Human Swine Influenza Outbreak Investigation - Symptoms

[Guest DC Government Worker]

Just got this forwarded to me.

 

Clinic Schedule

 

Tuesday, October 20:

3pm– 10pm

(Cardozo, Ballou)

 

 

Thursday, October 22:

3pm– 10pm

(Eliot-Hine MS, Kelly Miller MS)

 

Saturday, October 24:

6am– 12 noon (Shift 1)

(Hardy MS, Wilson HS

10am – 6pm (Shift2)

Coolidge HS, McKinley Tech)

 

Tuesday, October 27:

3pm– 10pm

(Eliot-Hine MS, Kelly Miller MS)

 

Thursday, October 29:

3pm– 10pm

(Hardy MS, Wilson HS)

 

Saturday, Octobe31

8- 12noon (Shift 1)

(Cardozo, Coolidge,

10am – 6pm

(Shift2)

McKinley Tech, Ballou)

[Guest LAW]

Fenty Administration Announces Free Vaccine Clinics for Youth, Expectant Mothers

 

Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Pierre Vigilance, MD MPH, director of the DC Department of Health (DOH) announced locations where District residents can receive a free vaccination for the H1N1 influenza based on priority categories. The District will have a clinic in each ward, beginning next week, which will be open to all youth and pregnant women in the District. Fenty also received his seasonal flu shot to remind residents that two flu vaccines are needed this year to protect themselves from the flu.

 

Our youth and expectant mothers are some of the most susceptible to H1N1,” said Mayor Fenty. “We are proud to be able to provide this important service through community health centers, primary care providers and vaccine clinics to make sure we can help prevent the spread of this new virus.”

 

The school-based vaccine clinics will serve youth ranging in age from six months to 24 years old and pregnant women. The H1N1 vaccine will be offered in both the injection and nasal spray forms at no cost. Many community health clinics and primary care providers in the District have signed up to provide the vaccine to their patients. Parents and members of the priority groups are encouraged to call their providers to see if they have the vaccine.

 

The District should eventually have enough vaccine for everyone in the District who wants it,” said Vigilance. “Residents in priority groups are strongly encouraged to seek out the vaccine to help protect themselves and the rest of the community from H1N1.”

 

Over the coming weeks, the H1N1 vaccine will be distributed to pharmacies in drugstores and groceries that have agreed to carry the vaccine. To help residents find a location, DOH will launch the Flu Shot Finder at flu.dc.gov next week to allow residents to search for the nearest location to get the seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccine. Once the priority groups have been vaccinated, DOH will have clinics for the general public to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

 

Priority Groups

Individuals considered a priority by DOH and the CDC are:

 

Health care workers and emergency medical responders,

 

Pregnant women

 

Children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years

 

People caring for infants under 6 months of age

 

People aged 25 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes

[Guest Human]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a8_2nrwYD1kM

 

At least can you post the link. This way folks aren't jumping all over the net trying to find out the information. <just a thought>

 

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Approximately 50 Emory University students who have fallen ill with swine flu have voluntarily moved into a single dorm where they can recover without infecting other students. (Sept. 2)

 

 

The White House says half the American population will get swine flu.

[Luke_Wilbur]

U.S. Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30 – October 10, 2009

 

Hospitalizations 15,696

Deaths 2,029

 

I wonder how many more will die.

Edited October 22, 2009 by Luke_Wilbur

[Luke_Wilbur]

What percentage of deaths for 2009 H1N1 flu occur in different age groups in the United States?

 

The percentage of deaths for 2009 H1N1 flu in the United States varies by age group. From August 30, 2009 through October 10, 2009, states reported 292 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 deaths to CDC. The percentage of 2009 H1N1 related deaths that occurred among people 0 years to 4 years was 3%; among those 5 years to 18 years was 14%; among people 19 to 24 years was 7%; among people 25 to 49 years was 33%; among people 50-64 years was 32%; and among people 65 years and older was 12%. For a graphical representation of this data, please see the chart below.

