NOTE: As of 21 February 2010, worldwide more than 213 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 16226 deaths as reported by WHO (the World Health Organization).

28 February »Hyping H1N1: Did It Create a Dangerous Flu Fatigue?
AOL News
27) — With the World Health Organization warning yet again this week that the H1N1 virus has yet to reach its peak, a flu season that’s milder than average …

27 February »Findings confirm H1N1 flu’s toll on pregnant women
Reuters
To investigate the effects of the H1N1 influenza A strain in pregnancy, the researchers looked at 43 pregnant women with lab-confirmed H1N1 admitted to six …

26 February »What H1N1 taught us
Los Angeles Times
The H5N1 bird flu never evolved the ability to transmit effectively from person to person. But swine flus seem to adapt more quickly to human beings, …

25 February »Children and obese hard hit by swine flu: experts
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – People who were morbidly obese and school-aged children were much more likely to become seriously ill or to die from H1N1 swine flu, …

24 February » H1N1 flu can attack the heart
San Diego Union Tribune
About 63 million Americans have been infected with the disease, also called H1N1 influenza A, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh said this week. …

23 February » Swine flu wanes, but experts say pandemic strain could reemerge
Washington Post
For seasonal flu strains, the R0 is about 1.2, and for pandemic strains it is rarely higher than 2. For the novel H1N1 strain (also known as swine flu), …

22 February »Epidemiologists Explore Dynamics of Mexico’s H1N1 Pandemic
Science Daily (press release)
21, 2010) — Influenza surveillance mechanisms in Mexico were adequate during the fast-spreading H1N1 outbreak in 2009, yet Mexico did not have the …

21 February »European Regulator Recommends Fifth Swine Flu Vaccine
MedIndia
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) on Friday recommended a swine flu pandemic vaccine produced by French pharmaceutical group Sanofi-Aventis for European …

20 February »Severely Ill Patients With H1N1 Do Not Require Higher Tamiflu Doses
Medscape
February 19, 2010 — Patients who are gravely ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza do not need a higher dose of oseltamivir (Tamiflu, Roche Laboratories), …

19 February »WHO: Add swine flu to regular flu vaccine
The Associated Press
LONDON — The World Health Organization is recommending that swine flu be added to regular flu vaccines next season. The swine flu pandemic virus, or H1N1, …

18 February »Seasonal flu yet to come; precautions encouraged
Homer News
BY MICHAEL ARMSTRONG The death last week of Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Director Terry Shepherd from complications of the H1N1 flu does not show a …

17 February » H1N1′s Unintended Effect: Sanitizer High
CBS News
A Senate committee heard last June that federal health officials discussed whether to send hand sanitizer to some remote First Nations battling the H1N1 flu …

16 February »Fighting pandemics like swine flu in digital age
The Associated Press
The new strain of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, claimed more than 11000 lives and required the hospitalization of some 250000 people, …

15 February »Still haven’t got your swine flu shot? There’s plenty left
San Jose Mercury News
Now, medical providers and pharmacies can’t seem to get rid of their stockpile of the once-coveted swine flu vaccine. And with the pandemic all but over, …

14 February »Number of swine flu cases in the US reaches 57 million
Los Angeles Times
… cases since the last estimate was released in December, a modest gain that correlates with other data suggesting the swine flu pandemic has been waning. …

13 February » H1N1 virus’ death toll as high as 17000, CDC estimates
CNN
Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) — The H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, may have killed as many as 17000 Americans, according to new estimates by the Centers for …

12 February »A mother’s story: My daughter died from H1N1
WDBJ7.com
“H1N1 never crossed my mind until I got her death certificate,” said Cooper. Veronica took her daughter to Rockbridge Pediatrics in Lexington where she …

11 February » Swine Flu vaccination: voluntary system works
EurekAlert (press release)
… social groups makes voluntary vaccination programs for epidemics such as Swine Flu, SARS or Bird Flu a surprisingly effective method of disease control. …

10 February » Risky medicine, wife’s prayers rescue Camas father from swine flu
kgw.com
A severe case of the H1N1 swine flu virus nearly killed a Camas father of five. Tom Trautman came down with flu-like symptoms last November. …

09 February » Roche licenses new flu-fighting technology
Reuters
VX) Genentech unit has licensed an experimental new technology that uses antibodies to fight influenza, including H1N1 swine flu, Harvard’s Dana Farber …

08 February » CDC Still Calling on Americans to Get H1N1 Flu Vaccine
TestCountry.com (blog)
A CNN report shared that Federal officials are urging Americans to get vaccinated against swine flu. Lately, states have been reporting “sporadic or local …

07 February » Swine flu strain
The Province
H1N1 swine flu is still circulating around the world and still killing people, although it is on the decline everywhere, global health officials said on …

06 February » Many see H1N1 as waning
Boston Globe
But federal health officials cautioned that the H1N1 virus that causes swine flu is still circulating. The Harvard School of Public Health poll, …

05 February » Swine flu pandemic hit European children: study
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The pandemic of H1N1 swine flu raised the death rate among children across Europe late last year but not adults, researchers reported …

04 February » Glaxo Profit Beats Estimates as Savings Plan Expanded
BusinessWeek
Glaxo was dealt a blow when Germany and France were among the European countries to slash orders for the drugmaker’s swine flu vaccine after the virus was …

03 February » ‘Eureka moment’ may unlock swine flu mystery
The Age
Dr Claire Martin’s finding may explain why pregnant women are more likely to get swine flu. Photo: Craig Abraham A young doctor at a Melbourne hospital has …

02 February » 36 new H1N1 cases in one day
AsiaOne
This stresses the importance for people to get vaccinated against the H1N1 as soon as possible, health officials said yesterday. In an e-mail to The Brunei …

01 February » Voluntary Swine Flu Vaccine Recall
myfoxny.com
A voluntary, non-safety related recall is underway of six lots of Sanofi Pasteur H1N1 influenza vaccine. UT023AA, UT023BA, UT023CA, UT023EA, UT023FA, …

NOTE: As of 27 December 2009, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 12220 deaths.

