Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

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

Mexico's response to H1N1 outbreak praised by Associated Press

The Associated Press praised Mexico's response to the swine flu, or H1N1 outbreak, in a recent article.

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

SUPERVALU PHARMACIES available to administer flu shots

With an eye on convenience, cost and consumer education, SUPERVALU PHARMACIES this year has expanded its traditional flu shot offering to help ease some of the anxieties the upcoming flu season may bring.

2 Sep 2009

Corticosteroid and antiviral agent combination proves to be beneficial for treating Bell Palsy

Among patients with Bell Palsy, a facial paralysis with unknown cause, treatment with corticosteroids is associated with a reduced risk of an unsatisfactory recovery, and treatment with a combination of corticosteroids and antiviral agents may be associated with additional benefit, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously published studies, reported in the September 2 issue of JAMA.

2 Sep 2009

Linkwell concerned with misunderstanding of prevention and control measures of H1N1

Linkwell Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: LWLL), a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of healthcare-related disinfectants in China, put forward its worries about the trend of the misunderstanding concerning dealing with the spread of H1N1.

2 Sep 2009

Members of Independence Blue Cross will receive coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 vaccine

In an effort to help keep members healthy and flu-free this year, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will offer coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine when it becomes available. In addition IBC will continue to cover seasonal flu vaccine.

2 Sep 2009

Government, medical and community experts to discuss about prevention and detection of viral hepatitis

To address this public health challenge, government, medical and community experts will meet September 10-11 in Washington, D.C. to plan an improved national response to viral hepatitis. The conference "The Dawn of a New Era: Transforming our Domestic Response to Hepatitis B & C" will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and scientific poster sessions focused on enhancing the prevention and detection of viral hepatitis and improving care for people who are already living with the disease.

2 Sep 2009

NPMA warns homeowners of mosquito infestations during the fall months

As summer begins to fade, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reminds homeowners of the ongoing caution necessary when dealing with increased mosquito populations across the United States. Although the itchy welts of mosquitoes are associated with summer, these pests flourish well into the fall months and can transmit a multitude of diseases, notably West Nile virus (WNV).

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

Condoms reduce risk of herpes simplex virus 2

Condom use is associated with a reduced risk of contracting herpes simplex virus 2, according to a report based on pooled analysis of data from previous studies in the July 13 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

2 Sep 2009

TeleForum to discuss H1N1 precautions on campus

In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's expectation of increased cases of H1N1 flu as students return to school this fall, Colorado-based Broadnet is offering a unique package of its virtual town hall service, TeleForum, to colleges and universities in an effort to aid communication with parents, communities and students.

2 Sep 2009

Oncolytics Biotech obtains 32nd U.S. Patent grant

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) ("Oncolytics") today announced that it has been granted its 32nd U.S. Patent, # 7,582,289, entitled "Viruses for the Treatment of Cellular Proliferative Disorders." The patent claims cover methods of using modified parapoxvirus orf virus to treat Ras-mediated cancers.

1 Sep 2009

Advertising campaign launched to encourage Americans practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu

The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Education and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, have teamed up to launch a new, national public service advertising campaign designed to encourage American children and families to practice healthy habits and to take steps to prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The PSAs featured in this campaign can be viewed on www.flu.gov.

1 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

VBI researcher receives grant from NIGMS for developing network-based models of infectious diseases

A researcher from the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech has received a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to support ongoing work to develop high-performance computer models for the study of very large networks.

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

Also in Global Health news: Flu, cholera in PNG; improving life awards; HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; men and maternal/child health; MDR-TB in India

"Twin outbreaks of a flu-like illness and dysentery in a remote region of Papua New Guinea have killed 47 people and infected another 2,000 villagers, a senior medical official said Monday," Agence France-Presse reports. According to provincial health adviser Doctor Theo Likei, the WHO has collected and is testing samples of the virus from the "stricken villages" (8/31). Additionally, the country is experiencing a cholera outbreak - "the first time the disease has officially been confirmed in the country," the BBC reports (Mercer, 8/31).

1 Sep 2009

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Molecular pathology laboratories gear up for swift swine flu detection

Obama urges Americans to take precautions to protect themselves from H1N1

Mexico's response to H1N1 outbreak praised by Associated Press

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

SUPERVALU PHARMACIES available to administer flu shots

Corticosteroid and antiviral agent combination proves to be beneficial for treating Bell Palsy

Linkwell concerned with misunderstanding of prevention and control measures of H1N1

Members of Independence Blue Cross will receive coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 vaccine

Government, medical and community experts to discuss about prevention and detection of viral hepatitis

NPMA warns homeowners of mosquito infestations during the fall months

Single-dose H1N1 vaccine wins approval in China

Lab results shows H1N1 virus does not change into virulent superbug

Condoms reduce risk of herpes simplex virus 2

TeleForum to discuss H1N1 precautions on campus

Oncolytics Biotech obtains 32nd U.S. Patent grant

Advertising campaign launched to encourage Americans practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu

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

VBI researcher receives grant from NIGMS for developing network-based models of infectious diseases

H1N1 cases on decline in Southern Hemisphere, WHO says

Also in Global Health news: Flu, cholera in PNG; improving life awards; HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; men and maternal/child health; MDR-TB in India

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