H1N1 influenza has found that admissions to an intensive care unit (ICU) were associated with a longer interval between symptom onset and treatment with antivirals and with presence of an underlying medical condition. People of First Nations ethnicity were also found to be at higher risk of severe H1N1 infection compared to people of other ethnic origins. "Predicting disease and mitigating hazard in at-risk populations is an important aim of public health epidemiology, and in preparation for future waves of H1N1, determining the correlates of disease severity is incredibly important," write Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, University of Manitoba and coauthors.
The highest incidence of severe H1N1 occurred in Manitoba, where 45 residents of the province were admitted to an ICU. As of September 5, 2009, there had been 795 laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 in the province where location of treatment could be determined. Seventy-two percent (569) of patients remained in the community, 23% (181) were admitted to hospital but not the ICU and 6% (45) were admitted to the ICU. The mean age of people with H1N1 was 25.3 years old.
In this study, which included all confirmed H1N1 cases in Manitoba, the authors found that longer intervals from symptom onset to eventual treatment with antivirals (Tamiflu) were strongly associated with more severe disease necessitating admission to an intensive care unit. Those who had untreated symptoms the longest required more life support, compared to people who were treated within 48 hours.
"Of course not everyone with H1N1 symptoms requires treatment, but this finding underscores the importance of prompt medical therapy for those experiencing serious symptoms, such as shortness of breath, in patients with underlying medical conditions, and among First Nations people," states lead researcher Dr. Ryan Zarychanski.
In the study, Dr. Zarychanski and colleagues also found that First Nations ethnicity was associated with severe H1N1 disease requiring ICU admission. The proportion of First Nations people increased as the severity of disease increased; 28% of confirmed H1N1 cases in the community occurred in First Nations people, compared with 54% of hospital admissions and 60% of admissions to the ICU. Similar trends have been observed in Aboriginal communities in Australia and New Zealand. This is "consistent with historical records from the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic, during which mortality in Aboriginal communities was far higher than in non-Aboriginal communities," write the authors. While the authors note that a genetic predisposition hypothesis is interesting, Aboriginal peoples in Canada, Australia and the Torres Strait do not share common ancestry. "What they do have in common is a history of colonization, combined with historic and continuing social inequities that have led to significant health disparities," write the authors. They also suggest the increased risk for First Nations peoples may be because of substandard living conditions, low income, diet, additional health issues or lack of access to health care.
Swine Flu
Seven more peope have died of influenza A (H1N1) in India, taking the toll due to the swine flu pandemic in the country so far to 1170, an official statement said here today.
Two of the deaths, both in Gujarat, were reported during the day. Besides, reports of five deaths that occurred in recent days - three in Maharashtra and one each in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh - were conveyed by the authorities of the states concerned to the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare today.
Of the total swine flu deaths in the country so far, Maharashtra now accounts for 306, while 208 lives have been lost in Gujarat, 172 Rajasthan, 141 in Karnataka, 90 in Delhi, 52 in Andhra Pradesh, 38 in Punjab, 36 in Kerala, 33 in Haryana, 19 in Madhya Pradesh, 18 in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Uttarakhand, 8 each in Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, 7 in Tamil Nadu, 6 in Puducherry, 5 in Goa, 3 in Orissa, 2 each in Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Chhattisgarh and 1 in Mizoram.
The statement said 47 new cases of swine flu were reported from different parts of India today, including 19 in Maharashtra, 10 in Gujarat, 8 in Karnataka, 7 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 in Haryana and 1 in Madhya Pradesh.
With these, the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus reported in the country so far has gone up to 28,512, the statement added.
Two of the deaths, both in Gujarat, were reported during the day. Besides, reports of five deaths that occurred in recent days - three in Maharashtra and one each in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh - were conveyed by the authorities of the states concerned to the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare today.
