Tag Archives: h3n2

Influenza

Epidemic Burst Fade Out: New flu killing dogs and cats! Blame Metro-sexual areas?

04AUG2018 (15:05 UTC-07 Tango 06)  13 Mordad 1397/22 Dhu l-Qa’da   1439/23 Geng-Shen 4716

New York might be ground zero for an epidemic of a new version of Influenza A subtype H3N2 flu now targeting dogs, called H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV).

H3N2 was first identified in 1968, evolving from H2N2.  By 2007 a version of H3N2 evolved (mutated) into one of three swine flus.  H3N2 CIV first showed up China and Korea in 2005.  CIV first appeared in the United States in 2015.  (H3N8 is another form of CIV)  In 2016, the U.S. strain of H3N2 CIV evolved to infect cats.

In June, the U.S. state of Arkansas began reporting cases of CIV there.  And in New York, New York City reported 1-hundred cases of CIV.

Oakland County currently has the highest rate of CIV in the U.S. state of Michigan, with 49 confirmed cases so far.  And so far this year Michigan has 98 confirmed cases of dog flu, last year there were only nine cases of dog flu.

Connecticut is also reporting dog flu cases, and dog owners are being told to keep their dogs away from doggie daycares and pet groomers, avoid other dogs, and get them vaccinated.

Veterinarians say CIV can survive on your hands for 12 hours, on your clothes for 24 hours and a dog bowl for 48 hours.  Typical signs of CIV are just like human flu infections; lethargy, fever, boogery nose. Most local news media report CIV is not fatal, however some local news media are calling it fatal.  In January 2018 (in the middle of the 2017-18 flu season) some news media reports warned of a possible dog flu epidemic in the future, while others downplayed the possibility.  However, in August of 2017 veterinarians warned of increasing cases of CIV during Summer months. To show you that CIV is expected to get worse, greedy vaccine investment analysts did research that predicts increasing CIV outbreaks worldwide until 2028 (thus creating a lucrative market for profit seekers).

At the end of July 2018, the Journal of Virology published an ‘epidemic burst-fade-out’ study blaming recurring cases of H3N2 CIV on high population density areas, saying “CIV must therefore rely on metapopulations of high host density (such as animal shelters and kennels) within the greater dog population and reintroduction from other populations or face complete epidemic extinction.”  In other words, if dog owners live in a highly populated area they are inadvertently keeping the CIV alive and well.

Veterinarians say dogs that die while infected with CIV are dying from secondary diseases, the result of their immune systems being weakened by CIV.  But some cats are being directly killed by ‘cat flu’.

A possible latest victim is an adult cat who was about to be given an award for saving the life of its owner.  In United Kingdom, Theo died one week before an award ceremony honoring him for saving his owner from a blood clot.  News media say no official cause has been announced in the cat’s death, but that the owner took the cat in when it was a kitten and infected with cat flu.

It seems the United Kingdom is being hit hard with an epidemic of cat flu (there are lots of reports of hundreds of abandoned cats who are sick, there’s even a case of sick kittens being dumped by overwhelmed animal control officers).

‘Cat flu’ is not necessarily an influenza, the name comes from the symptoms which can be caused by several types of viruses and even bacteria.

In Australia, warnings of the reemergence of ‘cat plague’ virus, called feline panleukopenia.  It’s being found in abandoned kittens and has veterinarians urging cat owners to get their cats vaccinated.  Last year there were reports of the deadly feline calicivirus, also referred to as a cat flu, which has a 40% kill rate.

In South Africa, the Boksburg SPCA is warning dog owners after a puppy had to be put down due to a severe case of what South Africans call ‘cat flu’ (which is actually canine parvo-virus).  Boksburg SPCA manager blames the pet shop where the puppy was bought: “These animals appear to be healthy but can be incubating a disease which can manifest once the pet has been purchased. You then usually end up with a very sick animal that usually dies.”-Maggie Mudd

In the U.S. state of Idaho a Elmore County cat died, in July this year, from plague commonly found in rodents.  In June another cat in the same county got sick with plague but recovered.  A human child (also in Elmore County) got sick with plague in May (also recovered).

