Interesting. Notice the massive preparations the US is taking on, compared to some countries who do not have the resources or healthcare system to deal with this. Will this become a problem this winter, who knows, but definitely keep tabs on this stuff. Especially if you are working in those at risk countries. Although, it’s not like there aren’t enough things to worry about in these places, like bullets or IED’s or whatever. –Matt
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Iraq health ministry confirms 4 cases of swine flu among Iraqi students returning from US
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 1 day ago
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s health ministry says four students returning to Baghdad from the U.S. have been diagnosed with swine flu.
Ministry spokesman, Dr. Ihssan Jaafar Ahmed, said Friday that the students have been quarantined at a hospital south of Baghdad. He says eight other students are under observation.
Ahmed says the youths had just returned to Iraq from the U.S. where they were invited to study.
The health ministry says there are now 52 confirmed cases of swine flu in Iraq.
Story here.
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US plans for autumn swine flu vaccination campaign
Thu Jul 9, 2009
Vaccine to be offered in fall if needed
States need plan to close schools in worst case scenario
Hospitals need surge capacity
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor
WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) – The United States is planning for a vaccination campaign against the new H1N1 flu that could move into schools and community centers, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Thursday.
Sebelius led off a “summit” of state and territorial officials to tell them what the federal government plans to do if the new swine flu virus continues its spread. It has killed at least 429 people globally and caused the first 21st century pandemic.
U.S. officials say at least 1 million people in the United States have been infected, most with a mild to moderate case.
Although federal health officials lead an annual seasonal influenza vaccination campaign, this one is likely to be different, Sebelius said in an interview.
The new flu appears to hit older children and young adults harder, in contrast to seasonal viruses that disproportionately afflict the old.
“We are likely to have a different target population,” Sebelius said. “We will be seeking partnerships with schools potentially and other vaccination sites.”
Time will have to be spent writing consent forms so parents are not blindsided when schools ask to vaccinate their children, Sebelius said.
Time is short.
“Clearly this will drill down to states and, frankly, local health departments,” she said. “We have got to push supplies out. We have got to push antivirals out.”
No one knows if the H1N1 virus will stay mild, or if it will change slightly as it circulates, coming back in the northern hemisphere’s autumn months in a more virulent form.
SURGE CAPACITY
Hospitals must prepare their so-called surge capacity — making room to take in dozens or even hundreds of sick people at once — at a time when most hospitals are already full with day-to-day sicknesses and emergencies, Sebelius said.
Health officials already have said it is likely a vaccine against H1N1 will be offered separately from the annual seasonal flu vaccine, which is a cocktail of three different flu viruses. It is also likely to be given as two doses — another logistical complication.
“I think that part of the challenge is how to communicate effectively with folks to be prepared without scaring people to death,” Sebelius said. “It has to be a balance between complacency and preparation.”
She said HHS would start an advertising campaign to help educate people about the virus. To help stir up interest, the agency was offering a contest for the best unpaid advertisement for television and radio, called a public service announcement or PSA. “The winning PSA will receive $2,500 in cash and will appear on national television,” HHS said.
Sebelius told the summit, held at the National Institutes of Health campus outside Washington, that state and local officials also have to prepare to close schools if needed.
“Depending on the severity of the outbreak, community mitigation could involve more systematic means of social distancing, including limits on large gatherings and, if necessary and appropriate, temporary school or workplace closures,” she said in remarks prepared for the summit.
Late in April, President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion to pay for swine flu measures.
Companies already are working on an H1N1 swine flu vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said has scheduled a July 23 advisory panel meeting to discuss clinical trials of the vaccines against the H1N1 influenza virus.
Story here.
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Military planning for possible H1N1 outbreak
Story Highlights
Military wants to establish regional teams to help civilian authorities respond
Proposal awaiting final approval from Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Military could provide support such as air transport, large-scale testing
July 29, 2009
From Barbara Starr
CNN Pentagon Correspondent
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. military wants to establish regional teams of military personnel to assist civilian authorities in the event of a significant outbreak of the H1N1 virus this fall, according to Defense Department officials.
The proposal is awaiting final approval from Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The officials would not be identified because the proposal from U.S. Northern Command’s Gen. Victor Renuart has not been approved by the secretary.
The plan calls for military task forces to work in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There is no final decision on how the military effort would be manned, but one source said it would likely include personnel from all branches of the military.
It has yet to be determined how many troops would be needed and whether they would come from the active duty or the National Guard and Reserve forces.
Civilian authorities would lead any relief efforts in the event of a major outbreak, the official said. The military, as they would for a natural disaster or other significant emergency situation, could provide support and fulfill any tasks that civilian authorities could not, such as air transport or testing of large numbers of viral samples from infected patients.
As a first step, Gates is being asked to sign a so-called “execution order” that would authorize the military to begin to conduct the detailed planning to execute the proposed plan.
Orders to deploy actual forces would be reviewed later, depending on how much of a health threat the flu poses this fall, the officials said.
Find this article here.
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