Wüstenschiff

30 neue Schweinegrippe-Fälle innerhalb von 24 Stunden

Die Zahl der Schweinegrippe-Erkrankungen in der Schweiz hat sich innerhalb von 24 Stunden um 30 auf 178 Fälle erhöht. Mehr als die Hälfte der neuen Infektionen fallen auf den Kanton Wallis, wo sich am Montag mehr als ein Dutzend Schüler eines Ferienlager angesteckt hatten. mehr...

Grüsse
Alexander

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 3
Changes in reporting requirements for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection
16.07.2009 - WHO

GENEVA - As the 2009 pandemic evolves, the data needed for risk assessment, both within affected countries and at the global level, are also changing.

At this point, further spread of the pandemic, within affected countries and to new countries, is considered inevitable.

This assumption is fully backed by experience. The 2009 influenza pandemic has spread internationally with unprecedented speed. In past pandemics, influenza viruses have needed more than six months to spread as widely as the new H1N1 virus has spread in less than six weeks.

The increasing number of cases in many countries with sustained community transmission is making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for countries to try and confirm them through laboratory testing. Moreover, the counting of individual cases is now no longer essential in such countries for monitoring either the level or nature of the risk posed by the pandemic virus or to guide implementation of the most appropriate response measures.
Monitoring still needed

This pandemic has been characterized, to date, by the mildness of symptoms in the overwhelming majority of patients, who usually recover, even without medical treatment, within a week of the onset of symptoms. However, there is still an ongoing need in all countries to closely monitor unusual events, such as clusters of cases of severe or fatal pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection, clusters of respiratory illness requiring hospitalization, or unexplained or unusual clinical patterns associated with serious or fatal cases.

Other potential signals of change in the currently prevailing pattern include unexpected, unusual or notable changes in patterns of transmission. Signals to be vigilant for include spikes in rates of absenteeism from schools or workplaces, or a more severe disease pattern, as suggested by, for example, a surge in emergency department visits.

In general, indications that health services are having difficulty coping with cases mean that such systems are under stress but they may also be a signal of increasing cases or a more severe clinical picture.

A strategy that concentrates on the detection, laboratory confirmation and investigation of all cases, including those with mild illness, is extremely resource-intensive. In some countries, this strategy is absorbing most national laboratory and response capacity, leaving little capacity for the monitoring and investigation of severe cases and other exceptional events.
Regular updates on newly affected countries

For all of these reasons, WHO will no longer issue the global tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries. However, as part of continued efforts to document the global spread of the H1N1 pandemic, regular updates will be provided describing the situation in the newly affected countries. WHO will continue to request that these countries report the first confirmed cases and, as far as feasible, provide weekly aggregated case numbers and descriptive epidemiology of the early cases.

For countries already experiencing community-wide transmission, the focus of surveillance activities will shift to reporting against the established indicators for the monitoring of seasonal influenza activity. Those countries are no longer required to submit regular reports of individual laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths to WHO.

Monitoring the virological characteristics of the pandemic virus will be important throughout the pandemic and some countries have well-established laboratory-based surveillance systems in place already for seasonal influenza virus monitoring. Even in countries with limited laboratory capacity, WHO recommends that the initial virological assessment is followed by the testing of at least 10 samples per week in order to confirm that disease activity is due to the pandemic virus and to monitor changes in the virus that may be important for case management and vaccine development.

Updated WHO guidelines for global surveillance reflect in greater detail these recommended changes, in line with reporting requirements set out in the International Health Regulations.

H1N1: Opfer werden nicht mehr gezählt

Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) wird künftig keine Zahlen über Todesopfer und Infizierte mit der Schweinegrippe mehr veröffentlichen. mehr...

