Topics in Clinical Biosecurity: Pandemic Influenza

Listed below are all CBN* articles on Pandemic Influenza published since 2005

• 05/11/2012. H5N1 Transmission in Ferrets: Two recent studies of genetically modified H5N1 influenza viruses in ferrets have sparked international debate about the biosecurity risks of increased mammalian droplet transmissibility. The first of the papers, summarized here, has now been published. 
• 03/02/2012. Rapid Influenza Antigen Tests: Specific But Not Sensitive: Results of meta-analysis assessing accuracy of rapid tests vs. PCR or viral culture for influenza DX indicate that rapid tests have low sensitivity, but high specificity, which makes them most useful for confirming DX in patients with flu-like symptoms. 
• 01/06/2012. Statins and Influenza: Results of a recent multistate retrospective analysis of the effect of statins on 30-day mortality of laboratory-confirmed influenza provides new evidence of the benefits of statins in reducing inflammatory changes associated with influenza. 
• 12/16/2011. Transmission of 2009 Pandemic Influenza to Healthcare Workers: A recent study reinforces the importance of droplet precautions, PPE, and other prevention measures during a flu pandemic and as standard practice for all HCWs in all healthcare settings where daily prevention of nosocomial infection is essential. 
• 12/2/2011. Does Asymptomatic H5N1 Influenza Infection Occur?: Asymptomatic H5N1 infection may be more common than thought. A new study suggests that standard methods to detect H5 antibodies are not sensitive enough; consequently, H5N1 seroprevalance may be higher and case fatality rates lower than established rates. 
• 03/18/2011. Distinguishing Bacterial Pneumonia from 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pneumonia: Distinguishing at presentation which patients with community-acquired pneumonia require antiviral treatment and droplet isolation for influenza is a difficult task made more so by the lack of a solid evidence base or prediction model for guidance. 
• 02/18/2011. Immunomodulation in 2009 H1N1: Before the 2009 pandemic, there was speculation about the potential for immunomodulation to improve the clinical course of severe influenza. However, the only evidence to support this theory was anecdotal reports on use in humans and lab-animal data. 
• 01/06/2011. Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Pandemic Influenza: In 1918-1919, passive immunotherapy (transfusions of convalescent sera) was used as a salvage therapy, reportedly with some success. Australian researchers published their study of the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) during the 2009 pandemic. 
• Are Immune Complexes Responsible for Severe Cases of 2009 H1N1 Influenza? December 17, 2010. 
• Efficacy and Safety of Peramivir. November 19, 2010. 
• An Alternative Approach to Pandemic Influenza that Clinicians Everywhere Could Use. July 23, 2010. 
• 1976 Swine Flu Vaccination and 2009 H1N1. April 30, 2010. 
• The 2009 H1N1 Experience: Conference Report. March 30, 2010. 
• Hospital Response to the 2009 Influenza Pandemic: A Survey of U.S. Hospital Epidemiologists. February 19, 2010. 
• H5N1 Remains a Pandemic Threat. February 5, 2010. 
• International Progress in Vaccine Development and Distribution. December 17, 2009 
• Will the D225G Mutation Herald More Severe Illness in 2009 H1N1 Patients? December 11, 2009. 
• Preliminary Findings: Study of the Impact of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic on Latino Migrant Farm Workers in the U.S. November 23, 2009 
• Licensure, Evaluation, and Adverse Event Monitoring of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine. November 13, 2009 
• Where Does H1N1 Influenza Information Come From? November 2, 2009 
• Antigenic Drift is Not the Sole Factor Driving Evolution of the Influenza Virus. October 30, 2009. 
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza Update: Cases, Hospitalizations, and Mortality. October 22, 2009 
• Critical Care of H1N1 Influenza A Patients. October 16, 2009. 
• Single-Dose Vaccination for the 2009 H1N1 Influenza A Virus. September 15, 2009. 
• H1N1 Dual Infections. September 4, 2009. 
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza A: Clinical Details, Antiviral Resistance, and Other Mutations. July 17, 2009. 
• High-dose Influenza Vaccination of the Elderly. July 2, 2009. 
• Healthcare Workers at Risk for H1N1 Infection. June 19, 2009. 
• A Closer Look at WHO Pandemic Declaration June 11, 2009 
• Clinical Details of 2009 H1N1 in Hospitalized Patients. May 22, 2009. 
• The Use of Antivirals for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection May 12, 2009 
• Clinical Details of 2009 H1N1 Influenza Cases Emerge. May 4, 2009. 
• Social Stigma Attached to “Swine Flu”—An FAQ for U.S. Elected Leaders and Health Officials. April 30, 2009 