In Connecticut, the VCA Cheshire Animal Hospital reported two cats died from H1N1 influenza (swine flu), despite advanced in-hospital care: “Cats can catch the flu from people.”-Anthony Pierlioni

In Florida, the Bay County Animal Shelter had to halt adoptions at the beginning of July, due to an outbreak of ‘cat flu’ (upper respiratory infection).

In New Jersey, the Saint Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center rescued more than 172 cats in July, the most in its operational history.  Most of the cats had to undergo medical treatment for infections and physical conditions.

Metro: 4 common illnesses that could be making your cat sick

SeattlePI: Cat-born parasite may prompt people to start businesses

Blind Bat News: PHILIP J. FRY SHOULD’VE KEPT THOSE SPACE-WORMS! EXERCISE IS ALSO GOOD FOR YOUR…PARASITES?

CRAVING FOOD & SEX? DON’T BLAME YOURSELF, BLAME THOSE MICRO PARASITES IN YOUR STOMACH!

Fox News: Woman scams casino to pay off sick cat’s vet bill

WJLA: Maryland woman spends $19000 on kidney donor for sick cat

Medical News Today: Could ‘dog flu’ be the next pandemic?

Agri-Pulse: USDA training dogs to sniff out bird flu outbreaks

Science News for Students: Dogs carry a grab bag of flu viruses

Scientific American: Ancient Dog DNA Reveals Close Relationship with Contagious Cancer

KABC-TV: Wisconsin man loses both legs and hands after being licked by dog

WebMD: Dog Illness Can Spread to Humans

OPERATION JUPITER: MILITARY’S SECRET FLU IMITATING VIRUS EXPOSED, VACCINATIONS FOR MILITARY ONLY!

Influenza

Influenza Update, 17 October 2014: Deadly Flu is spreading fast in the United States, a 4th death! More vaccine shortages! U.S. Army conducts mass vaccinations!

China: A report published in Cell Research says honeysuckle tea can fight influenza, and maybe ebola.

Qatar: For the first time U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Southwest Asia of the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support) Operational Command Post (Forward) conducted three days of mass influenza vaccinations of U.S. military personnel.

United Kingdom:  London and Middlesex reporting cases of influenza A.

United States: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota and New Hampshire join Idaho, Montana, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina in reporting flu cases.

Illinois reporting a four years old boy died from flu, making him the 4th victim of the U.S. 2014-15 flu season.  It happened fast, his mother had given him ibuprofen and he finally fell asleep, but never woke up.  Health officials say the other children in the family are now sick.  Health officials also ordered police who responded to the home to decontaminate themselves!

Iowa reported cases in three counties.   There are no Iowa health laws that require medical care providers to report influenza cases to state or federal officials.

In Florida, a man first thought to have ebola actually has the flu.  He was treated at Holmes Regional Medical Center.

USA Today has tips on how to tell the difference between the symptoms of flu and ebola.

The Michigan Department of Community Health reports cases of H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B.

Health officials in Missouri reporting a shortage of nasal spray vaccines for children.  Forest Park Pediatrics reports they are out of nasal spray vaccines.  New shipments aren’t expected until mid to late November.

And what about all those PSAs and news media reports begging sick workers to stay home?  When I was younger I remember always being screamed at by my bosses, over the phone, whenever I called in sick.  In Tennessee, the yearly Staples Annual Flu Survey reports that 60% of workers go to work sick with flu, and it’s the fault of the employer: “In my experience, employers expect you to be there no matter what. So for a lot of those people, it isn’t an option.”-Karen Milliner, former data management worker

Various state public school officials are asking parents to keep their sick kids home.  However, there’s a Catch 22 if your kid misses too many days; the school loses taxpayer funding, unless you get a doctor’s excuse for your sick kid.

Remember, Idaho was the first U.S. state to report flu deaths, followed by North Carolina.  

 

Influenza

U.S. Influenza update, 25 January 2013: All 50 states affected, epidemic levels! 37 children dead! No paid sick leave? Insurance companies crying in their beer? More proof the vaccine is a joke!

25 January 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting flu cases in all 50 U.S. states, and at least 37 children have died.  Remember, what the CDC reports is delayed as they have to wait for state officials to report in, and state officials have to wait for local health reports.