Of the total swine flu deaths in the country so far, Maharashtra now accounts for 306, while 208 lives have been lost in Gujarat, 172 Rajasthan, 141 in Karnataka, 90 in Delhi, 52 in Andhra Pradesh, 38 in Punjab, 36 in Kerala, 33 in Haryana, 19 in Madhya Pradesh, 18 in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Uttarakhand, 8 each in Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, 7 in Tamil Nadu, 6 in Puducherry, 5 in Goa, 3 in Orissa, 2 each in Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Chhattisgarh and 1 in Mizoram.
The statement said 47 new cases of swine flu were reported from different parts of India today, including 19 in Maharashtra, 10 in Gujarat, 8 in Karnataka, 7 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 in Haryana and 1 in Madhya Pradesh.
With these, the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus reported in the country so far has gone up to 28,512, the statement added.
Saudi Aarabia Health Ministery requested people to avoid Haj pilgrimage
The WHO, which declared a swine flu pandemic in June, said the total number of laboratory confirmed cases worldwide is now over 318,925, but this estimate is significantly lower than the actual number of cases that have occurred, as many countries have stopped testing and reporting individual cases, particularly the milder ones.
Saudi Arabian has written to several swine flu-affected countries, including India, advising those at a high risk of catching swine flu, like children, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic ailments, to avoid Haj pilgrimage and help curb the spread of the pandemic.
"Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, recommends that elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases and children should postpone the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages this year for their own safety," the advisory from Saudi Arabia said.
According to India's health ministry, those wishing to go on the pilgrimage would be medically examined for the symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) at the point of embarkation, that is at the place where booking of pilgrims takes place in their respective states.
Saudi Arabian has written to several swine flu-affected countries, including India, advising those at a high risk of catching swine flu, like children, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic ailments, to avoid Haj pilgrimage and help curb the spread of the pandemic.
"Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, recommends that elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases and children should postpone the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages this year for their own safety," the advisory from Saudi Arabia said.
According to India's health ministry, those wishing to go on the pilgrimage would be medically examined for the symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) at the point of embarkation, that is at the place where booking of pilgrims takes place in their respective states.
India's swine flu toll raised to 290 after five more deaths
From Andhra Pradesh some more suspected Swine Flu deaths have been reported but health Authorities in New Delhi said that they are awaiting confirmation reports from laboratory.
Moreover, fresh 208 Swine Flu cases were reported all over the country taking India toll of Infected People with swine flu influenza A (H1N1) virus to 9,492. These fresh cases were reported from Delhi (66), Tamil Nadu (32), Maharashtra (32), Andhra Pradesh (24), Karnataka (18), Kerala (13) and Haryana (13).
Since the outbreak of this deadly virus known as swine flu, a total of 3,917 people have died globally. Out of these, alone 2,948 deaths occured in America. The second highest death rate that is 362 are occured in West Pacific. After that four WHO regional offices in Southeast Asia, Europe, East Mediterranean and Africa reported 340, 154, 72 and 41 deaths respectively.
CDC Urges Vaccination due to rise in Swine Flu Cases
In U.S. number of Swine Flu cases going to rise; CDC officials inspire the public for getting vaccinated against Seasonal Flu and Swine Flu.
CDC held a media briefing pn Swine Flu. There MD, Director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Annie Schuchat, said ''Unfortunately we are seeing more illness, more hospitalizations, and more deaths."
From Aug. 30 to Oct. 3, 1,784 U.S. adults and children have died from pneumonia or influenza of all types, according to the CDC.
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CDC held a media briefing pn Swine Flu. There MD, Director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Annie Schuchat, said ''Unfortunately we are seeing more illness, more hospitalizations, and more deaths."
Virtually all, she says, is due to the H1N1 virus. By this date 37 states of US has been infected due to Swine Flu virus and last week nineteen pediatric deaths were reported added Annie Schuchat,. "We are now up to 76 children having died'' this year from swine flu -- many more already, she said, than the typical toll from influenza in past years.
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