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H1N1 influenza (swine flu) among Connecticut residents.
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Swine Flu Outbreak, Day by Day
Originally posted 5 months ago.
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ScrewDriver edited this topic 5 months ago.
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Statement to the press by WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan
11 June 2009
World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic
Dr Margaret Chan
Director-General of the World Health Organization
Ladies and gentlemen,
In late April, WHO announced the emergence of a novel influenza A virus.
This particular H1N1 strain has not circulated previously in humans. The virus is entirely new.
The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries.
This is only part of the picture. With few exceptions, countries with large numbers of cases are those with good surveillance and testing procedures in place.
Spread in several countries can no longer be traced to clearly-defined chains of human-to-human transmission. Further spread is considered inevitable.
I have conferred with leading influenza experts, virologists, and public health officials. In line with procedures set out in the International Health Regulations, I have sought guidance and advice from an Emergency Committee established for this purpose.
On the basis of available evidence, and these expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met.
I have therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.
The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic.
We are in the earliest days of the pandemic. The virus is spreading under a close and careful watch.
No previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning. The world can now reap the benefits of investments, over the last five years, in pandemic preparedness.
We have a head start. This places us in a strong position. But it also creates a demand for advice and reassurance in the midst of limited data and considerable scientific uncertainty.
Thanks to close monitoring, thorough investigations, and frank reporting from countries, we have some early snapshots depicting spread of the virus and the range of illness it can cause.
We know, too, that this early, patchy picture can change very quickly. The virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time.
Globally, we have good reason to believe that this pandemic, at least in its early days, will be of moderate severity. As we know from experience, severity can vary, depending on many factors, from one country to another.
On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.
Worldwide, the number of deaths is small. Each and every one of these deaths is tragic, and we have to brace ourselves to see more. However, we do not expect to see a sudden and dramatic jump in the number of severe or fatal infections.
We know that the novel H1N1 virus preferentially infects younger people. In nearly all areas with large and sustained outbreaks, the majority of cases have occurred in people under the age of 25 years.
In some of these countries, around 2% of cases have developed severe illness, often with very rapid progression to life-threatening pneumonia.
Most cases of severe and fatal infections have been in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
This pattern is significantly different from that seen during epidemics of seasonal influenza, when most deaths occur in frail elderly people.
Many, though not all, severe cases have occurred in people with underlying chronic conditions. Based on limited, preliminary data, conditions most frequently seen include respiratory diseases, notably asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and obesity.
At the same time, it is important to note that around one third to half of the severe and fatal infections are occurring in previously healthy young and middle-aged people.
Without question, pregnant women are at increased risk of complications. This heightened risk takes on added importance for a virus, like this one, that preferentially infects younger age groups.
Finally, and perhaps of greatest concern, we do not know how this virus will behave under conditions typically found in the developing world. To date, the vast majority of cases have been detected and investigated in comparatively well-off countries.
Let me underscore two of many reasons for this concern. First, more than 99% of maternal deaths, which are a marker of poor quality care during pregnancy and childbirth, occurs in the developing world.
Second, around 85% of the burden of chronic diseases is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries.
Although the pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems.
Ladies and gentlemen,
A characteristic feature of pandemics is their rapid spread to all parts of the world. In the previous century, this spread has typically taken around 6 to 9 months, even during times when most international travel was by ship or rail.
Countries should prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. Countries where outbreaks appear to have peaked should prepare for a second wave of infection.
Guidance on specific protective and precautionary measures has been sent to ministries of health in all countries. Countries with no or only a few cases should remain vigilant.
Countries with widespread transmission should focus on the appropriate management of patients. The testing and investigation of patients should be limited, as such measures are resource intensive and can very quickly strain capacities.
WHO has been in close dialogue with influenza vaccine manufacturers. I understand that production of vaccines for seasonal influenza will be completed soon, and that full capacity will be available to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come.
Pending the availability of vaccines, several non-pharmaceutical interventions can confer some protection.
WHO continues to recommend no restrictions on travel and no border closures.
Influenza pandemics, whether moderate or severe, are remarkable events because of the almost universal susceptibility of the world’s population to infection.
We are all in this together, and we will all get through this, together.
Thank you
Posted 5 months ago.
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June 29 2009
The state Department of Public Health today announced the state's sixth death linked to infection with swine flu, also called the novel H1N1 virus.
The New Haven County resident was between 40 and 49 years old with underlying medical conditions and died after hospitalization, the health department said.
Thus far 877 Connecticut residents have had laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu. Thirty-six people have been hospitalized, most of whom have recovered and been discharged, the health department said.
Laboratory-confirmed cases represent only a fraction of the likely number of cases in the state because many persons with mild symptoms do not seek care from a doctor or hospital but recover at home.
As of June 24, 2009 www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch.
There are 877 confirmed cases reported among Connecticut residents:
51 % are male and 49% are female
Ages range from less than 1 year to 79 years; average is 18 years
37 people have been hospitalized and 5 have died
Cases for whom town of residence is known are from the following counties: Fairfield (413), Hartford (133), Litchfield (15), Middlesex (6), New Haven (264), New London (10), Tolland (27), and Windham (5)
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been 27,717 confirmed cases in the United States, including 127 deaths. There have been 70,893 confirmed cases worldwide, including 311 deaths, the World Health Organization said.
Posted 5 months ago.
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Swine flu numbers rising in the state
Swine flu virus appears to be continuing to spread around the state at a steady pace, with more than 200 new confirmed cases reported over the past week and a near doubling in the total number of cases since the end of last month.
"It's a low simmer," said Robin Heard, nurse epidemiologist at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. "When this first reared its head, we expected it would disappear for the summer and we'd see it again in the fall, but it never stopped."