• Can the Current Swine Flu Outbreak Be Contained? In A Word, No April 29, 2009 
• FDA Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs): What Are They and What Do They Mean for the Swine Flu Response? April 29, 2009 
• Its Harm and Its Remedy in Outbreaks Like Swine Flu April 29, 2009 
• Border Closures * Rapid Flu Tests * EUAs and Diagnostic Tests * Epi Update * Guidance from CDC * Guidance from WHO. April 28, 2009. 
• Why the Current Swine Flu Virus Is Not Bioterrorism April 28, 2009. 
• Border Restrictions: Not an Effective Means of Preventing the Spread of Swine Flu. April 28, 2009 
• WHO Raises Pandemic Alert Level * EU Issues Travel Advisories for United States and Mexico * Additional Cases in NYC and Other Countries * Updated Guidance from CDC. April 27, 2009. 
• CDC/DHS Press conference; WHO pandemic alert level; epidemiology update. April 26, 2009. 
• New developments; WHO pandemic alert levels; key questions. April 25, 2009. 
• Mexico cases; U.S. cases; info. CDC has confirmed; key questions. April 24, 2009. 
• Swine Flu Cases Without Swine Exposure. April 24, 2009. 
• Global Avian influenza Panzootic Continues; Some Preparedness Gains Made but Hospitals Remain Vulnerable. February 6, 2009. 
• The Role of Bacterial Pneumonia in Pandemic Influenza. September 12, 2008. 
• Utility of Antivirals During a Pandemic: Uncertainties Persist. July 30, 2008. 
• AHRQ Releases Report on Home Healthcare During a Pandemic. July 14, 2008. 
• Evolution of H7 Avian Influenza: Another Pandemic Candidate? June 6, 2008. 
• Indonesia Conducts 3-Day Drill of Pandemic Influenza National Response Plan. May 1, 2008. 
• WHO Update on Human H5N1 Infections. January 18, 2008. 
• Estimate of the Financial Effect of a Flu Pandemic on U.S. Hospitals. December 7, 2007. 
• Drug-Resistant H5N1 Influenza Viruses May Retain Fitness. November 1, 2007. 
• Recent H5N1 Developments. October 15, 2007. 
• IOM Releases Pandemic PPE Report. October 4, 2007. 
• Cytokines and H5N1: Cytokines and H5N1: Still No Clear Answers. July 30, 2007. 
• Duration of Influenza A Virus Shedding Longer than Expected. July 17, 2007. 
• Passive Immunization with Human Monoclonal Antibodies in H5N1. May 30, 2007. 
• OSHA Releases Pandemic Guidance for Healthcare Personnel. May 24, 2007. 
• CDC Issues Interim Guidance for the Use of Facemasks and Respirators in Non-Occupational Settings during an Influenza Pandemic. May 11, 2007. 
• Recent Developments in Respiratory Surge Preparedness. May 3, 2007. 
• WHO Releases Summary of Second Consult on Human H5N1 Infection. April 20, 2007. 
• Prevalence of Drug Resistant Influenza B Viruses: New Findings and Implications. April 13, 2007. 
• Surgical Masks May Provide Significant Aerosol Protection. February 15, 2007. 
• CDC Releases Interim Planning Guidance for Mitigation of Pandemic Influenza. February 7, 2007. 
• Passage of S. 3678-The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. December 20, 2006. 
• Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Infection in Humans in Turkey, 2006. November 30, 2006. 
• Emergence of a New Sublineage of Avian Influenza Viruses in Southeast Asia. November 3, 2006. 
• Might H5N1 Vaccine Cross Protection Allow for Pre -Pandemic Vaccine Stockpiling? October 4, 2006. 
• Antibiotics to Treat Pneumonia: An Overlooked Essential Element of Pandemic Preparedness. September 1, 2006. 
• New York City Addresses Crucial Issues in Planning for Pandemic Flu. August 22, 2006. 
• CDC Releases New Guidelines for H5N1 Testing. June 8, 2006. 
• Severe Pandemic Planning Assumptions. June 2, 2006. 
• Avian Influenza Update: Cluster in Sumatra; WHO Guidelines for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Avian Influenza. May 26, 2006. 
• Recommendations for Hospital Preparedness for Pandemic Influenza. May 9, 2006. 
• Recent Avian Flu News: Pay Attention to the People, Not the Cats. March 9, 2006. 
• Are You Ready for Global H5N1? February 21, 2006. 
• Update on Strategies to Develop Pandemic Influenza Vaccines. February 14, 2006. 
• A Rational Approach to Evidence-Based Allocation of Mechanical Ventilation in a Pandemic. January 27, 2006. 
• Avian Influenza Update: January 20, 2006. January 20, 2006. 
• H5N1 in Turkey. January 13, 2006. 
• Predicting the Impact of a Flu Epidemic. December 1, 2005. 
• Review of Clinical Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in Humans. October 3, 2005. 
• Avian Influenza Update. September 19, 2005. 
• Progression of H5N1. August 30, 2005. 
• H5N1 Vaccine Trial Results. August 16, 2005. 
• NVAC Priorities. August 2, 2005. 
• Oseltamivir. July 26, 2005. 
• H5N1 in Vietnam: Pandemic Threat Remains Unchanged. July 7, 2005. 
• Avian Influenza--Is a Pandemic Among Birds Under Way? June 20, 2005. 
• Ebola; Pandemic Influenza. May 31, 2005. 

                  
*Formerly The Clinicians' Biosecurity Network Report; title changed in July 2011