31 December » Rapid H1N1 testing method developed
Expressindia.com
The test can successfully detect human H1N1, H3N2, and swine-origin H1N1 viruses as well as distinguish these from influenza B and RSV infections, …

30 December » Germany Aims to Cancel 50% of Swine Flu Shots, Ministry Says
Bloomberg
30 (Bloomberg) — Germany aims to accept only half the Pandemrix swine flu vaccine doses it ordered from GlaxoSmithKline Plc because the disease has proven …

29 December » May take a year to conquer H1N1 flu pandemic – WHO
Reuters
Chan also said the world was still not ready to combat a pandemic of the separate H5N1 bird flu virus. She fought outbreaks of the more deadly avian flu …

28 December » 68 new swine flu cases in Delhi
Times of India
NEW DELHI: There were no fresh deaths due to swine flu in the capital but at least 68 more people were infected with the contagious virus on Monday, …

27 December » Anatomy of a pandemic: H1N1 mysterious, deadly, but not as lethal as feared
Canada.com
The world could only guess at the next danger that might come to pass, and for five years everyone had been watching a different kind of virus – H5N1, …

26 December » India To Have A/H1N1 Flu Vaccine Ready By April Next Year
Bernama
NEW DELHI, Dec 26 (Bernama) — India has said that it would have A/H1N1 flu vaccines by early next year, latest by the first week of April, once the trials …

25 December » H1N1 ‘Swine’ flu among Reflector’s picks for top 2009 stories
Norwalk Reflector
People donned masks this year as the threat of a strain of influenza known as H1N1, sometimes called the “Swine Flu,” spread throughout the world. …

24 December » H1N1 found at pig farms
News & Observer
RALEIGH — Pigs from two North Carolina farms have tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus in a federal laboratory, though officials report all animals have …

23 December » Obama and Michelle get H1N1 shots
USA Today
President Obama says he and first lady Michelle Obama got their H1N1 flu shots on Sunday, and “people need to understand that this vaccine is safe. …

22 December » Study: One dose of H1N1 vaccine could be enough
Times Daily
By Michelle Rupe Eubanks One dose of the H1N1 vaccine may be enough to protect infants and children and reduce the transmission of the virus, according to a …

21 December » WHO-BigPharma H1N1 operation inquiry in EU. 1M troops ordered for US soil.
Examiner.com
Burgermeister, an international leader in H1N1 vaccine unbiased news and H1N1 legal action, reports that Wolfgang Wodarg, former member of parliament and …

20 December » More docs to treat H1N1 patients
Times of India
To cope with the increasing number of H1N1 cases, it was also decided that the possibility to rope in Command Hospital, Chandimandir, would be explored. …

19 December » World Health Organization Says H1N1 Spreading in Afghanistan
Voice of America
WHO says this is of particular concern right now as the H1N1 influenza pandemic is spreading in cold parts of the country. Years of warfare have wrecked …

18 December » Human Protein Helps Prevent Infection by H1N1 Influenza and Other Viruses
Science Daily (press release)
18, 2009) — Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers have identified a naturally occurring human protein that helps prevent infection by H1N1 influenza …

17 December » H1N1 reveals weaknesses, report concludes
Washington Post (blog)
The swine flu pandemic may turn out to be less severe than many had feared, but the H1N1 virus has revealed disturbing weaknesses in the nation’s defenses …

16 December » NATION: 800000 H1N1 vaccines for children recalled
Chicago Tribune
Hundreds of thousands of H1N1 flu shots for children have been recalled because tests indicate the vaccine doses lost some strength, government health …

15 December » Seoul to send H1N1 flu aid to North Korea this week
Channel News Asia
SEOUL: South Korea will send antiviral drugs worth more than US$15 million this week to help North Korea fight an outbreak of H1N1 flu, officials said …

14 December » H1N1 virus not a threat to pets, experts say
Kalamazoo Gazette – MLive.com
BY AARON DOME KALAMAZOO — Pet owners have little to worry about if their pets contract the H1N1 virus, local and national experts say. …

13 December » Govt nod for H1N1 vaccine trials on humans
Times of India
NEW DELHI: The vaccine against H1N1 influenza is likely to be manufactured in the country by March next year with Union ministry of health and family …

12 December » Experts warn against letting guard down on H1N1 flu
Louisville Courier-Journal
By Laura Ungar • lungar@courier-journal.com • December 11, 2009 With H1N1 flu cases on the decline nationally, experts are warning about a new danger: …

11 December » UK study confirms H1N1 far less lethal than feared
Reuters
LONDON (Reuters) – H1N1 pandemic swine flu is far less lethal than feared, British scientists said on Wednesday, but public health officials should not be …

10 December » Tamiflu has limits curing A(H1N1) flu
Global Times
Tamiflu, the drug known widely in the world as the main medicine to cure the A(H1N1) flu, has limits in preventing people from getting the flu, …

09 December » Study: H1N1 May Be Less Severe than Feared
FOXNews
The theoretical worst case scenarios associated with this year’s H1N1 pandemic taught us not to take influenza for granted. However, a new study suggests …

08 December » Israel Treating Gazans Infected With Swine Flu
New York Times
By AP GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it’s treating five suspected swine flu cases from Gaza in hopes of containing an outbreak of the virus in …

07 December » France Takes Another Shot at Combating H1N1 Threat
Wall Street Journal
By DAVID GAUTHIER-VILLARS PARIS — France is playing catch-up in rushing to vaccinate a large part of its 65-million-strong population against the H1N1 …

06 December » H1N1 deaths hit 100 in Japan – Kyodo
Reuters India
TOKYO (Reuters) – The number of deaths from the H1N1 swine flu virus has hit 100 in Japan, Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday, as the pandemic continues …