Since swine flu, also called novel H1N1 influenza, first began infecting people in late April, Connecticut has had 1,581 confirmed cases, and seven deaths, the state Department of Public Health said Wednesday. That compares to 1,364 cases a week earlier and 824 as of June 29.
NOVEL H1N1 FLU
Confirmed cases worldwide: 94,512
Confirmed cases nationally: 37,246
Confirmed cases in Connecticut: 1,581
Median age of those infected in Connecticut: 13
Counties with highest number of cases: Fairfield, 562; New Haven, 558
Cases in New London County: 30
Connecticut communities with most cases: New Haven, 169; Bridgeport, 106
New London County communities with most cases: New London, 10; Norwich, 7; Groton, 4
Patients hospitalized with H1N1 in New London County: 2
The new state numbers were released Wednesday as part of the public health department's once-a-week reporting on swine flu that began July 8, replacing more frequent updates the department had been issuing.
The report Wednesday also said that 111 state residents have been hospitalized for swine flu. It also noted that the number of confirmed cases represents only a fraction of those sickened with the virus, because most people have mild illness and recover without a doctor's care. In addition, the state lab is requiring testing of swab samples only from people who are hospitalized and from health care workers with swine flu symptoms. Private labs are also conducting some confirmation tests, but these are being done at the discretion of individual doctors, not by state requirement. The totals being reported by the state represent confirmed cases from both the state lab and private labs.
Dr. Joseph Gadbaw, chief of the Department of Medicine at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, said continued vigilance will be required to track the disease heading into the fall, and coordinate infection control efforts and distribution of a vaccine that could become available.
"That will be our focus, as far as intervention," he said.
Five U.S. companies are working under federal contract to develop a vaccine, which would first be made available to health care workers and those the World Health Organization has deemed to be at highest risk of severe illness: children, pregnant women and those who are obese or have a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.
On Monday, state epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Cartter sent a message to hospitals alerting them to a newly published study in the journal Nature that shows the H1N1 virus is "more virulent than previously thought."
"In contrast with run-of-the-mill flu viruses," Cartter said in his e-mail message, "the H1N1 virus exhibits an ability to infect cells deep in the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia and, in severe cases, death. Seasonal viruses typically infect only cells in the upper respiratory system."
The Centers for Disease Control last week asked states to prepare mass vaccination plans for the fall that would identify which groups should be given priority for vaccine.
"Evidence to date suggests that population immunity to the virus is low, particularly among the young," the CDC said.
Part of Connecticut's response thus far includes an announcement by Gov. M. Jodi Rell that the state Department of Public Health will meet with school superintends from around the state in New Haven on Wednesday "to discuss how to handle potential outbreaks of H1N1 and other illnesses this fall."
At the CDC, officials are closely monitoring the virus for any changes, to ensure that if a vaccine becomes available this fall it would be effective against the current strain, said Tom Skinner, CDC spokesman. The National Institutes of Health are planning to conduct clinical trials of the newly developed H11N1 vaccines next month, and if it is proven safe and effective, "there'll be a movement toward large-scale production," he said.
State governments and local health agencies would be responsible for executing vaccination programs for target populations.
"Certain groups we want to make sure get vaccinated first," he said. "Amongst the first to get vaccine will be students and staff in K-12 schools, children in child care, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, severely obese people and emergency service and health care workers."
Swine flu numbers rising in the state
By Judy Benson
Published on 7/16/2009 j.benson@theday.com
Originally posted 4 months ago.
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ScrewDriver edited this topic 4 months ago.
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Posted 4 months ago.
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Updated pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A information for September 30, 2009 ----
Among the 2016 Connecticut residents who have tested positive for novel H1N1:
50.79 % are female, 47.32 % are male and 1.89 % is sex unknown;
Ages range from less than 1 to 93 years (median age 14 years);
142 patients have been hospitalized for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 related illnesses.
As of September 30, 2009, there have been 10 pandemic (H1N1) 2009-associated deaths involving residents of three Connecticut counties: Hartford County 2, New Haven County 7, and New London County 1.
Patients for whom home address is known are from the following counties: Fairfield (655), Hartford (376), Litchfield (36), Middlesex (30), New Haven (708), New London (78), Tolland (54), Windham (21);
Originally posted 6 weeks ago.
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ScrewDriver edited this topic 3 weeks ago.
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Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A information for October 20, 2009:
Beginning October 14, 2009, the Department of Public Health will begin reporting laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 identified by "wave". Historically, pandemics occur in three waves. The first wave of the 2009 pandemic began in April 2009 and peaked in June 2009. The beginning of the reporting period for the second wave of the pandemic is August 30, 2009. The second wave of the pandemic is expected to peak in the fall of 2009. By reporting the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by wave, it allows you to see where we are in the pandemic wave, and how severe it is.
Laboratory-confirmed cases represent only a fraction of the likely number of cases in the state because many persons with mild symptoms do not seek care from a doctor or hospital but recover at home.
Percent of Emergency Department Visits For Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) per Week ~ By State
Originally posted 3 weeks ago.
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ScrewDriver edited this topic 3 weeks ago.
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Oct 23, 7:43 AM EDT
From the NL Day
Swine flu races through Guilford High School
GUILFORD, Conn. (AP) -- A Connecticut education official says the state has its first swine flu outbreak at a public school this year.
Education Department spokesman Thomas Murphy says the outbreak at Guilford High School is the first and most extensive one reported this year. He says Brooklyn Elementary School in Brooklyn is the only other school in the state reporting increased student absences because of swine flu-like symptoms.
No Connecticut schools have closed because of swine flu.
Guilford Superintendent of Schools Thomas Forcella says more than 300 of the high school's 1,115 students were absent Thursday, with the H1N1 virus suspected in most cases. All town schools remain open, but before- and after-school activities have been canceled.
Posted 3 weeks ago.
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