 

Edited October 23, 2009 by Luke_Wilbur

[Luke_Wilbur]

What percentage of deaths for 2009 H1N1 flu occur in different age groups in the United States?

 

The percentage of deaths for 2009 H1N1 flu in the United States varies by age group. From August 30, 2009 through October 10, 2009, states reported 292 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 deaths to CDC. The percentage of 2009 H1N1 related deaths that occurred among people 0 years to 4 years was 3%; among those 5 years to 18 years was 14%; among people 19 to 24 years was 7%; among people 25 to 49 years was 33%; among people 50-64 years was 32%; and among people 65 years and older was 12%. For a graphical representation of this data, please see the chart below.

 

 

 

[Luke_Wilbur]

The District of Columbia Department of Health has been working diligently to reduce the spread of H1N1 among DC residents on the job, at school and at home. This page is a resource center for information on H1N1 in the District and is updated regularly.

 

http://doh.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,1370,q,604320.asp

 

Click on the link above for Vaccine Clinics for Youth and Pregnant Women

 

Have your children watch this video.

 

H1N1 Rap by Dr. Clarke

 

 

The H1N1 Rap was written, composed, produced, and performed by John D. Clarke, MD, FAAFP. This music video is a fun, highly educational, and entertaining way to learn about prevention of the H1N1 virus.

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2009 by Luke_Wilbur

[Luke_Wilbur]

Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission

Warn Public of Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products

Offending web sites and illegal activity targeted for action

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission are alerting the

public to be wary of Internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to diagnose,

prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The agencies are also advising

operators of offending web sites that they must take prompt action to correct and/or remove

promotions of these fraudulent products or face enforcement action.

“Consumers who purchase products to treat the novel 2009 H1N1 virus that are not approved,

cleared or authorized by the FDA for the treatment or prevention of influenza risk their health

and the health of their families,” said Michael Chappell, acting FDA Associate Commissioner

for Regulatory Affairs. “In conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission, the FDA has

developed an aggressive strategy to identify, investigate, and take regulatory or criminal action

against individuals or businesses that wrongfully promote purported 2009 H1N1 influenza

products in an attempt to take advantage of the current flu public health emergency.”

Products that are offered for sale to the public with claims to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat, or

cure infections caused by the H1N1 influenza virus that have not been proven to be safe and

effective for these uses must be carefully evaluated. Many of these deceptive products are being

sold over the Internet via illegitimate web sites. The operators of these web sites take advantage

of the public’s concerns about H1N1 influenza and their desire to protect themselves and their

families. These fraudulent products come in all varieties and could include dietary supplements

or other food products, or products purporting to be drugs, devices or vaccines. Such fraudulent

products will not prevent the transmission of the virus or offer effective treatments against

infections caused by the H1N1 influenza virus.

“The last thing any consumer needs right now is to be conned by someone selling fraudulent flu

remedies,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. “The FTC will act swiftly against companies that

resort to deceptive advertising.”

Consumers are urged to contact their health care providers or legitimate medical supply services

if they have questions or concerns about medical products or personal protective equipment.

FDA, FTC Warn Public of Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products

Page 2 of 2

Consumers are also urged to visit the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web

sites for more information about this emergency, and to determine which products the FDA has

approved, cleared or authorized for use to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate or cure infections

caused by H1N1 influenza virus.

Consumers should also visit FDA's web site for tips about how to protect themselves when

buying medicines online:

http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/

The two antiviral drugs approved by the FDA for treatment and prophylaxis of the 2009 H1N1

influenza virus are Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and Relenza (zanamivir). Tamiflu and

Relenza, in addition to their approved labeling, have Emergency Use Authorizations that

describe specific authorized uses during this public health emergency.

For more information about FDA-approved antiviral drugs for influenza, see

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antivirals/influenza/default.htm.

For more information on CDC recommendations regarding use of antiviral drugs against the

current novel 2009 H1N1 influenza strain, see

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001.

For more information about personal protective equipment see

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ppe/.

At present, there are no licensed vaccines approved for this new H1N1 influenza virus.