Grüsse
Alexander

Erstes Schweinegrippe-Todesopfer in Ägypten

Kairo - In Ägypten ist nach Regierungsangaben eine junge Frau an den Folgen der Schweinegrippe gestorben. Die 28-Jährige ist das erste Todesopfer in dem arabischen Land. Sie habe unter anderem unter Herzproblemen gelitten, die ihren Zustand möglicherweise verschlimmerten, teilte das Gesundheitsministerium in Kairo mit. Die Patientin starb demnach am Sonntag, drei Tage nach ihrer Rückkehr von einer Pilgerreise nach Mekka.

Quelle: Net Tribune

Verbreitung der Schweinegrippe
Drastischer Anstieg der Fälle in Deutschland
22.07.2009 - tagesschau

Die Zahl der Menschen mit Schweinegrippe in Deutschland steigt drastisch an. Wie das Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI) in Berlin mitteilte, waren am Dienstag, 15 Uhr, 1818 Fälle der neuen Grippe in Deutschland gemeldet. Genau 24 Stunden vorher waren es 1555 Fälle gewesen. Der Anstieg von 263 entspricht einer Zunahme um rund 17 Prozent. Vor einer Woche waren erst 834 Fälle gemeldet gewesen ... mehr

Gruß
Birgitt

Aktuelles - Influenza A H1N1 ("Schweinegrippe")
22.07.2009

In letzter Zeit gibt es vermehrt Berichte von Schwierigkeiten bei der Einreise nach Bulgarien, insbesondere bei Überlandreisen in die Türkei. Laut Aussagen von verschiedenen Reisenden wurden an einigen bulgarischen Grenzübergängen eine Blutabnahme und Laboruntersuchung auf die neue Influenza verlangt. Die Kosten dafür sollen an der bulgarischen Grenze €150 betragen. Zudem entstehen durch diese Vorgehensweise Wartezeiten für den Grenzübertritt von mehreren Stunden. Das bulgarische Gesundheitsministerium bestätigte in einer Pressemitteilung, dass bei der Einreise nach Bulgarien keinerlei Dokumente über Gesundheitszustand, Immunisierung oder andere Angaben dieser Art, z.B. hinsichtlich einer eventuellen Grippe-Infektion, erforderlich sind! Sollten derartige Dokumente an der Grenze verlangt werden, bittet das Ministerium die Polizei, zu informieren. / Quelle: crm

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 4
Preliminary information important for understanding the evolving situation
24.07.2009 - WHO

GENEVA - The number of human cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is still increasing substantially in many countries, even in countries that have already been affected for some time.

Our understanding of the disease continues to evolve as new countries become affected, as community-level spread extends in already affected countries, and as information is shared globally. Many countries with widespread community transmission have moved to testing only samples of ill persons and have shifted surveillance efforts to monitoring and reporting of trends. This shift has been recommended by WHO, because as the pandemic progresses, monitoring trends in disease activity can be done better by following trends in illness cases rather than trying to test all ill persons, which can severely stress national resources. It remains a top priority to determine which groups of people are at highest risk of serious disease so steps to best to protect them can be taken.

In addition to surveillance information, WHO is relying on the results of special research and clinical studies and other data provided by countries directly through frequent expert teleconferences on clinical, virological and epidemiological aspects of the pandemic, to gain a global overview of the evolving situation.

Average age of cases increasing

In most countries the majority of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases are still occurring in younger people, with the median age reported to be 12 to 17 years (based on data from Canada, Chile, Japan, UK and the United States of America). Some reports suggest that persons requiring hospitalization and patients with fatal illness may be slightly older.

As the disease expands broadly into communities, the average age of the cases is appearing to increase slightly. This may reflect the situation in many countries where the earliest cases often occurred as school outbreaks but later cases were occurring in the community. Some of the pandemic disease patterns differ from seasonal influenza, where fatal disease occurs most often in the elderly (>65 years old). However, the full picture of the pandemic's epidemiology is not yet fully clear because in many countries, seasonal influenza viruses and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 viruses are both circulating and the pandemic remains relatively early in its development.