05 December » Swine flu abates, but experts urge preparedness
San Francisco Chronicle
The swine flu is receding in the Bay Area and nationwide, and the worst of the pandemic may be over, but public health experts say it’s too early for people …

04 December » CDC Warns Against Swine Flu Scam
WSAV-TV
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a public warning over swine flu e-mails. The CDC says e-mails inviting people to sign up for …

03 December » Michigan news: New Web scam uses H1N1 to lure users
Detroit Free Press
Scam artists have turned to the Web again, this time using H1N1 fears to lure users into making their computers vulnerable to a virus. …

02 December » China orders 1M doses of Sinovac swine flu shot
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Sinovac Biotech Ltd. said Tuesday the Chinese government is ordering another million doses of its Panflu.1 swine flu vaccine. …

01 December » Seasonal Flu Vaccine May Be Delayed By H1N1 Demand, CSL Says
Bloomberg
… two-thirds of the country’s seasonal flu-immunization needs and is supplying a government order for 21 million doses of vaccine against the H1N1 virus. …

Note: As of 20 December 2009, the WHO (World Health Organization) reports more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 11516 deaths.

(As more and more countries have stopped counting individual cases, particularly of milder illness, the case count is significantly lower than the actually number of cases that have occurred. While the case counts no longer reflect actual disease activity, WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of data.)

30 November » Seoul reports 1st case of Tamiflu-resistant A/H1N1
Xinhua
30 (Xinhua) — South Korean health authorities on Monday reported its first case of a patient infected with the A/H1N1 flu strain resistant to the …

29 November » CDC launches travel campaign to fight H1N1 swine flu
KTNV Las Vegas
With the large crowds and jammed flights comes heightened concerns of travelers contracting the H1N1 swine flu virus. In effort to fight back against the …

28 November » Nearly 8000 H1N1 flu deaths worldwide, WHO says
Los Angeles Times
At least 7826 people worldwide have died from laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza, an increase of more than 1000 in the last week, …

27 November » Sharp increase in swine flu deaths in France
Reuters
PARIS (Reuters) – The number of deaths in mainland France from the H1N1 swine flu virus jumped in the last week, according to official data Thursday. …

26 November » H1N1 linked to rise in bacterial pneumonia cases
CNN
At the same time, the flu is at record levels because of the new H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. The number of cases is outpacing the typical number of …

25 November » glaxosmithkline pulls swine flu vaccines in Canada
The Associated Press
LONDON — The pharmaceutical company glaxosmithkline says it has advised medical staff in Canada to not use one batch of swine flu vaccine for fear it may …

24 November » WHO to give Africa anti-A/H1N1 flu vaccines
Xinhua
24 (Xinhua) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it will be giving African countries 200 million doses of vaccine to combat A/H1N1 flu, …

23 November » Antiviral Drugs to prevent H1N1 infection – Can Tamiflu or Relenza stop you …
Examiner.com
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli Relenza and Tamiflu are two popular antiviral medications that are being used to treat H1N1 infections. …

22 November » Saudi Arabia reports first H1N1 deaths among pilgrims
Reuters
RIYADH, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia said on Saturday four pilgrims had died of the new H1N1 flu virus three days before the massive Muslim haj is due to …

21 November » Drug-resistant strain of swine flu appearing, worries H1N1 virus mutating
New York Daily News
Health officials are keeping a close eye on drug-resistant strains that spread from person to person because they could be signs H1N1 is mutating. …

20 November » Is That Right? Onions and garlic fight swine flu?
Washington Post
Soldiers serving the small former Soviet country Moldova are being fed extra garlic and onions in hopes that those foods will help fend off swine flu. …

19 November » H1N1 vaccine: New warnings, side effects to consider
ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)
PHOENIX — The Centers for Disease Control has issued new warnings you’ll want to consider if you or your family is thinking about getting the H1N1 vaccine. …

18 November » Prices for H1N1 drug Tamiflu vary widely for same dose
USA Today
By Mel Evans, AP By Alison Young, USA TODAY Some pharmacies are charging three times what others are for a scarce liquid form of the H1N1 drug Tamiflu used …

17 November » Had flu? You may have H1N1 protection
Reuters
They found evidence that the human immune system can recognize bits of the new H1N1 virus that are similar to older, distantly related H1N1 strains. …

16 November » Updated H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms guidelines for new mothers and infants
Examiner.com
What Are the Dangers of H1N1 Symptoms for New Mothers and Infants? Although health officials are still not certain why, pregnant women seem to be hit …

15 November » Disney World Steps Up Fight Against H1N1
FOXNews
AP Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends aren’t taking any chances with the H1N1 virus. In an effort to halt the spread of H1N1, also known as swine flu, …

14 November » How do I protect my child from swine flu?
BBC News
By Carley Bowman How can I protect my child from swine flu? It is a question that has kept me awake at night. For several weeks I have been waiting …

13 November » New CDC estimates show what toll swine flu is taking in US
Washington Post
By David Brown About 22 million Americans have become ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza in the past six months and 3900 have died, according to new estimates …

12 November » Swine flu skepticism demands deft response
Reuters
France’s Le Parisien newspaper ran the headline: “Swine flu: why the French distrust the vaccine” and noted a gap between the predicted impact of H1N1 and …

11 November » A/H1N1 flu adds new woes to Afghanistan, anti-terror war
Xinhua
11 (Xinhua) — Two weeks after Afghanistan announced its first death from the A/H1N1 flu, the country has seen the epidemic’s death toll rising sharply, …

10 November » Poll: Drugmakers most at fault for swine flu vaccine shortage
USA Today
By William West, AFP/Getty Images By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY Americans who are frustrated with shortages of swine flu vaccine place slightly more blame …

