01 February 2014 (03:12 UTC-07 Tango)/30 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/12 Bahman 1392/02 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

Researchers say they are closer to identifying the specific protein that allows influenza to maintain more than one ‘shape’ at the same time and to rapidly evolve. They are suspecting “specific residues in matrix protein 1”.

Claims that not enough people in the United States are not getting the flu shot are bogus, because there is no official tracking of people who go to for-profit pharmacies or clinics to get vaccinated! Adults in the United States are not issued with vaccination record books.

When you read the following, note that most flu cases are in warmer regions, not in colder regions.  More proof that influenza is not a cold weather bug.

Canada: Is there a influenza news blackout? Not much flu news is coming out of the Great White North ever since shortages of vaccines were reported.

European Union: The ECDC reports that 32% of samples from 27 member countries have tested positive for influenza. Scotland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Bulgaria reporting that H1N1 is the dominate version.  The ECDC is also warning of outbreaks in European controlled areas of the Caribbean.  An outbreak on Saint Martin is “expanding”.  There’s an outbreak on Dominica.

Mexico:  Ministry of Health officials say the number of H1N1 deaths have hit 195, and have confirmed 1965 infections! That’s a big jump from the week prior. But officials are not willing to call it an epidemic, yet, they say it depends on what happens in the next five weeks.

Thailand: A Thai soldier has died from H1N1 (swine flu). Thai health officials are criticizing news media for falsely reporting that he died from a bird flu. At least one other Thailander is confirmed sick with H1N1.

United Kingdom: Doctor Robert Edgar Hope-Simpson believes there is a connection between people who get sick with influenza and a lack of vitamin D.  It’s based on the idea that the northern hemisphere gets less sunlight during the flu season.  However, the standard dose of 400 IU of vitamin D does not prevent wintertime immunity deficiencies, so more might be needed.  Hope-Simpson points out that people who live in the far north have a heavy fish diet, meaning they eat a lot of vitamin D which could explain lower flu cases.  He also says people with darker skin are more susceptible to getting sick because they have naturally lower levels of vitamin D.

Alaska, U.S.A.: The Alaska Department of Health announced the third H1N1 death for the Last Frontier state. The 49 years old man did not get sick in Alaska, rather he got sick while visiting his wife and kids in much warmer Arizona!  His mother found him dead in his bathroom in his Alaska home.

Arizona, U.S.A.: Yuma County (one of the warmest, actually hottest places in the U.S.) reports a child has died from H1N1.  The have confirmed 72 cases of flu in the sparsely populated county.

California,U.S.A.: On 31 January 2014, state health officials reported 147 deaths involving people under the age of 65!  Compared to the same time last flu season there were only 14 deaths involving people under the age of 65!  In Sacramento, a local TV saleswoman described as healthy by co-workers, was killed within three days by H1N1.  Co-workers say she’d actually been “feeling” sick for about two weeks, then went into the hospital and three days later was dead.   San Louis Obispo County Jail reports their first H1N1 death.  It’s also the first H1N1 death for the entire county.  The 35 years old prisoner’s death was officially the result of “…respiratory failure due to septic shock as a consequence of influenza A and staphylococcus.”  Also, in the same county the Ocean View Elementary School reports a “serious” case of H1N1, but refused to give anymore details. In San Diego, a city councilman reported that his “relatively healthy” brother died from H1N1.  The councilman’s brother lived in Pennsylvania.  San Diego County health officials reported eight new deaths in the past week, for a total of 20 so far. Santa Clara County reports two more deaths.

Idaho, U.S.A.: Southwest District Health offering reduced price flu shots for only $12 USD, on 04 February. (that’s right all you people in other countries who get ‘free’ flu shots, we have to pay for them up front). Southeastern Idaho Public Health reports increasing cases of influenza.

Indiana, U.S.A.: 30 deaths so far.

Kansas, U.S.A.: Another flu related death, this time in Sedgwick County.  Reports say a man got sick and died just two days later.  Doctor Maggie Hagen said this season’s influenza is hitting people who “normally” don’t get sick, adding “That means that influenza season will not end soon……..take precautions…”

Louisiana, U.S.A.: So far total influenza deaths have hit 49, since October 2013.

Michigan, U.S.A.: A city of Riverview employee survived a H1N1 infection that gave him a broken foot!  The man credits getting a flu shot for saving his life, but blames H1N1 for the broken foot.  He says he was so sick that when he got out of bed he collapsed, falling on his foot wrong and breaking it! Also, a retired reporter died from H1N1. He was going to be flown to a hospital but his oxygen levels crashed preventing the medevac.

New Mexico, U.S.A.: Department of Health reports 5th person to be killed by H1N1.

North Carolina, U.S.A.: State officials report 11 deaths last week!

Ohio, U.S.A.: A Phillipsburg firefighter died from H1N1. He had to be put into a coma, and for awhile it looked like he was recovering.

Oklahoma, U.S.A.: Five new deaths for a total of 25.  800 hospitalizations.

Oregon, U.S.A.: Health Authority FluBites claims the number of flu cases are going down.

South Carolina, U.S.A.: Eight new flu deaths for a total of 49. 25-thousand cases, more than 13-hundred hospitalizations!

Texas, U.S.A.: In Arlington, a woman made an unexpected recovery just one day before doctors expected her to die: “Doctors said a day later it would’ve been too late, because then I would have turned septic.”-Julie Shelley

The day before Xmas, Shelley was diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchitis, and hospitalized.  Turned out those conditions were caused by H1N1.  Hidalgo County Health Department reports 79 cases of H1N1, and 15 deaths.  County health officials say they are seeing a trend of people with diabetes being hit hardest by H1N1.  Denton County Health Department a 6th flu death.  Dallas County Health and Human Services reports two more flu deaths, and a third possible flu death.  Tarrant County reports its 8th flu death.

Washington DC, U.S.A.: City officials explained that trash pick up is being delayed because many garbage collectors are out sick with flu.