Although the risk factors for serious pandemic disease are not know definitively, risk factors such as existing cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and cancer currently are considered risk factors for serious pandemic (H1N1) 2009 disease. Asthma and other forms of respiratory disease have been consistently reported as underlying conditions associated with an augmented risk of severe pandemic disease in several countries.

A recent report suggests obesity may be another risk factor for severe disease. Similarly, there is accumulating evidence suggesting pregnant women are at higher risk for more severe disease. A few preliminary reports also suggest increased risk of severe disease may be elevated in some minority populations, but the potential contributions of cultural, economic and social risk factors are not clear.

Vaccine situation

The development of new candidate vaccine viruses by the WHO network is continuing to improve yields (currently 25% to 50 % of the normal yields for seasonal influenza for some manufacturers). WHO will be able to revise its estimate of pandemic vaccine supply once it has the new yield information. Other important information will also be provided by results of ongoing and soon-to be-initiated vaccine clinical trials. These trials will give a better idea of the number of doses required for a person to be immunized, as well as of the quantity on active principle (antigen) needed in each vaccine dose.

Manufacturers are expected to have vaccines for use around September. A number of companies are working on the pandemic vaccine production and have different timelines.

Aktuelles - Influenza A H1N1 ("Schweinegrippe")
27.07.2009

Die bulgarische Regierung hat mittlerweile mehrfach erklärt, dass bei der Einreise nach Bulgarien keinerlei Dokumente über Gesundheitszustand, Immunisierung oder andere Angaben dieser Art, beispielsweise hinsichtlich einer eventuellen Grippe-Infektion, erforderlich sind! Sollten derartige Dokumente an der Grenze verlangt werden, bittet die Regierung, die Polizei zu informieren. / Quelle: crm


Siehe dazu auch Pegatus Posting hier


Gruß
Birgitt

Schweinegrippe – Was Reisende wissen müssen

Immer schneller breitet sich die Schweinegrippe auch in Deutschland aus. Nach Angaben der Weltgesundheitsorganisation kann man zwar reisen wie bisher, einige Regeln sollten aber befolgt werden. WELT ONLINE hat zusammengestellt, worauf sich Urlauber einstellen müssen. mehr...

Grüsse
Alexander

Robert Koch-Institut warnt vor gezielter Ansteckung
Schweinegrippenpartys "keine gute Idee"
27.07.2009 - tagesschau

Das Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) hat ausdrücklich vor sogenannten Schweinegrippenpartys gewarnt, bei denen eine gezielte Ansteckung angestrebt wird, um eine Immunität herbeizuführen. Vor allem Jugendliche träfen sich zu solchen Partys, um durch den noch milden Krankheitsverlauf einem stärkeren Verlauf zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt vorzubeugen ... mehr



Schweinegrippenpartys wie verrückt wird das Volk eigentlich noch ???

Gruß
Birgitt

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 59
27.07.2009 - WHO

Stand 27.07.2009 - 09:00 Uhr - werden offiziell 134.503 Fälle mit Influenza A(H1N1) Infektionen gemeldet, darunter 816 Todesfälle ... mehr mit Tabelle

Entschädigungsforderungen an die Länder
Schweinegrippe-Quarantäne mit finanziellen Folgen
29.07.2009 - tagesschau

Auf die Bundesländer kommen infolge der Schweinegrippe möglicherweise hohe Entschädigungsforderungen zu. Wer nach Kontakt mit infizierten Patienten unter Quarantäne gestellt wird und selbst nicht erkrankt, hat Anspruch auf Ausgleichszahlungen für das entgangene Einkommen. Wieviel Geld die Behörden in diesen Fällen zahlen müssen, regelt das Infektionsschutzgesetz. Bei Bundesländern gingen bereits Dutzende Anträge auf Entschädigungszahlungen ein. Diese Zahl könnte aber deutlich steigen, da sich die Schweinegrippe in Deutschland seit Tagen rasch ausbreitet ... mehr

Gruß
Birgitt

Pandemic influenza in pregnant women
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 5
31.07.2009 - WHO

GENEVA -- Research conducted in the USA and published 29 July in The Lancet [1] has drawn attention to an increased risk of severe or fatal illness in pregnant women when infected with the H1N1 pandemic virus.