09 November » Can pets catch H1N1 flu from humans?
Times of India
A case of an indoor 13-year-old house cat in Iowa who has contracted the deadly H1N1 flu while living with two flu-sick owners has fuelled concerns if the …

08 November » HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL ADVISER Is the new H1N1 vaccine safe?
Detroit Free Press
Question: Is the new vaccine for H1N1 (swine) flu safe? I am pregnant and am worried that if I get it, my baby might be harmed. …

07 November » More than 38 million vaccine doses available against swine flu
Los Angeles Times
There have been 129 pediatric deaths from laboratory-confirmed swine flu since the outbreak of the pandemic in April, an increase of 15 since last week. …

06 November » Honor rules, CDC urges vendors of H1N1 vaccine
Washington Post
By David Brown and Rob Stein As the public clamors for the still-scarce H1N1 pandemic flu vaccine, a top federal health official on Thursday urged state and …

05 November » H1N1 vaccine arrives for troops in war zones
CNN
Washington (CNN) — The first shipment of H1N1 vaccine set aside for US troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan arrived late Tuesday, but it contains only …

04 November » Swine flu scare tightens borders around Ukraine
The Associated Press
In Russia, where there have been 14 confirmed swine flu deaths, the Health Ministry said it would examine anyone crossing the border from Ukraine and …

03 November » New Advice on Swine Flu for Pregnant Women
New York Times
At a vaccine site in Tarrant County, Tex., signs outline the criteria for receiving swine flu shots. By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr. One dose of swine flu vaccine …

02 November » Independent experts to study safety data on H1N1 vaccine
Washington Post
The National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s H1N1 Vaccine Safety Working Group will review the results of data being collected by the government to detect any …

01 November » Cuba swine flu ‘from US tourists’
BBC News
By Michael Voss Cuba’s former leader, Fidel Castro, has blamed the growth in swine flu on an increase in US visitors to the island. …

If you are having a severe reaction, the CDC said you may experience “high fever or behavior changes, difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, swelling around the eyes or lips, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.” The CDC recommends seeking medical attention immediately if you spot any of the above symptoms.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national vaccine safety surveillance program co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS is a post-marketing safety surveillance program, collecting information about adverse events (possible side effects) that occur after the administration of vaccines licensed for use in the United States. Their site is: vaers.hhs.gov

Also, for those in the USA, you can find out where to get a flu shot via the www.flushotsusa.com website and register your children depending where you live.

(This is a draft …)

Note: As of 25 October 2009, the WHO (World Health Organization) reports worldwide there have been more than 440,000 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 and over 5700 deaths reported to WHO.

(As more and more countries have stopped counting individual cases, particularly of milder illness, the case count is significantly lower than the actually number of cases that have occurred. While the case counts no longer reflect actual disease activity, WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of data.)

30 October » Pregnant Women and The H1N1 Vaccine
FOXNews
Being on a priority list for the H1N1 vaccine doesn’t necessarily mean that you can get it right away. Pregnant women across the country say they are having …

29 October » Children learn their part in swine flu prevention
The Associated Press
LOUIS — Mention swine flu to a young child, and odds are pretty good you’ll get a blank stare. But an increasing number of kids can tell you that the Sesame …

28 October » UPDATE 1-Companies struggling to get H1N1 vaccine to US
Reuters
A US senator accused the Health and Human Services department of over-promising how many and how quickly H1N1 vaccines could be delivered, as disgruntled …

27 October » In Germany, A Better H1N1 Vaccine For Politicians?
TIME
As Germany launched its mass vaccination program against the H1N1 flu virus on Monday, the government found itself fending off accusations of favoritism by …

26 October » Swine flu facts: H1N1 information guide to protect yourself and your family
New York Daily News
Above, a young girl receives H1N1 vaccine at Wake County Human Services in Raleigh, North Carolina. Will you and your family get vaccinated for swine flu? …

25 October » Obama Declares H1N1 Flu ‘National Emergency’
FOXNews
President Obama declared the H1N1 pandemic a national emergency Friday, allowing extra leeway to medical service centers in combating with the flu virus. …

24 October » Flu-like illnesses now higher than at peak of seasonal flu season
Los Angeles Times
Federal officials report 8200 hospitalizations for infections from the H1N1 virus, and 411 deaths. But reports of 1 in 5 kids being infected are wrong, …

23 October » H1N1 Vaccine: Scary Statistics
Examiner.com
The H1N1 Vaccine is available in limited supply and as deaths surrounding the H1N1 virus continue to rise demand for the vaccine has increased. …

22 October » Despite H1N1 fears, many worry about vaccination
Washington Post
As the H1N1 virus continues to spread nationwide, a majority of those surveyed — 52 percent — now say they are “a great deal” or “somewhat” worried that …

21 October » Ontario Turkeys Infected With H1N1, Agriculture Ministry Says
Bloomberg
By Whitney McFerron Oct. 20 (Bloomberg) — Turkeys in one barn in Ontario have been infected with the H1N1 flu virus, the province’s Ministry of Agriculture …

20 October » Parents swamping clinics with kids over H1N1 fears
Muncie Star Press
“The hard part of this is we’re seeing an early flu season with the H1N1. From my perspective, that is not maybe the major illness out there, …

19 October » Schools need swine flu ‘rethink’
BBC News
The principal of a special needs school has said there needs to be a rethink on how schools deal with swine flu. Colm Davis, head teacher of Torr Bank, …

18 October » US, Mexico face shortage of H1N1 flu vaccine
Los Angeles Times
Mexico was facing similar shortages of the H1N1 vaccine. Officials had promised 30 million doses, but now say they don’t expect the first batch of 5 million …

17 October » FDA warns against fake online H1N1 remedy claims
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The US government this week warned against the online marketing of unlicensed health remedies claiming to protect against H1N1 swine …