Consumers are urged to report any suspected fraudulent products or criminal activity relating to

FDA regulated products associated with H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu), including the names of

web sites that may be offering these products for sale, to the FDA by visiting:

http://www.fda.gov/oci/flucontact.html

More Facts, Figures, and How-To Ideas

CDC and its partner agencies and organizations offer a great deal of information about hand

washing and other things you can do to stay healthy and avoid the germs that cause flu, the

common cold, and other illnesses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 Hotline: 1-800-CDC-INFO is available in English and Spanish,

24 hours a day.

 Web Site:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

The District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH)

 Phone: 311

 Web Site:

http://doh.dc.gov/

[Luke_Wilbur]

Montgomery County’s Health and Human Services currently has intranasal H1N1 vaccine (nasal spray) only.

 

They have NO injectable H1N1 flu vaccine (shots) at this time.

 

Those in target groups who CANNOT receive nasal spray should continue checking this site for information on clinics for injectable vaccine. While we have ordered injectable and nasal spray vaccine, we have not received any additional supplies at this time.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/exec/swine_flu/index.asp

[Luke_Wilbur]

An H1N1 vaccination clinic ***PROVIDING NASAL SPRAY ONLY*** will be held for all healthy Montgomery County children and young adults, including public and private school students, ages two years to 24 years, on the following date at all three locations listed below:

 

Wednesday, October 28 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Northwood High School

919 University Boulevard West

Silver Spring

Northwest High School

13501 Richter Farm Road

Germantown

Rockville High School

2100 Baltimore Road

Rockville

Children with compromised immunity or chronic health conditions cannot receive the nasal spray. Consent forms must be filled out at the clinic but sample consent forms (English/Spanish) are available here.

 

Those target groups who cannot receive nasal spray include:

 

• pregnant women,
• children with chronic illnesses,
• children between the ages of six months and two years, and
• adults ages 25-64 years who have chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Health officials recommend that everyone consider receiving an H1N1 vaccination. Clinics for Montgomery County residents NOT in the target groups will be held at a later date. Dates and locations for clinics will be posted when information is available. In addition to local health departments, retail locations and some private physicians will be receiving the H1N1 vaccine, as well.

 

Montgomery County's flu hotline 240-777-4200 is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Edited October 23, 2009 by Luke_Wilbur

[Luke_Wilbur]

Prince George's County Health Department

 

1701 McCormick Drive

Suite 200

Largo, Maryland 20774

 

General Information

Tel: (301) 883-7879

Fax: (301) 883-7896

TTY/STS: Dial 711

[Luke_Wilbur]

To find a Flu Clinic in your area, enter your zip code into the Flu Clinic Locator to the right. You will get the date, times, address, and phone number of the Clinics offering flu shots near you, as well as a map showing where the Clinic is located. The American Lung Association updates the Locator daily, so you will always get the most up-to-date Flu Clinic information.

 

The American Lung Association will keep you up to date with the latest information and news throughout the influenza season. Then, Schedule a Flu Clinic Reminder for your flu shot, using our Reminder tool.

 

Tell your friends how to find a flu clinic in their area using the Flu Clinic Locator.

 

If you are a professional looking to have your clinics listed on the Flu Clinic Locator, learn more by clicking "All About The Flu Clinic Locator" from the bar on the left.

 

 

 

Prince George’s County Health Department is offering H1N1 Influenza vaccinations to the general public by appointment only and based on the following priority groups and are subject to appointment and vaccine availability.

 

Vaccine quantities vary daily based on the amount of vaccine supplied by the State of Maryland to local health departments, and the amounts used per day.

 

 

GENERAL PUBLIC

H1N1 Flu Vaccination Appointments: Call Healthline at 1-888-561-4049

 

 

[Guest Colleen]

It just seems way out of control, who are we supposed to believe?

 

http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/health-care/1813

 

So what are the risks of the swine flu vaccines?

