The best way for people to protect themselves from the flu is to get vaccinated — and it’s not too late to get a shot, an infectious diseases expert says. The flu vaccine also protects those who aren’t able to get it, including infants younger than 6 months and people with certain allergies and medical conditions, said Dr. Jeffrey Kahn.
Category: Influenza
13:31 Kazakhstan confirms H5 bird flu in wild swans
Kazakhstan has confirmed an outbreak of the highly contagious H5 bird flu virus in wild swans, by the Caspian Sea, reports Aljazeera. The World Organization for Animal Health , citing a report from the Kazakh agriculture ministry, said on Friday that two swans were found dead in the coastal city of Aktau in the west of the country.
Bill Gates, Norway to invest in vaccines against epidemics
U.S. business magnate Bill Gates will invest 855 million kroner and the Norwegian government one billion kroner to develop vaccines against epidemics, newspaper Aftenposten reported Thursday. This was announced both by Gates and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg during World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday afternoon, the report said.
Maple Ridge walk-in clinics turning patients away
In the midst of a heavy influenza season, Maple Ridge walk-in clinics are being forced to close their doors and send away patients, telling them to come back the next day. There is a lack of doctors to fill the shifts, and a cap of 50 patients per day set by the B.C. Ministry of Health.
29 deaths due to flu this winter – HSE
The Health Service Executive has said that although the rate of flu infections this season has slowed, the outbreak may not yet have peaked. 29 deaths this winter have now been directly ascribed to flu.
Greece reports outbreak of H5N8 bird flu at hen farm – OIE
Jan 18 Greece reported an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N8 bird flu virus among laying hens on a farm in the southern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on Thursday, citing a report from the Greek farm ministry. The country had already reported a case of H5N8 in a swan in December but this would be the first outbreak on a farm.
Officials: Flu widespread in Ohio; hundreds hospitalized
Ohio health officials say influenza-like illness has become widespread around the state for the first time this flu season.
Don’t Touch These 5 Things This Flu Season
With flu season officially in full gear, it means that there are more germs out there than usual. It also means that people are going to be sneezing and touching things you touch, which means you can spread them to all of your things as well.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China
On 5 January 2017, the Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region notified WHO of a case of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A virus and on 9 January 2017, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified WHO of 106 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A virus. On 5 January 2017, a human case of infection with avian influenza A was reported from the Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region .
Savannahians share their cold, flu remedies
When Memorial Health-Islands practice representative Marion Ingram gets a cold, “I do Vitamin C. And of course, hot tea.” It’s cold and flu season and many people are breaking out the cough syrup and Tylenol, hot tea and their grandmother’s all-time famous remedy, chicken soup.
Researchers found that certain anti-influenza compounds also inhibit Zika virus infection
Globalization, environmental changes, population growth and urbanization make emerging virus diseases a major threat to public health. An example of such epidemics is the Zika outbreak which is ongoing in the Americas after emerging in the Pacific region.
South Dakota doctor warns of flu symptoms that need medical attention
… those are signs to come to your doctor and let us help take care of you,” Dr. Christa Few of Rapid City Regional Health said. It is never too late to get the flu shot, and doctors say the flu vaccine has been working great for those who have gotten …
The need to know on flu season
… coughs, runny noses and aches start to rear their ugly heads. According to medical professionals with Baptist Health in Paducah, while the cold and flu are both different viruses they share some symptoms. A Cold lasts for roughly a week, with a …
City releasing quarantined cats as bird flu epidemic subsides :0
The first of hundreds of cats quarantined by the city amid a bird flu outbreak were sprung from their cages on Saturday, sources told The Post. An undisclosed number of detained kitties were carted out of the Animal Care Centers facility in Long Island City after getting clean bills of health, according to the shelter sources.
CDC: widespread flu in North Carolina –
Flu-related deaths are rising in North Carolina, according to a statement issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services earlier this week.
Conscription conflicts in WWI well detailed in new book
The Conscription Conflict & the Great War Edited by Robin Archer, Joy Damousi, Murray Goot & Sean Scalmer Monash University Publishing, 2016 Paperback, $29.95. The First World War was to take the lives of eleven million soldiers on both sides, seven million civilians, and, as a further consequence, the loss of some 50-100 million lives worldwide from the Spanish Flu pandemic which began in the troop staging camps and hospitals in A A war on such a scale was not conducted without much anguish, debate, and conflict on conscription issues within the affected democracies.
Children may be offered vaccine to lower flu risk
… the Royal College of Physicians, who advise the HSE on vaccinations, is to examine the proposal. It follows moves by health authorities in Northern Ireland to routinely offer the flu vaccine to all children aged two and over since September, 2014. …
Flu virus spreading throughout Texoma
With Texoma currently in the heart of winter, many people are getting sick. And it is more than just one bug going around.
Flu level raised to widespread in Ky. –
The Kentucky Department for Public Health , within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is raising the influenza level in the state from “regional” to “widespread.” Widespread activity is the highest level of flu activity, which indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in the state.
Common viruses a deadly threat at nursing homes
… hand hygiene; use of personal protective equipment by staff; and faster respiratory viral testing. But many of the health care providers also became sick, hindering efforts to separate the sick from the healthy, the report said. “Early detection of …
Flu now widespread in North Carolina
… according to information from the Centers for Disease Control. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Region 5, which includes Watauga County and goes east to Guilford County, has the third-highest flu rate in the …
Some facts about flu and how to avoid getting it
Canada is in the midst of the flu season, with cases mounting across the country. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about influenza.