16 October » First doses of state H1N1 flu vaccine go to at-risk kids
Minneapolis Star Tribune
The first doses of H1N1 flu vaccine for the general public arrived in Minnesota this week, but as high-priority children got their shots Thursday, …

15 October » Getting H1N1 vaccine may require extra effort
Dallas Morning News
By JEFFREY WEISS / The Dallas Morning News The first of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine has started to trickle into doctor’s offices and hospitals in the Dallas …

14 October » US could potentially use controversial adjuvants in swine flu…
San Jose Mercury News
However, the current stock of US swine flu vaccines does not contain adjuvants, according to Anne Schuchat, MD, in an informational video produced by the …

13 October » Some H1N1 Strains Showing Tamiflu Resistance
Food Consumer
That seems to have happened with 31 strains of the H1N1 virus; they are immune to Tamiflu, according to the World Health Organization. …

12 October » Demand for H1N1 Vaccine Causes Shortages
CBS News
By Randall Pinkston There is new evidence that the H1N1 flu is especially dangerous for young people. As Randall Pinkston reports, this leaves some parents …

11 October » H1N1 Deaths Among Youths Rise
Washington Post
The deaths of another 19 children and teenagers from the new H1N1 virus were reported in the past week around the country, including two in Maryland, …

10 October » US enters threshold of A/H1N1 epidemic
Xinhua
HOUSTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) — Signs are growing that the United States is entering the first stage of a second wave of the A/H1N1 flu epidemic just as the …

09 October » US, other nations stop counting pandemic flu cases
The Associated Press
The novel H1N1 flu seems to be more dangerous for children, young adults, pregnant women and even the obese, according to studies based on small numbers of …

08 October » Sanofi H1N1 shot gives robust immune response -data
Reuters
By Caroline Jacobs PARIS, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Results of clinical trials held in Europe show that one dose of Sanofi Pasteur’s H1N1 flu vaccine triggers a …

07 October » Interactive Web Site to Help Quantify Flu Severity
FOXNews
WASHINGTON — So you think you’ve got swine flu? Now there’s help at the click of your computer mouse. An interactive Web site is being offered to help …

06 October » H1N1 shot here, but most must wait
Chicago Sun-Times
The first H1N1 flu vaccine for Illinois arrived Monday at Chicago hospitals — but probably not for you. Aside from health-care workers and some children, …

05 October » What You Need To Know About Swine Flu Vaccine
NPR
by Richard Knox Ask our experts: NPR’s swine flu czar Richard Knox and Dr. Richard Wenzel, a professor at the Medical College of Virginia, in Richmond in a …

04 October » FLU FEARS: Doctors say the H1N1 shot is now a must for pregnant women
WHO-TV
After 100 women end up in intensive care with the H1N1 virus, the Centers for Disease Control changes its recommendation, now saying they should be …

03 October » First H1N1 Death In The Army Confirmed
MyStateline.com
(Fort Jackson, SC) — The first death in the US Army from the H1N1 flu virus has been confirmed. The Army released a statement Thursday saying 23-year-old …

02 October » Swine flu deaths tied to bacterial infections
Buffalo News
By Henry L. Davis Bacterial infections on top of swine flu are now seen as a major culprit in the deaths of otherwise healthy people with the new influenza …

01 October »  Pregnant mom’s H1N1 exposure can harm baby
Salt Lake Tribune
By Lisa Rosetta The sons of mothers who were pregnant and exposed to a strain of the H1N1 virus during the 1918 flu pandemic were more likely to have …

Note: As of 20 September, the WHO (World Health Organization) reports there have been more than 300,000 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1, 3917 deaths, in 191 countries and territories reported to WHO.

(As more and more countries have stopped counting individual cases, particularly of milder illness, the case count is significantly lower than the actually number of cases that have occurred. While the case counts no longer reflect actual disease activity, WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of data.)

30 September » Public deserves information about H1N1
DesMoinesRegister.com
The fact that someone died of the H1N1 flu virus somewhere in Iowa is not particularly useful information to the average Iowan. …

29 September » After a tragic loss, family steps up in flu vaccine trials
USA Today
Harrison says most people enrolled their children in the trial to protect them from swine flu, especially with school approaching, but many also took into …

28 September » Second wave of swine flu pandemic begins to hit US
Boston Globe
(Matt York/ Associated Press) By Rob Stein WASHINGTON – After months of warnings and frantic preparations, the second wave of the swine flu pandemic is …

27 September » Swine flu shot: Intense tracking for side effects
The Associated Press
If you’re one of them the day after your swine flu shot, will you worry the vaccine was to blame and not the more likely culprit, all those burgers and …

26 September » EU Panel Backs Roche Tamiflu Use In Young Babies
Wall Street Journal
VX) antiviral drug Tamiflu to be used in children younger than six months during the pandemic of the H1N1/A swine flu virus, and to prevent infection in …

25 September » Most parents won’t have kids get H1N1 flu shots, study finds
Los Angeles Times
By Melissa Healy Germ-spreading schoolchildren are expected to be the focus of a massive US vaccination campaign against the novel H1N1 flu. …

24 September » Study: Flu shot better than nasal spray in adults
The Associated Press
That may not be true, however, for swine flu vaccines, which may be available first in a spray. Experts say both kinds might be equally effective against …

23 September » More Deadly Swine Flu? CDC Mixes H1N1, H5N1 Viruses in Tests
Wall Street Journal (blog)
The scientists want to know whether a combination of the H1N1 virus -– highly transmissible, but not terribly deadly -– and the H5N1 flu virus could create …

22 September » Flu Can Raise Chances of Heart Attack
U.S. News & World Report
Because both seasonal and the pandemic H1N1 swine flu are circulating this fall and winter, people at risk for heart attacks are urged to get a seasonal flu …

21 September » New York Health Care Workers Resist Flu Vaccine Rule
New York Times
By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr. and KAREN ZRAICK When she cleans the rooms of patients with swine flu symptoms, Jana Newton, a housekeeper at Maimonides Medical …

