RVFV is caused by a HFV spread by mosquitoes. RVFV is endemic in South Africa, where World Cup was hosted. With extensive travel occurring between SA and the U.S., a reappraisal of the risk of this disease in the U.S. is warranted.
When vaccines and antiviral agents are not available, clinicians need a viable alternative; they should demand that research to determine whether generic immunomodulatory agents might be useful in managing seasonal influenza and the next pandemic.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, has steadily resurged and, in a few cases, has been deadly. Most recently, the California Department of Public Health declared a pertussis epidemic on June 23, 2010.
Based on systematic review by researchers from U Penn, clinical evidence does not affect survival and therefore does not support use of EMCO in adult patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to infection with H1N1 influenza.
Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:35:28 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/06Jun_2010/cbnreport_06112010.html
Summary of Cassone and Rappuoli review of universal vaccines in April 2010 issue of mBio. The authors assert the importance of universal vaccines for control of infectious diseases and call for further development.
Fri, 28 May 2010 14:14:36 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/05May_2010/cbnreport_05282010.html
Hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infections are a growing problem. Infected patients shed spores that can be left on surfaces, but a recent study in Clinical Infectious Diseases demonstrates that the spores may also be spread through the air.
Fri, 14 May 2010 13:54:13 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/05May_2010/cbnreport_05142010.html
It is well established that the 2009 H1N1 virus affected younger people disproportionally and that older people are more likely to have immunity to the virus. There are several possible reasons; one appears to be the 1976 swine flu vaccination campaign.
A new analysis of environmental decontamination recently published by Franco and Bouri in the journal Biosecurity and Bioterrorism identifies gaps in federal decontamination policy and technical practice.
On March 5, 2010, the Center convened a conference in Washington, DC, to review the most significant lessons learned from the response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and to consider policy implications for future infectious disease emergencies.
Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:47:56 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/03Mar_2010/cbnreport_03302010.html
An epidemic of dengue fever was declared 1/26/2010 in Puerto Rico after 210 cases were recorded during the month--triple the number of cases in Jan. 2007. Of the cases reported, only 3 were of the hemorrhagic variety. No fatalities have been reported.
Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:28:28 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/03Mar_2010/cbnreport_03222010.html
The Center’s new report, The Next Challenge in Healthcare Preparedness: Catastrophic Health Events, proposes key elements of a national strategy for healthcare preparedness and response.
Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:52:05 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/03Mar_2010/cbnreport_03052010.html
The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to recommend that the entire U.S. population receive annual influenza vaccination, with the exception of children under 6 months of age.
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:26:04 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/03Mar_2010/cbnreport_03032010.html
Hospital Response to 2009 Flu Pandemic: Authors of a recent study report results of survey of hospital epidemiologists�overall, hospitals were prepared, but other activities suffered; antiviral shortages common; sustained airborne precautions not favored.
Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:10:54 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/02Feb_2010/cbnreport_02192010.html
The world�s attention has been focused on the H1N1 pandemic, which has been less severe than feared; however, the original threat of an H5N1 influenza pandemic remains, even while overshadowed by the actual 2009 pandemic.
Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:08:57 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/02Feb_2010/cbnreport_02052010.html
Bacillus anthracis, a ubiquitous but deadly pathogen found in soil, has been primarily an occupational disease, with some exceptions. Recent cases of anthrax, some fatal, in Scotland and Germany highlight a new risk--recreational heroin use.
Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:49:15 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/01Jan_2010/cbnreport_01222010.html
On December 26, 2009, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced that a female member of a drumming group was diagnosed with gastrointestinal anthrax, presumably contracted at an event held on December 4.
Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:14:40 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2010/01Jan_2010/cbnreport_01082010.html
To date, the H1N1 influenza A pandemic has been one of the mildest on record. Nonetheless, scientists have been looking for evidence of a mutation that might cause the virus to become more lethal; recently, a mutation was found in a few isolates.