Flu cases on rise; when they will hit seasonal peak can’t be predicted: experts
The number of cases of influenza, as well as hospitalizations and deaths due to the viral respiratory illness, continue to escalate in Canada, and infectious diseases experts say there’s no telling how soon the seasonal scourge will reach its peak and begin to taper off. Figures from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s FluWatch report show there were 1,948 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in the final week of December – the latest period for which statistics are available – a jump from 1,229 a week earlier and 692 the week before.
Nation-Now 19 mins ago 12:23 p.m.Influenza: The search for a universal vaccine
… flu strains are most likely to infect the population in any given season. It requires the coordination of multiple health centers around the globe as the virus travels from region to region. Once epidemiologists settle on target flu strains, vaccine …
Flu level raised to widespread in Kentucky –
The Kentucky Department for Public Health , within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is raising the influenza level in the state from “regional” to “widespread.” Widespread activity is the highest level of flu activity, which indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in the state.
Flu death in Lake Charles, virus spikes in Louisiana
A warning this week about just how serious the flu virus can be, after the death of a patient in Lake Charles from flu complications. The death is a tragic reminder of the virus’ strength and CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital infectious disease physician, Dr. Tim Haman, says it is not something to be taken lightly.
Winnipeg Hospitals Seeing Surge as Flu Season Ramps Up
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says they’re experiencing a surge in patients with more people needing admission than some hospitals are typically equipped to handle. “However, we are not seeing huge numbers of confirmed cases from our lab yet but that does always lag behind what we see in our emergency departments,” says Lamont.
CDC Offers 10 Reasons to Get Vaccinated
… can be spread easily. 2.You may be at increased risk for complications from certain diseases if you have a chronic health condition or weakened immune system. Adults with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease and those …
Ukiah Valley Medical Center announces influenza visitor guidelines
… until you are feeling better. •Temporary flu symptom screening has been initiated for visitors to ensure the health and well-being of visitors, employees and patients. The flu virus can be particularly difficult for young children and older …
First flu-related death of 2017 in Georgia confirmed
… of six months should get a flu vaccine,” Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, said. “It is especially important for the elderly and very young to get a flu shot. And, when given to women during pregnancy, …
Wild dog, grey wolf give birth to 12 pups at Mysuru Zoo
Mysuru, Jan. 10- Here is some good news for animal-lovers. Six wild dog pups and six grey wolf pups have been delivered at the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden .
Flu season already worse than last year
… The Centers for Disease Control is reporting about 10,000 flu cases as of last week in 2016. The Louisiana State Health Department said for that week, flu-like illnesses were high for Louisiana, especially in places like New Orleans and the …
Bird flu warning for West Sussex poultry owners
… feed suppliers in the county to raise awareness of the restrictions. I must stress though that any risk to human health is extremely low.” Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 4) Register with us by …
Nine cases of bird flu confirmed at Abbotsbury Swannery
… Europe and in a number of locations across the UK. “The current H5N8 strain of bird flu is of very low risk to public health and has never transferred to humans, but the wellbeing of the swans and other birds that visit the swannery is paramount. …
Taiwan reports second H5N2 avian flu case in 2017
The H5N2 avian flu virus was confirmed at the farm, where 2,672 chicken had been slaughtered to prevent further infection, according to the island’s animal and plant health inspection authority. The farm owner was given a fine of 50,000 New Taiwan dollars for failing to report unusual deaths of chicken in a timely manner, the authority said.
Influenza cases up over the past week
Cases of influenza have been on the rise in the past week according to Gundersen Health. They say if you have not already, now is a good time to get a flu shot.
BioCryst Receives Health Canada Approval for RAPIVAB for the Treatment of Influenza
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 08, 2017 — BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of treatments for rare diseases, today announced that Health Canada has approved RAPIVAB i 1 2 , an intravenous treatment for acute, uncomplicated influenza.i 1 2 RAPIVAB is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and is also licensed for use in Japan and Taiwan as RAPIACTAi 1 2 and in Korea as PeramiFlui 1 2.i 1 2 i 1 2This RAPIVAB approval represents an important milestone for BioCryst and for our partner, Seqirus,i 1 2 said Jon P. Stonehouse, President & Chief Executive Officer .i 1 2 i 1 2We are excited that patients in Canada will soon have an I.V. option for the treatment of influenza infections.i 1 2i 1 2 RAPIVAB is being commercialized by Seqirus globally, excluding Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Israel.i 1 2 Seqirus is a … (more)
Flu shots urged
Cooler weather and shorter days mark the transition from fall to winter and it’s also a sign that flu season is here. The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County urges Floridians to prevent getting seasonal flu and spreading it to others by getting the flu vaccine.
Hospital sees bump in flu cases
… with the flu yourself, Kumar suggests wearing a face mask to help limit the spread of germs. Denton County Public Health keeps statistics on flu cases, but officials there could not be reached for comment Friday. In a statement last month, Juan …
Feathered friends return to Pennsylvania Farm Show
Poultry exhibits were canceled at last year’s farm show due to the threat of avian influenza. Pennsylvania lifted the ban earlier this year.