20 September » Flu on campus: What works, what doesn’t
Reuters
So far this academic year, there have been 13434 reported cases of flu-like illness, most of which are presumed to be swine flu because seasonal flu has not …

19 September » Vaccine could be ‘more dangerous than swine flu‘
ABC Online
The Australian Vaccination Network lobby group says more testing of the swine flu vaccine needs to be done before it is given to the public. …

18 September » Swine flu’s tendency to strike the young is causing confusion
Los Angeles Times
Scientists had theorized that the new H1N1 swine flu descended from the 1918 Spanish flu, an H1N1 strain that killed an estimated 50 million people …

17 September » 460000 qualify for swine flu vaccine
Buffalo News
The 460000 at-risk residents are prone to catching the swine flu, passing it along or suffering serious consequences from it. …

16 September » Swine Flu Might Be Even More Contagious
ABC News
By MICHAEL SMITH SAN FRANCISCO — People infected with the swine flu (or H1N1 pandemic flu) strain continue to shed virus after the point where current …

15 September » Small Businesses Urged to Prepare for Disruptions From Swine Flu
Washington Post
Molly Brogan, spokeswoman for the National Small Business Association, said swine flu has the potential to do serious harm to some fragile small businesses …

14 September » Study: New drug fights flu as well as Tamiflu does
The Associated Press
It is the first big meeting of infectious disease specialists since the new H1N1 swine flu emerged in April. Treatment options are getting huge attention …

13 September » 2 flu strains in 1 pig led to new H1N1
Chicago Tribune
By Karen Kaplan Tribune newspapers The virus behind the global influenza outbreak may be known as swine flu, but it didn’t just come from pigs. …

12 September » Disaster Plans Being Revised For Swine Flu Strains on Emergency …
Washington Post
Even if swine flu remains a mild infection, the pandemic could be the tipping point for an emergency medical system teetering on the edge. …

11 September » NIH expands swine flu shot tests to pregnant women
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — It’s time to test the new swine flu vaccine in pregnant women. Studies of adults and children are going so well that the National Institutes of …

10 September » Swine flu summit pushes prevention
Houston Chronicle
Even the experts don’t have all the answers about swine flu, but Houston health leaders do have a new directive for parents of children with mild symptoms: …

09 September » Novartis Has Swine Flu Vaccine Shortfall -Dutch Govt
Wall Street Journal
AMSTERDAM (Dow Jones)–Novartis AG (NVS) has a shortfall of its swine flu vaccine and won’t be able to meet its deadline to supply the Netherlands with a …

08 September » Swine flu prompts France to bid kisses adieu
San Francisco Chronicle
Now, “la bise,” the cheek-to-cheek peck that the French use to say hello or goodbye, has come under pressure from a globalized threat: swine flu. …

07 September » US races to get millions of swine flu doses ready
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Sinovac’s swine flu vaccine won approval from China’s State Food and Drug Administration, according to a statement on the regulator’s Web site. …

06 September » What the swine flu is really teaching us
Examiner.com
Swine flu has been the number one news story and yes, people have died from this form of the flu, but it should not turn into a panic if we understand how …

05 September » Mass Vaccination Hubs Are Part of DC Swine Flu Plan
Washington Post
As cases of swine flu prompt more residents to seek care or vaccinations, officials and physicians don’t want hospitals to be inundated. …

04 September » Swine flu: Healthcare workers should wear N95 masks, IOM says
Los Angeles Times
Healthcare workers who come into direct contact with patients who are infected with the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus or who may be infected should wear N95 …

03 September » WHO expert says no doubt H1N1 vaccines will work
Reuters
Research on shots developed in response to H5N1 bird flu, which is more fatal than the pandemic variety but spreads much less easily between humans, …

02 September » China set to approve 1-dose swine flu vaccines
The Associated Press
BEIJING — China will soon approve domestically developed swine flu vaccines that manufacturers say can protect people against the virus with only one dose, …

01 September » Top 5 Ways College Kids Will Get Swine Flu
ABC News
By EMILY FRIEDMAN Forget about good grades and securing a date for homecoming, college students heading back to campus have a far bigger concern: swine flu. …

The software giant Microsoft has a good idea, it is software teachers can use to help keep the students engaged should they indeed have to stay home.

And with the recent news that vaccines are in much shorter supply (both quantity and later than expected, it seems likely that many schools and universities will indeed be closing the doors.

The World Health Organization is warning that the annual production of H1N1 vaccines is expected to fall short of the 4.9 billion doses that it had earlier forecast would be made.

WHO writes on their website, “Current supplies of pandemic vaccine are inadequate for a world population in which virtually everyone is susceptible to infection by a new and readily contagious virus.

Given that current demand outstrips supply, these donations, together with the doses pledged by manufacturers, will help increase supplies of pandemic vaccines to populations that would otherwise not have access.”

[Link: who.int/mediacentre/]

Below is a link to the Microsoft idea which is a good idea from Microsoft for a few reasons. For example, it is a very practical idea for both teachers and students. It gives both some time and strategy to think though the process of teaching during possible closures to schools. An added benefit: parents are relieved at the idea their kids have something practical to do when they are stuck at home.

From a marketing idea, since the concept is of course to use Microsoft software to implement the teaching, it is really good. Not everyone is going to rush out to buy software from Microsoft, but what with anger over Vista and new Office which certainly hurt Microsofts image, this plan is a step in the right direction, at least for countries / teachers / students with the money to have a computer and be online.

“We’re concerned for the students and families impacted by the H1N1 virus and understand this could be a difficult time for students worried about their health and that they could fall behind in their studies,” said Anthony Salcito, vice president of Worldwide Public Sector Education at Microsoft. “We are happy to be able to provide affordable and accessible technology solutions that educators and students can use to mitigate any disruptions in the classroom due to a possible outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus.”