CDC also reporting that the percentage of deaths has exceeded official epidemic levels.  Last week it was 9.8%, the CDC’s official epidemic level is 7.3%.  The CDC does not track the number of adults who die, but compares the percentage of flu related deaths to other causes of death.

40 people have died in Indiana, 13 this past week.

In the Gem State of Idaho, 15 people have died since the start of the official flu season on 01 October 2012.  Two of those people who died were not residents of Idaho.

The Washington Health Department reporting increasing flu deaths: “We’ve had 17 laboratory confirmed deaths in Washington this season and 15 of them were 70 and older.”-Donn Moyer, Health Department.

So Far 11,000 people in Massachusetts tested positive for flu, 20 have died. Yet, health officials claim the flu has peaked, then again maybe not as hospitals in Boston are still seeing hundreds of flu patients per day:  “It does seem to have peaked here, but there are still a lot of sick people out there. Far more than last year, probably more than we’ve seen since H1N1.”-Jim Heffernan, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

17 people have died in Connecticut.

In California, San Diego County continues to see people die from flu. Eight deaths last week brings the total to 14.  Interestingly state health officials are still not including San Diego County deaths in their state count, which currently stands at five!?

Schools in Tennessee closed down. The Obion County School System has closed for the second time this flu season. One day there were as many as 541 students out sick.

Oklahoma health officials reporting a doubling of deaths in the past week. 14 people are now dead. Several grade schools were closed.

Arkansas reporting 19 deaths.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports a 27% increase in cases last week.  Local drug stores are reporting shortages of flu vaccines and Tamiflu.  At least 40 people have died.

State health officials in New Jersey have linked the deaths of four children to the flu. Hackensack University Medical Center closed their ER because they were swamped with flu patients!  Health officials say the H3N2 flu strain is worse this year because people infected with it are developing pneumonia much more easily.  There are also reports that hospitals are having a hard time getting a hold of Tamiflu.

Data out of New York shows 20,000 people sick, more than 5,348 hospitalized.  Quinnipiac University announced that any student sick with flu will be banned from school,  unless their homes are more than 200 miles from school, then they’ll be quarantined in empty apartments in the Complex residence hall! In the City of New York workers who do not get paid sick leave held a rally to bring attention to the elites that they can not afford to take off work because they’re sick.  This after the elitist mayor of New York City declared a health emergency.

According to the Community Service Society, more than 1 million people in New York City work jobs that do not have paid sick leave!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 43% of workers in the United States have no health coverage!

Even with that fact, the three biggest insurers in the U.S., UnitedHealth Group, WellPoint, and Aetna, are already complaining about how much they’ve paid out to doctors and hospitals.  They claim they’ve paid out $1 million USD more than last year, and the flu season is only half way done.

Despite reports of flu vaccine shortages, the number of people getting flu shots is no different than last year. For the 2011-12 flu season 47.6% of the population got flu shots, and according to the CDC it looks like it will be close to the same for the 2012-13 flu season.

Now how about that flu shot?  As I’ve tried to point out before, each year’s vaccines are short and behind the times: “These experts at the CDC say, OK, I think it’s going to be strains one, two and three this year, so that’s what we’re going to make the vaccine protect people against. But it’s a guessing game; so if it’s one, two and five and you get the vaccine, you’re not protected against three and five.”-Brian MacDonald, University at Buffalo microbiology and immunology department

In fact, there is a growing number of medical staff refusing to get the flu shot!  One hospital (Montefiore Medical Center) in New York City reported that 50% of their staff have refused to take the vaccine!

Medical researchers are not only using Google to predict the severity of influenza, but now they’re using Twitter. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are tracking how many Twitter messages are from people complaining about being sick.

 

Influenza

H3N2 Swine Flu spreading through the United States, children main targets, despite 2011-2012 flu season being officially ended

“So as of today, there are 145 confirmed cases of influenza infection with H3N2v virus, since the current outbreaks began in July of this year.  This includes one case in Hawaii, one case in Illinois, 113 cases being reported from Indiana, and 30 cases being reported from Ohio.  This is clearly a significant increase since last week’s total….”-Joseph Bresee, CDC

09 August 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that cases of H3N2v are now at 145 in the U.S.

Most of the current U.S. cases are in the mid west (some cases in Hawaii), with 90% of the infected people being children.  The CDC also believes there is a direct connection with pigs, and are asking people to avoid pigs if possible.