 

“There can be no argument that unnecessary mass injection of millions of children with a vaccine containing an adjuvant known to cause a host of debilitating autoimmune diseases is a reckless, dangerous plan,” explained Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health activist, author and strong critic of the swine flu immunization program. He proceeds to provide evidence justifying his concerns.

 

The adjuvant Mercola is referring to is based on an oil known as squalene. It is used to reduce the amount of viral antigen required in vaccines, which allows companies to produce more vaccines for less money at a faster rate.

 

But according to countless medical professionals and experts, using it in immunizations is a bad idea. It is also going to be somewhat experimental. There isn’t a single vaccine containing squalene that is approved for use in America, according to Meryl Nass, M.D., who notes that Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline will make use of it as a “novel feature of the H1N1 vaccines.”

 

Squalene is a naturally occurring oil, found in the human brain, joints, and other places. The problem, according to some experts, comes when it is administered in a vaccine. They claim that in this circumstance, the body creates antibodies to attack the oil. And it is believed by many to be responsible for the wide variety of symptoms that were called collectively "Gulf War Syndrome," a sometimes debilitating set of phenomena present in a large number of U.S. military personnel who served during the first war in Iraq.

 

“The substantial majority (95%) of overtly ill deployed GWS patients had antibodies to squalene. All (100%) GWS patients immunized for service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm who did not deploy, but had the same signs and symptoms as those who did deploy, had antibodies to squalene,” noted a Tulane Medical School study published in Experimental Molecular Pathology. “In contrast, none (0%) of the deployed Persian Gulf veterans not showing signs and symptoms of GWS have antibodies to squalene.” The study has been challenged, but it is still widely cited.

 

Another study published in the American Journal of Pathology highlighted problems with the use of the substance as well. One injection of squalene into rats led them to develop what humans know as rheumatoid arthritis, or “chronic, immune-mediated joint-specific inflammation.”

 

Another potential risk from the vaccine was highlighted by Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, the chairman of the health committee in the German parliament and the European Council. As reported in an article entitled "German health expert’s flu warning — Does virus vaccine increase risk of cancer?" in the German newspaper Bild, “the nutrient solution for the vaccine consists of cancerous cells from animals,” and according to Wodarg, "we do not know if there could be an allergic reaction.”

 

Johannes Löwer, the president of the German government’s Paul Ehrlich Institute, also warned that the side effects of the shot could be worse than the actual swine flu, according to the article.

 

Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that will also be used in the swine flu vaccine, has come under fire from a broad array of medical experts. Despite a number of studies that concluded the substance does not cause autism, there are critics of the various studies. Also critics point to widespread concern about other mercury-related complications.

 

The Food and Drug Administration actually told pharmaceutical companies to stop using the substance in early childhood vaccines. But many still contain it. And the swine flu vaccine will be no exception, though Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said that because of concerns over the preservative, there will be some vaccines available without it.

 

Critics, however, are still not satisfied. "We don't have adequate safety studies on this vaccine before we are moving forward to market," noted Lyn Redwood, the president of a non-profit organization called SafeMinds (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders) dedicated to investigating and raising awareness about the risks associated with mercury in medicinal products. "I'm really not convinced that we know for sure that the risk of the disease outweighs the risk of the vaccine, especially since this is a brand new additive that we have never used before in combination with thimerosal."

 

But thimerosal, squalene, and cancerous animal cells are far from the only concerns. Among other potentially dangerous chemicals and substances often found in influenza vaccines are formaldehyde, antibiotics, and even ethylene glycol, known as anti-freeze. Various health experts have varying opinions about the effects of all of these additives, but many doctors still warn against them.

 

Another cause for concern surfaced in the United Kingdom when the government’s Health Protection Agency sent a letter to senior neurologists warning that the new swine flu vaccine is linked to the deadly nerve disease known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), the Daily Mail reported in an article entitled "Swine flu jab link to killer nerve disease: Leaked letter reveals concern of neurologists over 25 deaths in America." The risk of contracting the paralysis-inducing illness was reportedly eight times greater in those who received the infamous government swine flu vaccine of 1976, which killed more people than the actual virus. The leaked letter warned recipients to keep an eye open for GBS and report it immediately.

