Tag Archives: influenza

Influenza

H5N1: Deaths in Egypt, more dead birds in Hong Kong, Vietnam tests new vaccine, USDA approves new vaccine

On 07 April 2012, a 36 year old woman went to an Egyptian hospital and died the same day.  She tested positive for H5N1.

She is the 5th Egyptian to die from H5N1 this year.  So far there have been nine confirmed human cases of H5N1 in Egypt this year.

In Hong Kong, at the beginning of April, a dead oriental magpie robin tested positive for H5N1.

Vietnam began testing the second dose of a new vaccine on 08 April.   1,000 volunteers from the provinces of Thanh Hoa and Ha Nam are taking the vaccines, they got the first dose in March.

The Vietnamese Army Medical Institute will make final analysis of the vaccine, according to European standards.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a new vaccine for poultry.

The vaccine maker, Ceva, says Vectormune HVT AIV vaccine has been tested against several types of bird flu viruses in different parts of the world: “Our research revealed such outstanding potency features and flexibility that we believe this vaccine can dramatically help in improving the control of Avian Influenza.”-Yannick Gardin, Ceva Santé Animale

 

Influenza

Medical Good or Evil: New electrical DNA driven synthetic flu vaccines, from company connected to Homeland Security

A company called Inovio Pharmaceuticals, has just received U.S. patent rights to  new synthetic flu vaccines, and their new vaccine delivery system.

The vaccines are “DNA-driven”, and operate by “electroporation technology”.

“Electroporation, or electropermeabilization, is a significant increase in the electrical conductivity and permeability of the cell plasma membrane caused by an externally applied electrical field. It is usually used in molecular biology as a way of introducing some substance into a cell, such as loading it with a molecular probe, a drug that can change the cell’s function, or a piece of coding DNA.”–Wikipedia

DNA-driven reaction: “A lab technique to mark highly repeated DNA sequences with a radioactive RNA tracer, by having a much larger amount of complementary DNA molecules than radioactive RNA tracer molecules.”–Lexic

Inovio claims their vaccines increase immune response four times more than standard vaccines.  This is due in part to their use of synthesized versions of various flu virus proteins, but mainly by introducing the vaccine at the DNA level.

The vaccine is coaxed into your cellular DNA through some form of electrical stimulation on your skin. Inovio claims that you get a better immune response when your body is threatened at the DNA level.

They have a universal influenza vaccine, called INO-3510, as well as a vaccine for H5N1, called VGX-3400X.  INO is entering Phase 1 testing.  Inovio claims VGX was successful in Phase 1 testing, with what they consider positive results for 72% of the test subjects.

This sounds good; vaccines that will finally stop the common cold, or flues?  But think about the DNA-driven part of it. Scientists have come up with a way that could be used to alter your DNA!

Here’s something else to be suspicious about, Inovio is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate Plum Island Animal Disease Center.

The primary/official mission of the Plum Island Center is to prevent foreign diseases from entering the United States.  Inovio has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Homeland Security to create synthetic DNA vaccines for animals.

The following quotes, made in December 2007, are from J. Craig Venter, a DNA pioneer:

“…I will argue that the future of life depends not only in our ability to understand and use DNA, but also, perhaps in creating new synthetic life forms, that is, life which is forged not by Darwinian evolution but created by human intelligence.”

“The genetic code will give us probabilities about disease risk and the ability to understand environmental factors linked to genetics.  Will governments, businesses and insurance companies pay the smaller amount in advance to prevent disease?”

“Our ability to read the genetic code is changing even faster than changes predicted by Moore’s Law.”

“…we described the ability to take a chromosome from one bacterium and place it into a second bacterial cell.  The result was astonishing, the new DNA that we added changed the species completely from the original one into the species defined by the added DNA. You could describe this as the ultimate in identity theft.”

“Now they can happen not just by random chance but by deliberate human design and selection.  Human thought and design and specific selection is now replacing Darwinian evolution.”

“Right now extensively modified bacteria are being used to make food additives and industrial chemicals.”

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.

 

 

 

Influenza

H1N1: Swine Flu spreading through India, local governments failing the public, oil rich North Dakota hit, death in Texas, Mexico more than 200 deaths

“There is a ‘sudden and sharp’ rise in the transmissibility of the swine flu virus this month. Usually, the virus transmission is not more than 1 or 2% during March. It is something unusual.”-A C Mishra, India’s National Institute of Virology

Indian health officials now reporting 211 cases from 5 states, and 16 deaths so far this year.

Some doctors say the virus is mutating fast: “…the virus itself has developed a new strain, which helps it to survive in warmer temperatures. While human beings develop immunity to the virus, the virus itself keeps transforming…”-Vijay Kumar Pawar, Aundh Civil Hospital

Some Indian states lack funding for health care, and as a result are actually ignoring cases of H1N1.

In the state of Ashok Gehlot the H1N1 death rate jumped from 5.87% in 2009-2010, to 27% for the 2011-2012 flu season!  Even though the state has finally set up facilities to monitor cases of H1N1, they have no vaccines available!

On March 19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 172 cases of H1N1 in the United States.

