FluA ACE Subtyping, that enables simultaneous detection of pandemic novel influenza A (H1N1), seasonal human influenza A H1, seasonal human influenza A H3 and avian influenza A H5 in a single reaction.

1 Sep 2009

VAERS calls for reporting of GBS cases following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) are requesting neurologists to report any possible new cases of Guillain-Barr- syndrome (GBS) following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination using the CDC and U. S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

1 Sep 2009

H1N1 cases on decline in Southern Hemisphere, WHO says

The number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases are steadily declining in the Southern Hemisphere as the region's flu season comes to an end, the WHO said Friday, the Associated Press reports (Engeler, 8/29).

1 Sep 2009

ViraCor-IBT Laboratories launches new influenza and respiratory virus testing service

ViraCor-IBT Laboratories today launched a new, comprehensive influenza and respiratory virus testing service that will assist physicians in detecting a range of respiratory viruses including 2009 Influenza A H1N1, or “swine flu,” as well as other influenza subtypes and common respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

31 Aug 2009

Stanford University starts recruiting participants for swine flu vaccine clinical trial

The Stanford University School of Medicine is recruiting participants for a clinical trial to determine the safety of an experimental vaccine against the new H1N1 strain of influenza when the vaccine is combined with an immune-stimulating substance called an adjuvant. The trial will also examine whether use of the adjuvant improves the immune response to the vaccine.

31 Aug 2009

Sinovac to supply its Anflu seasonal flu vaccine to the Beijing Public Health Bureau

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (NYSE: SVA), a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, announced today that the Beijing Public Health Bureau has selected Sinovac as one of the four manufacturers to supply Anflu(R), Sinovac's seasonal influenza vaccine, for the benefit of the citizens of Beijing. The Beijing Public Health Bureau completed the bidding process for the purchase of flu vaccines and corresponding services for 2009 on August 26, 2009. The agreement will be executed after the public notice period.

28 Aug 2009

Online resource created to help parents, teachers, and school officials to cope with swine flu

Parents, teachers, and school officials are anxiously awaiting the expected return this fall of the H1N1 virus, known as Swine Flu. Declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the virus may prove a significant problem to schools and families across the country.

28 Aug 2009

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

New center to study mathematical modeling of drug resistance and internention to be established at HSPH

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to purchase flu products from BD

Sinovac Biotech signs marketing agreement with Boryung Pharmaceutical Company

Health systems, HIV/AIDS, malaria discussed at WHO Regional Committee meeting

Preliminary lab results of SHBAN hand sanitizer solution announced

Molecular pathology laboratories gear up for swift swine flu detection

Obama urges Americans to take precautions to protect themselves from H1N1

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus causes more severe disease than human seasonal influenza viruses

Health care providers can register online for H1N1 influenza vaccines

Alpha Pro Tech to triple N-95 respirator mask production

Single-dose H1N1 vaccine wins approval in China

Lab results shows H1N1 virus does not change into virulent superbug

Despite financial crisis, Africa must focus on health, Rwandan President says at WHO regional meeting

Seeplex FluA ACE subtyping test enables simultaneous detection of four major influenza A subtypes

VAERS calls for reporting of GBS cases following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination

H1N1 cases on decline in Southern Hemisphere, WHO says

ViraCor-IBT Laboratories launches new influenza and respiratory virus testing service

Stanford University starts recruiting participants for swine flu vaccine clinical trial

Sinovac to supply its Anflu seasonal flu vaccine to the Beijing Public Health Bureau

Online resource created to help parents, teachers, and school officials to cope with swine flu

Best practices - optimize qPCR processes for pathogen detection eBook

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