More information is available at microsoft.com/education/h1n1. (and microsoft.com/press)

YouTube H1N1 vaccine shortages expected:

Let’s start with the CDC (Centers for Disease and Control) which is offering several. These include the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Widget:


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Other Widgets from the CDC include:
• HHS (Health and Human Services) 2009 Flu Info
• H1N1 (Swine Flu)
• H1N1 Higher Education
• H1N1 School Guidance
• Flu IQ
• Seasonal Flu Updates
• FluView National Flu Activity Map
• CDC Emergency Text Messages

These widgets all seem to work well and come in different sizes and colors. It is easy enough to past the code into a WordPress sidebar text box if your theme supports it.

Although the information is good, it is of course targetted specifically for the USA. This is my complaint about most of the widgets out there. Good at least is that there are some Spanish variations. I was unable to track down any Chinese, German or other major language widgets specific to H1N1 news.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) also has a few widgets, especially helpful to those living in the USA. Below is one of the FEMA widgets in action (using iframes, which not everyone will want):

Live Twitter Search:

Twitter has added some very good search capabilities. Have a look on the sidebar and you’ll see any live results from Twitter right now.

And here is where you can add your own: http://twitter.com/goodies/widget_search

Although you don’t need WordPress for this, there are some WP plugins to allow you to do a live Twitter search directly from the sidebar or post. This allows you to post specific search results for Swine Flu or H1N1 which are up-to-date, assuming someone is tweeting about the subject. Specific plugins to help you add Twitter Search quickly and easily include (there are more):

http://juitter.com/ – see it in action on the juitter site, (using jQuery)
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/twitter-for-wordpress-extended/

There is also the “Flu Pandemic Level”, a WordPress plugin that will fetch the current WHO (World Health Organisation) phase of pandemic alert. You can view the plugin homepage and then install it directly from the WordPress Repository.

RSS

Another way to add news to your sidebar is to use RSS feeds. For example, if you Google H1N1, you can then save the results in an RSS feed format and simply paste the code into your sidebar. The example I’ll use here is from Google, but other search engines offer similar possibilities.

And in case you haven’t heard of it, WidgetBox offers hundreds of widgets which you can simply cut and paste into your blog. These can be added to MySpace, Blogger, Facebook, WordPress, TypePad, iGoogle or your favorite website. http://www.widgetbox.com/search?q=Swine+Flu+News

PandemicFlu.gov offers a map (only of the USA) which you can include.

Google offers it’s own Tracking Flu Trends maps.

FluTracker is another: (you can also embed this) http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/

Let us know on Twitter or via comments below of more of your favorites!

]]> http://www.xodigo.com/automatic-flu-updates/feed/ 0 http://www.xodigo.com/daily-h1n1-headline-roundup-for-august/ http://www.xodigo.com/daily-h1n1-headline-roundup-for-august/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:34:11 +0000 Ron http://xodigo.com/wpress/?p=732 These were the daily headlines from August 2009 about H1N1 Swine Flu and other influenza and Bird Flu (H5N1) topics.

Note:  As of 23 August, the WHO (World Health Organization) estimated over 209438 cases and at least 2185 deaths. (Given that countries are no longer required to test and report individual cases, the number of cases reported actually understates the real number of cases.)

31 August » Advice on when flu needs TLC or a doctor’s care
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — When is swine flu just miserable and when do you need a doctor? If it’s hard to breathe, that’s an emergency. It’s the not-so-obvious cases …

30 August » Mexico May Top 1 Million Swine-Flu Cases, Cordova Tells Reforma
Bloomberg
29 (Bloomberg) — Mexico’s swine-flu infections could surpass 1 million during the country’s winter season, Reforma newspaper reported, citing Health …

29 August » Swine flu fears factor in possible school closures
Newsday
Multiple confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported at the private university. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes) LONDON (AP) — As schools around the world reopen …

28 August » Swine flu: Are blacks and Latinos at higher risk?
Los Angeles Times
… suffer from higher rates of asthma, diabetes and other medical conditions that make them more susceptible to the new virus, commonly known as swine flu. …

27 August » Nation Digest: CDC Urges Calm After Release of Swine Flu Death …
Washington Post
Government health officials are urging people not to panic over estimates of 90000 people dying of swine flu this fall. “Everything we’ve seen in the US and …

26 August » Survey: Swine flu doesn’t change washing habits
Chicago Tribune
AP MILWAUKEE – A new survey says many people haven’t changed their hand washing habits in light of the swine flu outbreak. The survey was done by the …

25 August » cdc’s Advice to Parents: Swine Flu Shots for All
Washington Post
By Delece Smith-Barrow The first swine flu precaution that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests for parents: As soon as a vaccine is …

24 August » Swine flu may boost German Qiagen H2 sales -paper
Reuters
DE) expects sales of its swine flu tests to rise further if there is a flu wave in the coming months, after demand jumped sharply in the second quarter, …

23 August » Swine Flu Campaign Waits on Vaccine
Washington Post
By Rob Stein Government health officials are mobilizing to launch a massive swine flu vaccination campaign this fall that is unprecedented in its scope …

22 August » Chile confirms swine flu in turkeys
San Jose Mercury News
By Federico Quilodran AP SANTIAGO, Chile — Chile said Friday that tests show swine flu has jumped to birds, opening a new chapter in the global epidemic. …

21 August » WHO Warns of ‘Second or Third’ Wave of Swine Flu Cases, AFP Says
Bloomberg
21 (Bloomberg) — Governments around the world need to prepare for a likely second wave of swine flu cases, Agence France-Presse said, citing World Health …

20 August » Officials may recommend 3 flu shots
Los Angeles Times
Two would be for swine flu, or H1N1, the other for the seasonal strain. Employers are warned to brace for workers’ absences. By Rong-Gong Lin II and Kim …