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:42:36 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/12_December_2009/cbnreport_12112009.html
Evolution of seasonal flu A viruses has long been attributed solely to antigenic drift; however, a new study by a team of researchers from the NIH demonstrates that the process is more complex than previously thought.
Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:23:13 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/10_October_2009/cbnreport_10302009.html
This overview of the current status of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in the U.S. describes the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of individuals infected with 2009 H1N1 influenza. Information is current as of October 21, 2009.
Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:26:26 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/h1n1/issue_briefs/2009-10-22-H1N1-update_cases.html
Reports now emerging from the Southern Hemisphere, and a few other areas, are beginning to paint a clearer picture of both the clinical manifestation of severe H1N1 influenza disease and actual utilization of critical care resources.
Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:45:45 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/10_October_2009/cbnreport_10162009.html
Several research reports detailing aspects of infection with the pandemic strain of influenza have recently been released. These reports describing clinically relevant aspects of cases are useful for day-to-day management of pandemic influenza.
Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:09:24 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/10_October_2009/cbnreport_10142009.html
On September 24, 2009, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Committee on Guidance for Establishing Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations released Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations: A Letter Report.
Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:38:52 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/10_October_2009/cbnreport_10022009.html
Two studies published ahead of print in the New England Journal of Medicine provide evidence that a single dose of vaccine may be sufficient for the 2009 H1N1 influenza A.
As the world is currently in the midst of a WHO stage VI pandemic with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, it remains a possibility that this virus could reassort with other flu strains--most notably, the WHO stage III pandemic H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Antiviral therapy against influenza always has been plagued by the development of resistance. Unfortunately, as medical mngmnt of flu relies increasingly on antiviral therapy, resistance will become more commonplace, and may render some drugs obsolete.
Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:12:42 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/08_August_2009/cbnreport_08142009
A new H3N2 variant has emerged that may be poorly matched to the 2009 seasonal flu vaccine. This could pose a risk to the elderly and to those who have been vaccinated against the pandemic strain.
Several scientific papers have been published recently that elucidate both the spectrum of illness caused by the 2009 H1N1 influenza (A) virus and its ability to evade antiviral drugs.
There have been cases of the 2009 H1N1 influenza (A) virus among healthcare workers, as detailed in the June 19, 2009 MMWR. It appears that all could have been prevented had standard infection control measures been taken.
However, the pandemic potential of the H7 viruses cannot be overlooked. While they are not nearly as lethal as H5N1, a pandemic need not cause mass lethality to have a significant impact around the globe.
Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:48:59 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/06_June_2009/cbnreport_06052009.html
Based on interviews with 133 individuals involved with disaster preparedness in hospitals across the U.S., we found that hospitals are significantly better prepared now than in 2001; much of the improvement is attributable to the HPP.
Fri, 08 May 2009 16:36:45 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/05_May_2009/cbnreport_05082009.html
On 4/21/2009, the CDC described 2 cases of swine flu A (H1N1) infection in Southern CA in April. While both patients recovered uneventfully, the isolated viruses harbor novel genetic characteristics not seen in the U.S. prior to this event.
The Journal of Infectious Disease has just published 2 papers by teams of researchers describing separate, severe outbreaks of Adenovirus 14 (Ad14), a historically rare serotype of adenovirus that has not been known to cause severe disease.
A new study finds that antiviral therapy can reduce cardiovascular complications following influenza infection in patients with previous cardiac disease.
New JAMA study from Japanese researchers testing LC16m8, tissue-cultured 3rd gen smallpox vaccine. Overall, the vaccine displayed high levels of vaccine take in primary vaccinees and provoked an effective booster response in some revaccinees.
Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:31:31 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/03_March_2009/cbnreport_03202009.html
Two teams of researchers recently and simultaneously reported discovery and development of antibodies generated against invariate regions of the influenza virus.
Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:10:52 GMThttp://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2009/03_March_2009/cbnreport_03062009