Several other countries experiencing widespread transmission of the pandemic virus have similarly reported an increased risk in pregnant women, particularly during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. An increased risk of fetal death or spontaneous abortions in infected women has also been reported.

Increased risk for pregnant women

Evidence from previous pandemics further supports the conclusion that pregnant women are at heightened risk.

While pregnant women are also at increased risk during epidemics of seasonal influenza, the risk takes on added importance in the current pandemic, which continues to affect a younger age group than that seen during seasonal epidemics.

WHO strongly recommends that, in areas where infection with the H1N1 virus is widespread, pregnant women, and the clinicians treating them, be alert to symptoms of influenza-like illness.

WHO recommendations for treatment

Treatment with the antiviral drug oseltamivir should be administered as soon as possible after symptom onset. As the benefits of oseltamivir are greatest when administered within 48 hours after symptom onset, clinicians should initiate treatment immediately and not wait for the results of laboratory tests.

While treatment within 48 hours of symptom onset brings the greatest benefits, later initiation of treatment may also be beneficial. Clinical benefits associated with oseltamivir treatment include a reduced risk of pneumonia (one of the most frequently reported causes of death in infected people) and a reduced need for hospitalization.

WHO has further recommended that, when pandemic vaccines become available, health authorities should consider making pregnant women a priority group for immunization.

Danger signs in all patients

Worldwide, the majority of patients infected with the pandemic virus continue to experience mild symptoms and recover fully within a week, even in the absence of any medical treatment. Monitoring of viruses from multiple outbreaks has detected no evidence of change in the ability of the virus to spread or to cause severe illness.

In addition to the enhanced risk documented in pregnant women, groups at increased risk of severe or fatal illness include people with underlying medical conditions, most notably chronic lung disease (including asthma), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression. Some preliminary studies suggest that obesity, and especially extreme obesity, may be a risk factor for more severe disease.

Within this largely reassuring picture, a small number of otherwise healthy people, usually under the age of 50 years, experience very rapid progression to severe and often fatal illness, characterized by severe pneumonia that destroys the lung tissue, and the failure of multiple organs. No factors that can predict this pattern of severe disease have yet been identified, though studies are under way.

Clinicians, patients, and those providing home-based care need to be alert to danger signs that can signal progression to more severe disease. As progression can be very rapid, medical attention should be sought when any of the following danger signs appear in a person with confirmed or suspected H1N1 infection:

* shortness of breath, either during physical activity or while resting
* difficulty in breathing
* turning blue
* bloody or coloured sputum
* chest pain
* altered mental status
* high fever that persists beyond 3 days
* low blood pressure.

In children, danger signs include fast or difficult breathing, lack of alertness, difficulty in waking up, and little or no desire to play.

________________________________

[1] Jamiesan DG et al. H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection during pregnancy in the USA. Lancet 2009; published online July 29, 2009

KRITIK AN SCHWEINEGRIPPE-IMPFUNG
"Großversuch an der deutschen Bevölkerung"
01.08.2009 - Spiegel

Die Zahl der Schweinegrippe-Infizierten in Deutschland steigt schnell, deshalb sollen im Herbst 22,5 Millionen Menschen geimpft werden. Doch Mediziner warnen vor heftigen Nebenwirkungen - die nach SPIEGEL-Informationen bis zu 250.000 Menschen betreffen könnten ... mehr

Gruß
Birgitt

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 60
31.07.2009 - WHO

Stand 31.07.2009 werden offiziell 162.380 Fälle mit Influenza A(H1N1) Infektionen gemeldet, darunter 1.154 Todesfälle ... mehr mit Tabelle