The H3N2v strain is a new version that showed up last year, and has been spreading around the World.

At the end of May 2012, the CDC warned that H3N2v was already the dominant flu, making up 60% of World cases.  But, the end of May is also when the CDC  announced the winding down of an unusually weak 2011-2012 flu season (weak for the U.S. that is): “This is the first time since CDC started this kind of influenza like surveillance (ILI) that the percentage of patient visits for ILI was elevated for only one week of the season.”-Joseph Bresee, CDC, May 2012

 

 

Influenza

H3N2 Update, 29 May 2012: Dominant Flu. Season ending in the North (but not for Hong Kong), beginning in South. New vaccine required.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that of the type A viruses hitting the Northern Hemisphere, H3N2 made up 60%.

Two deaths in the U.S. were reported in May, one from type B virus, the other was H3N2.

The U.S. CDC, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) say influenza cases are declining in the Northern Hemisphere, as the flu season ends, but are expecting flu cases to increase in the Southern Hemisphere, as the flu season is officially beginning there.

Already the WHO is reporting that 86.6% of recent type A influenza cases, in the South, are H3N2.

The WHO also reporting that the H3N2 cases in the Northern Hemisphere showed rapid changes in the virus, meaning a new vaccine is needed.

As the flu season begins in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand is reporting that people there are scrambling to get vaccinated.  So far more than 910,000 New Zealanders have been vaccinated.

Flu season might be officially ending in the Northern Hemisphere, but don’t tell that to Hong Kong health officials.  The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) says the number of flu cases there are still high, with H3N2 making up 88.1% of recent cases in the weeks from 21 April to 12 May. Health officials in Hong Kong say the reason is that the new strain of H3N2 renders the vaccine useless!

The CHP reports at least 92 flu related deaths between 13 January and 14 May.

 

 

 

Influenza

H3N2: Kills family in U.S., Hong Kong reports sudden jump in cases, big hit on old folks homes in U.K., Australia gets hit early

On March 1 and March 2, 2012, in the U.S. state of Maryland, three people died from H3N2 influenza.  They were members of the same family. Two other family members are recovering.

Calvert County Health officials say those who died did not get vaccinated.  Two of those who died also had complications due to MRSA. U.S. health officials say the flu season is off to a late start.

Health officials in Hong Kong are reporting a sudden jump in H3N2 cases.

At the end of January, 2012, they reported 196 total flu cases. At the end of February they reported 465 cases.  Now, for the end of March they have 579 new cases!  At least 50 people have died.

H3N2 is the dominate influenza in Hong Kong, accounting for 48% of all flu cases!  Health officials say it is similar to influenza A/Perth/16/2009, which is a sign that current vaccines should help prevent it.

Here are some tips from Hong Kong health officials: “Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking. Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. Wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose. Maintain good indoor ventilation.  Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.”
Also: “Members of the public, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks [hopefully you won’t violate any Homeland Security rules] and consult their doctors promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.”

In the United Kingdom, old folks homes are getting hit hard.  In just one care center six people died within days of each other.  Officials are seeing a jump in H3N2 cases: “We have been getting outbreaks involving 20 to 30 people at a time. When this happens local health protection unit staff go into the homes and take swabs.”-Nick Phin, U.K.’s Health Protection Agency

The same official said flu deaths that occur in nursing homes are not required to be reported to the public: “…a mandatory scheme whereby anyone admitted to a hospital intensive care unit who dies from flu is reported to the Department of Health. But we don’t formally record flu deaths of people dying in care homes.”

In other words it could be worse than what has been reported!  The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is admitting that nursing homes have the highest cases of influenza A (which includes H3N2). Schools are the next hardest hit, with hospitals coming in third.

British health officials confirm what U.S. health officials are saying: “Flu has circulated late this season….The most common flu strain we are currently seeing circulate this season is H3N2, which can cause more severe illness particularly in older people….”

While some of us in the Northern Hemisphere are getting a late start to the flu season, Australia is reporting an early start.

