Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EDT Welcome to the PandemicFlu.gov RSS news feed provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.flu.gov News en-us After a week of negotiations continued through Friday night and into Saturday morning, an open-ended working-group meeting of Member States successfully agreed upon a framework to ensure that in a pandemic, influenza virus samples will be shared with partners who need the information to take steps to protect public health. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2011/pandemic_influenza_prep_20110417/en/index.html http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2011/pandemic_influenza_prep_20110417/en/index.html Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST A contract has been awarded to develop a long-acting single-dose antiviral drug for use in the United States, the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) announced today. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/03/20110331c.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/03/20110331c.html Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled an innovative new website to help parents and other consumers learn about the most effective way to protect themselves and their children from infectious diseases and learn about immunization. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/03/20110330a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/03/20110330a.html Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST Guidance for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in the Peri- and Postpartum Settings http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/peri-post-settings.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/peri-post-settings.html Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus continues to circulate among the human population as the predominant H1N1 subtype. http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0017616 http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0017616 Mon, 2 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST The World Health Organization (WHO) Recommends Vaccine Composition for the 2011-2012 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/recommendations_2011_12north/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/recommendations_2011_12north/en/index.html Tues, 23 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST Flu surveillance, laboratory testing and inventory tools for use by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) international partners and collaborating countries. http://www.flu.gov/professional/global/intltools.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/global/intltools.html Mon, 7 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that Walgreens has agreed to donate $10 million in vouchers for free flu shots to 350,000 eligible uninsured and underserved people in 15 markets across the country. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/12/20101217a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/12/20101217a.html Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST 2009 Results of NIH-supported study now available http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2010/niaid-13.htm http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2010/niaid-13.htm Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST Last year, as the world prepared for a pandemic of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, we were reminded of the severity and unpredictability of this serious disease. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/07/presidential-proclamation-national-influenza-vaccination-week http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/07/presidential-proclamation-national-influenza-vaccination-week Mon, 7 Dec 2010 9:00:00 EST The costly, time-consuming process of making, distributing and administering millions of seasonal flu vaccines would become obsolete if researchers could design a vaccine that confers decades-long protection from any flu virus strain. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/universalFluVaxCommentary.aspx http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/universalFluVaxCommentary.aspx Mon, 6 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has set aside the week of December 5-11, 2010 to observe this season's National Influenza Vaccination Week. The week-long emphasis on flu vaccination was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination... http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r101203.html http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r101203.html Fri, 3 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST Because pregnant women are at increased risk for severe disease associated with influenza infection, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have recommended seasonal influenza vaccination for women while pregnant, regardless of trimester... http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5947a1.htm?s_cid=mm5947a1_w http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5947a1.htm?s_cid=mm5947a1_w Fri, 3 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST Efforts to grow the vaccine virus in cells rather than eggs are currently under way and there is consideration of the addition to influenza vaccine of immune-stimulating adjuvants to be used in certain groups of individuals. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/FutureFluVax.aspx http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/FutureFluVax.aspx Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST The following guidance on the use of influenza antiviral drugs for the prevention and control of influenza during the 2010-2011 season has been submitted to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and will appear in that publication at a later date. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/guidance/ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/guidance/ Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST A new commentary by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, explores the 1510 pandemic and what we have learned since then about preventing, controlling and treating influenza. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/1510Flu.aspx http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/1510Flu.aspx Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:50:00 EST Secondary infections with bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia, were a major cause of death during the 1918 flu pandemic and may be important in modern pandemics as well. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/BacVac1918.aspx http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/BacVac1918.aspx Tue, 2 Nov 2010 18:10:00 EDT Questions and answers on the safety of the 2010-2011 flu vaccine, including possible mild reactions. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/general.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/general.htm Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EDT Toolkit and other materials for businesses, employers, and their employees to learn ways to prevent the flu. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/ Thu, 8 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EDT Because the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus [2009 influenza A (H1N1)] was identified in April 2009, two separate influenza vaccines were distributed in the United States in 2009–2010: a seasonal vaccine and an influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine (2009 H1N1 vaccine). http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/coverage_0910estimates.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/coverage_0910estimates.htm Thu, 7 Oct 2010 14:35:00 EDT Answers to common questions regarding influenza vaccine strain selection, including information on the virus strains recommended for use in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccines. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5939a3.htm?s_cid=mm5939a3_w http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5939a3.htm?s_cid=mm5939a3_w Thu, 7 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EDT Answers to common questions regarding influenza vaccine strain selection, including information on the virus strains recommended for use in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccines. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/coverage_6-23months.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/coverage_6-23months.htm Tue, 5 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EDT Answers to common questions regarding influenza vaccine strain selection, including information on the virus strains recommended for use in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccines. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011_vac_selection.