 

Many vaccine opponents go much further than highlighting the potential risks, with some making unsubstantiated claims that it will be used as a tool for mass depopulation or eugenics. Some point to anecdotal evidence like comments by Obama’s science czar, who called for drastic population reduction methods in a book called Ecoscience. But what is certain is that the vaccine carries risks — a lot of them according to experts.

 

The people who seem totally convinced about the inoculations’ safety and efficacy — or who are at least downplaying the potential risks and side effects — appear to be mostly government bureaucrats or people with vested interests. Virtually every medicinal product carries some risk, and these vaccines are no different. To say otherwise is disingenuous.

 

What is important is that the population be educated about the potential complications and then decide with their families and healthcare providers what approach they would like to take, taking into consideration the risks of the vaccine and of the swine flu. It should be an individual decision without bureaucratic interference or propaganda.

[Luke_Wilbur]

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm

 

There are no adjuvants (such as squalene) in either the 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu shot used in the United States.

[Guest Human]

http://www.sltrib.com/nationworld/ci_14001106

 

Kids' swine flu shots recalled; not strong enough

By Mike Stobbe

 

The Associated Press

 

Updated: 12/15/2009 12:23:11 PM MST

 

 

Atlanta » Hundreds of thousands of swine flu shots for children have been recalled because tests indicate the vaccine doses lost some strength, government health officials said Tuesday.

 

The shots, made by Sanofi Pasteur, were distributed across the country last month and most have already been used, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 800,000 pre-filled syringes that were recalled are for young children, ages 6 months to nearly 3 years.

 

Anne Schuchat, a CDC flu expert, stressed that parents don't need to do anything or to worry if their child got one - or even two - of the recalled shots. The vaccine is safe and effective, she said.

 

The issue is the vaccine's strength. Tests done before the shots were shipped showed that the vaccines were strong enough. But tests done weeks later indicated the strength had fallen slightly below required levels.

 

The Utah Department of Health is cross checking the recalled lot numbers with the lot numbers received in Utah.

 

"We haven't been able to determine yet whether we've received any of that vaccine," said spokesman Tom Hudachko.

 

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department says it did not receive any of the recalled vaccines.

 

Why the potency dropped isn't clear. "That's the $64,000 question," said Len Lavenda, a Sanofi Pasteur spokesman.

 

Young children are supposed to get two doses, spaced about a month apart. Health

officials don't think children need to get vaccinated again, even if they got two doses from the recalled lots, said Schuchat.

 

Swine flu vaccine has been available since early October, and since then manufacturers have released about 95 million doses for distribution in the United States.

 

The recalled shots were made by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of France-based Sanofi-Aventis Group. The vaccine all tested fine when it was shipped out earlier this fall. But last week, testing of one lot showed that the potency had fallen about 12 percent below the government standard, Lavenda said.

 

The company found three other lots with diminished strength. It notified government health officials and did a voluntary recall, asking doctors to return any unused doses. The vaccine has been in high demand and the company doesn't expect to see much come back, Lavenda added.

 

Officials with the Food and Drug Administration, the CDC and the company all said they believe the strength of the recalled doses is still high enough to protect children against the virus. No potency problem has been detected in the same vaccine packaged in other types of syringes or vials, Lavenda said.

 

Experts have a theory that the problem is specific to the children's pre-filled syringes. For some reason, the antigen - the key vaccine ingredient - may be sticking to the walls of those syringes, said Dr. Jesse Goodman, the FDA's deputy commissioner for science and public health.

 

Another manufacturer, Novartis, in February recalled five lots of seasonal flu vaccine packed in pre-filled syringes under similar circumstances.

 

Sanofi Pasteur bills itself as the No. 1 manufacturer of flu vaccines in the world. It makes flu vaccine at sites in France and in Pennsylvania.

 

Swine flu was first identified in April. During the first seven months of the pandemic, it has sickened about 50 million Americans and killed about 10,000, according to CDC estimates.

 

Tribune reporter Heather May contributed to this story.