Officials in New South Wales, Australia, are reporting that Australians returning from vacations in Europe and the United States are bringing H3N2 with them: “…people shouldn’t be complacent! We’ve had two confirmed cases in the Hunter from people who have been overseas.”-David Durrheim, Hunter New England Local Health District

Normally the flu season starts in April in the land Down Under.  Officials there are actually telling people with symptoms to stay away from hospitals, as well as nursing homes, schools and other crowded areas, in order to prevent spreading the virus.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

Millions of Japanese hit with H3N2, most had been vaccinated, vaccine failed! Virus mutates too fast

By the beginning of February, 2012, more than 2 million people living in Japan were infected with H3N2v.  A new study shows most had been vaccinated.

Local health centers from Yokohama City, Mie Pref, Saga Pref and Sakai City, say 80% of the people in those cities, suffering from flu symptoms, tested positive for H3N2v.  In Kobe City it’s 100%!

A major problem with flu shots, is that they are based on the previous flu season.  Flu viruses are now mutating so fast that it’s possible vaccines are useless.

 

 

Influenza

Pale Green Horse & H3N2: CDC says H3N2v Pandemic likely, potentially more virulent than H5N1, WHO says Vaccines must be changed

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study says H3N2 swine flu virus is potentially more virulent than H5N1 bird flu.

Unlike the H5N1 flu, in which a U.S. taxpayer funded study showed that humans could manipulate the virus to make an even more deadly version, H3N2 does not need to be manipulated by humans.  The CDC study shows that Mother Earth is already mutating H3N2 rapidly and towards a more deadly version.

At the same time, the UN’s World Heath Organization has issued a warning, saying vaccines need to be adjusted for the rapidly changing H3N2 strains.

The WHO says the influenza A/H3N2 component, along with influenza B component, of vaccines should be changed.  Also, for the 2012-13 flu season, look out for H1N1 California, H3N2 Victoria and influenza B Wisconsin.

Back to the CDC.  The 2011-12 flu season started late, in fact the CDC says it’s the latest start to the U.S. flu season in the past 29 years!  The CDC warns that a late start does not mean it won’t be bad.

“While most indicators of seasonal flu activity are currently low, we expect them to increase in the coming weeks….In addition to starting late, flu season can also peak late. In fact, in the past 35 seasons we have seen peak activity….four times in March and two times in April….nor can we predict how severe the season will ultimately be.”-Joseph Bresee, CDC

I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him.  They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

International, U.S.

Already suffering from H5N1, Vietnam confirms first human case of H3N2 (H3N2v)

Vietnam has already had two people die from H5N1 ‘bird flu’ this year.  Now health officials confirm a two year old girl has H3N2v ‘swine flu’, and she’s had it since April 2011!

Vietnam’s Department of Preventive Health announced on February 15, 2012, that a two year old girl has been sick with H3N2v since April 2011.   The girl had classic flu like symptoms and then appeared to get well.

However, she has been suffering strange symptoms ever since, and the Ho Chi Minh Pasteur Institute sent samples of her infection to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for more testing.

Vietnam’s officials are blaming the epidemic of flu in their country, partly on unusually cold weather.  Tropical Vietnam has recently seen temperatures as cold as minus 39 Fahrenheit, and has seen at least 7,000 water buffalo freeze to death!

 

Business/Economics, International

Japan hits 2.1 million infected with H3N2 (H3N2v), New Zealand orders mandatory health screenings for airline passengers!

On February 5, 2012, the official number of people infected with H3N2v, in Japan, hit 2.1 million!  That’s more than the 2009 H1N1 outbreak.  Now Australian media reporting that New Zealand health officials are getting a little worried.

On February 13, airline passengers, on a plane arriving from Japan, were met by New Zealand health officials who made them undergo health screenings.  Some paramedics were actually dressed in full hazmat gear: “It was like we were radioactive or something. I think it freaked some people out.”-David Turner, passenger

Eventually all passengers were cleared, but the passengers and the crew of the flight say health officials gave them little info about what was going on.  The New Zealand Ministry of Health, and Auckland Regional Public Health Service are refusing to comment.  They’re also refusing to release the results of the health screenings.

Apparently some teenage Japanese passengers, on the Air New Zealand flight, had symptoms like sniffles, and a couple of them threw up.  New Zealand’s hospitals have also been put on high alert.