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011_vac_selection.htm Fri, 1 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EDT The contract will help fill the need for domestically manufactured, low-cost, user-friendly, and flexible next-generation ventilators. http://www.flu.gov/news/portablegenerators.html http://www.flu.gov/news/portablegenerators.html Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EDT Saudi Arabia updates its health and immunization requirements for travelers http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/in-the-news/Hajj-2010.aspx http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/in-the-news/Hajj-2010.aspx Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EDT As the United States prepares for the upcoming flu season, a group of researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health continues to model how H1N1 may spread. http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2010/nigms-21.htm http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2010/nigms-21.htm Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EDT La limpieza y la desinfección son parte de una amplia estrategia para prevenir las enfermedades infecciosas en las escuelas. Para ayudar a disminuir la propagación de la influenza (gripe), la primera l�ínea de defensa es la vacunación. Otras medidas comprenden cubrirse la nariz y la boca al toser o estornudar, lavarse las manos y mantener a las personas enfermas alejadas de las sanas. http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/cleaning_sp.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/cleaning_sp.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EDT Cleaning and disinfecting are part of a broad approach to preventing infectious diseases in schools. To help slow the spread of influenza (flu), the first line of defense is getting vaccinated. Other measures include covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands, and keeping sick people away from others. Below are tips on how to slow the spread of flu specifically through cleaning and disinfecting. http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/cleaning.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/cleaning.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EDT This document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides guidance to help reduce the spread of seasonal influenza (flu) among students and staff in K-12 schools during the 2010-2011 school year. http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/k12administrators.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/k12administrators.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EDT This document provides lists of facts and recommendations for health care workers concerning the flu and vaccinations. http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/hcworkers_vaccine.html http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/hcworkers_vaccine.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EDT Estimating Seasonal Influenza-Associated Deaths in the United States: CDC Study Confirms Variability of Flu http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EDT HHS Secretary releases review and recommendations driven by pandemic flu experience http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/08/20100819a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/08/20100819a.html Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EDT The world is no longer in phase 6 of influenza pandemic alert. We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2010/h1n1_vpc_20100810/en/index.html http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2010/h1n1_vpc_20100810/en/index.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EDT The world is now in the post-pandemic period. Based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus for some years to come. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20100810/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20100810/en/index.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EDT CSL Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Safety in the United States http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_cslfluvac.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_cslfluvac.htm Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EDT Recommended Flu Vaccines for Different Age Groups - U.S., 2010-11 Season http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/vaccines.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/vaccines.htm Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EDT As of 1 August 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18449 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_08_06/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_08_06/en/index.html Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EDT The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved vaccines for the 2010-2011 influenza season in the United States. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm220718.htm http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm220718.htm Fri, 30 July 2010 17:00:00 EDT This report updates the 2009 recommendations by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of influenza vaccine for the prevention and control of influenza. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr59e0729a1.htm?s_cid=rr59e0729a1_w http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr59e0729a1.htm?s_cid=rr59e0729a1_w Thu, 29 July 2010 19:00:00 EDT For many years, researchers have been working to find a way to deliver flu vaccine - whose components are much larger than those of nicotine and hormones - using a transdermal (across the skin) patch. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/Research/vaccineResearch/Pages/FluShotsNoMore.aspx http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/Research/vaccineResearch/Pages/FluShotsNoMore.aspx Thu, 29 July 2010 19:00:00 EDT A universal influenza vaccine - so-called because it could potentially provide protection from all flu strains for decades - may become a reality because of research led by scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jul2010/niaid-15.htm http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jul2010/niaid-15.htm Thu, 15 July 2010 15:00:00 EDT H1N1 Influenza Public Health Emergency Determination to Expire on June 23 http://www.flu.gov/news/h1n1pheexpiration.html http://www.flu.gov/news/h1n1pheexpiration.html Thu, 24 June 2010 13:00:00 EDT Per the FDA-issued advance notice letters listed below, the declaration of Public Health Emergency determination for 2009 H1N1 Influenza expires on June 23, 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/ http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/ Wed, 23 June 2010 09:00:00 EDT A test developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to diagnose human infections with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (formerly known as swine flu or pandemic H1N1 flu) was authorized for use today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100622.htm http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100622.htm Wed, 23 June 2010 09:00:00 EDT As of 13 June, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18172 deaths. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_06_18/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_06_18/en/index.html Fri, 18 June 2010 13:30:00 EDT The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers about a potentially harmful product represented as Generic Tamiflu sold over the Internet. FDA tests revealed that the fraudulent product does not contain Tamiflu's active ingredient, oseltamivir, but cloxacillin, an ingredient in the same class of antibiotics as penicillin. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm216148.htm http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm216148.htm Thu, 17 June 2010 18:30:00 EDT Centers for Disease Control and Prevention document that summarizes key events of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and CDC's response activities. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/cdcresponse.htm http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/cdcresponse.htm Wed, 16 June 2010 20:30:00 EDT Mice injected with a 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine and then exposed to high levels of the virus responsible for the 1918 influenza pandemic do not get sick or die, report scientists funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/2009H1N1VaxProtect1918.aspx http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/2009H1N1VaxProtect1918.aspx Tue, 15 June 2010 17:40:00 EDT A global update was provided to the Committee on the pandemic situation, including a particular focus on developments in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/8th_meeting_ihr/en/index.html http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/8th_meeting_ihr/en/index.html Thu, 03 June 2010 17:00:00 EDT Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an uncommon peripheral neuropathy causing paralysis and in severe cases respiratory failure and death. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0602a1.htm http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0602a1.htm Tue, 01 June 2010 16:30:00 EDT