19 August » Swine flu battle moves to cyberspace
Canada.com
“But if the current swine flu pandemic gets bad and schools close in the fall, there are going to be a lot of teenagers sitting at home with not much to do, …

18 August » Swine flu precautions lead to chaos at Cairo airport
USA Today
… when dozens of passengers hoping to perform a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca were stopped by new measures to prevent the spread of swine flu. …

17 August » Tropical weather…California fires…Swine flu prep
9&10 News
WASHINGTON (AP) — Schools across the country concerned about the next swine flu outbreak are preparing for what could be the most widespread school …

16 August »  Link between swine flu jab and deadly syndrome will be probed
Telegraph.co.uk
Neurologists have been ordered to monitor whether new swine flu vaccinations could trigger a deadly nerve disease. By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent …

15 August » Tami-flu resistant swine flu in King County
Examiner.com
The health department announced that two patients with a Tamiflu-resistant swine flu are being treated in King County. Both patients did not know each other …

14 August » Diarrhea, Tuberculosis Kill as Swine Flu Takes Focus in India
Bloomberg
Don’t be alarmed by swine flu, authorities say. Mumbai and New Delhi residents rushed to purchase face masks after India recorded its first swine flu death …

13 August » Swine Flu Hits Bollywood
Wall Street Journal
As swine flu cases in India multiply, the government is warning people against visiting public spaces like movie theatres. Whether the year’s most awaited …

12 August » Costa Rican president sick with swine flu
CNN International
(CNN) — Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu, the government said in a televised …

11 August » Ordinary people and the ordinary flu
Jakarta Post
… flu in 1918 and the 2009 flu pandemic), H2N2 (which caused the Asian Flu in 1957), H3N2 (which caused the Hong Kong Flu in 1968), H5N1 (the current bird …

10 August » Swine flu vaccine ‘safe and effective’
Belfast Telegraph
It is giving the first doses the green light based on data from a previous ‘mock up’ vaccine of H5N1 bird flu, as both will have the same basic ingredients. …

09 August » Look at the past, plan for the future: Flu forum focuses on …
Temple Daily Telegram
The state had been planning for the bird flu, the H5N1 strain because it had been seen in other parts of the world for the past few years, Lakey said. …

08 August » Swine flu science update: 8 August 2009
SciDev.net
Although H5N1 bird flu led to increased diagnostic and surveillance capacity in some countries, many still have no capacity and surveillance efforts cover …

07 August » Needed: Law with teeth in age of H1N1
Times of India
The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, does not even mention present-day threats such as the H5N1 avian influenza virus or HIV that causes AIDS, because they …

06 August » Khanh Hoa reports Vietnam’s first H1N1 death
Thanh Nien Daily
On July 31, the institute confirmed she had contracted the H1N1 virus and tested negative for the H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu. …

05 August » Aphios Awarded NIH Grant for CFI Virus and Pathogen Inactivation …
Business Wire (press release)
The recent outbreaks of potentially pandemic strains of influenza such as the H1N1 swine flu and the H5N1 bird flu, the worldwide AIDS epidemic, …

04 August » Predictive Programming: TV Movie Shows Riots, Quarantines and Mass …
Prison Planet.com
The sensationalized movie, follows an American businessman who represents the first human to human transfer of the H5N1 Avian flu virus in Hong Kong. …

03 August » H1N1, H5N1 & the Common Cold: Panic & Paranoia
Bru Direct
H5N1 (if anyone still remembers it at all)aka Bird Flu was very dangerous, due to its kill rate of over 60%. That was worth the media hype. …

02 August » Swine Flu: Bringing the Pandemic Out of the Box
The Faster Times
There have been 436 reported cases of H5N1 infections in humans; amongst these 262 deaths have occurred 5 . Fortunately the H5N1 bird flu virus strain has …

01 August »  How the world caught the flu
Irish Times
In 1997 the first human case of avian or “bird flu” (H5N1) cropped up, and human infections started to build around 2004 and 2005. But, while the H1N1 virus …

Isn't she lovely!

It started with diarrhea, then fever and basic flu-like symptoms. It certainly could be swine flu.

In theory we should all stay home so as not to spread it. But the clinic has other ideas. Although the personnel are well donned in green, almost from head to foot, parents and kids seeking help are not given so much as a mask. Instead we are told to go home and wait for the results. That could days. In the mean time the other kids are back to school and we as parents are told to go about life as normal.

Somehow I had expected something different. Of course we know that the current H1N1 bug isn’t as dangerous as it could be, but we are in a pandemic situation and surely if this thing is to be stopped we should, as a family, have stayed home?

I suppose most people are waiting for the vaccine or hopeful that current medications will be enough to stop the swine flu in its tracks. But truthfully, who is going to get a vaccine anyway? Countries like France want to vaccinate all 64 million people in the country, but how? Working 24 hours per day with every medical, health, first-aid person plus volunteers, the logistics of vaccinating 64 million people are overwhelming. And of course I don’t live in France. Nor is a vaccination ready.

Since June when the global pandemic was declared by the WHO (World Health Organization), I have seen relatively little preparation. Certainly we have the leaflets explaining symptoms and personal hygiene, which needs to be repeated. But running back and forth to a clinic seems more likely to help spread the flu bug, not deter it. I would have been happier if I had the offer of a face mask, perhaps at my local gas station and shopping mall.

One thing is for sure, if my daughter does have swine flu, it’s too late now. It has already been passed on.

If the virus mutates into something even more deadly, I certainly hope the system is prepared to do a better job of containment. At a school close by, the answer by the director was to charge money each time the kids washed their hands. Fortunately that got into the newspapers and the local counsel stepped in and forced them to stop. In some ways it seems for all our plans and “preparedness” we really are not as prepared as I had thought.

This has to get better before the fall flu season hits. In the mean time, I have been advised to send my daughter back to school as soon as possible.