In the U.S. state of North Dakota, health officials say H1N1 has made itself known. Until two weeks ago flu cases were sporadic, now they are steady.

As of March 26, North Dakota has 365 influenza cases, four of which have been confirmed as H1N1.

“The good thing is the two viruses circulating most in the communities are in the vaccine. People that have been vaccinated would have protection against these viruses.”-Lindsey VanderBusch, North Dakota Health Department

In Corpus Cristi, Texas, a Nueces County woman died from H1N1, the first death since 2010.   She died on March 2, 2012.  She spent ten days in the hospital.  Apparently the information wasn’t made public until March 20.

In Mexico, health officials report 200 deaths from H1N1.  The Mexican state of Sonora reported its 6th death on March 14.  So far there are 274 H1N1 cases in Sonora, but that’s only 9th place compared to other Mexican states.

Guatemala is reporting 55 H1N1 cases, with four deaths.

Symptoms include sudden fever, running nose, sore throat, cough, problems in breathing, diarrhea or upset stomach, loss of appetite.  These are typical with many types of flu, however, if you have other health problems, or a weak immune system, you should see a doctor right away.

 

Influenza

H1N1: Swine flu killing people in India, affordable vaccine shortage, services forced to cut back on care due to lack of money

H1N1 is hitting one Indian city hard & fast, partly due to a shortage of vaccines.  In one week four people have died!  Five are in critical condition.

Pune officials had to destroy their stock of nasal spray vaccines because they had expired.  But there’s no shortage of other forms of more expensive H1N1 vaccines, just a shortage of cash to pay for them!

As of March 18, 2012, 58 people are confirmed infected with H1N1, with 15,000 people being tested for H1N1.  However, to cut costs officials have decided to restrict who gets tested for H1N1: “Only patients down with influenza like symptoms but having associated illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and other chronic illnesses as well as those falling in category A, irrespective of whether they have other co-morbid conditions or not, will be tested for swine flu infection.”-Pravin Shingare, Medical Education and Research (DMER)

On March 17, 2012, Mumbai state health officials called an emergency meeting.  They are trying to figure out the cause of such a sudden, and deadly outburst of H1N1.

So far they’re blaming lack of immunity caused by a new mutant strain of H1N1, and other medical conditions of the patient: “The last outbreak was reported over a year and half ago. The herd immunity people developed after that is on the decline hence people with compromised immunity due to pre-existing morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac illness, cancer etc are more susceptible.”-Pradeep Awate, state health surveillance officer

They also blame unusually cold weather for India: “The sudden cold wave in February following by the current transition period and difference in diurnal temperatures are favorable conditions for influenza infections like swine flu.”-Pradeep Awate, state health surveillance officer

Influenza

H5N1: Bird flu kills more than 15,000 in Nepal, Hong Kong finds more victims, yet more human cases in Indonesia

Nepal’s Animal Health Directorate reported that bird flu is spreading like wild fire in their country.  So far 15,160 chickens have died on just one farm.

Test results have finally come in, and confirmed it was bird flu. Now officials will begin killing off the rest of the poultry on farms that have had cases of bird flu.

This is devastating to Nepal’s poultry industry, and could result in a food shortage.

In Hong Kong, another wild bird was found dead.  The crow tested positive for H5 avian influenza.  Hong Kong has seen a number of wild birds dying from the virus, normally it’s domesticated poultry.

The wild birds had not been found near poultry farms.  The crow was found in a planter at a gas station.

Indonesia continues to have more human cases.  According to the UN’s World Health Organization, 18 people have become sick, with ten dying in the 2011-2012 flu season.

The latest death was a 24 year old woman who got sick with fever on February 23.  She died on 01 March 2012.  She worked at a poultry farm where chickens were infected.

 

 

Influenza

Pale Green Horse & H5N1: Korea hit by bird flu, wild birds die in Hong Kong, more cases in Vietnam, more human deaths in Indonesia, can be transmitted through your eye

South Korea officials reporting that bird flu has hit their country.  45 chickens died from bird flu, however, they are conducting more thorough tests to determine which strain of bird flu it was.

In Vietnam, officials thought they got things under control after more than 400 poultry died in February, but now, a new outbreak has been reported to the UN’s World Health Organization.

Bangladesh is reporting a fourth case of human H5N1 infection. The man was found to be infected, on February 26, after government mandated testing for live poultry market workers.  So far no deaths.

Indonesia has seen another human death from H5N1.  A 12 year old boy died on 21 February 2012.  He was in contact with poultry, but investigators say none of the birds are showing any sign of H5N1.

As of the beginning of March, farmers in Bhutan have killed off more than 1,300 poultry to stop the spread of H5N1 there.

Officials in Hong Kong are reporting an increase in the number of wild birds dying from H5N1.  Normally H5N1 attacks domestic birds.  It’s believed that wild birds can get it from eating contaminated chicken feed.  However, most of the dead wild birds in Hong Kong were not near any poultry farms.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says H5N1 can be spread by rubbing your eyes after handling sick birds.  The CDC said several types of flu viruses can travel through your eye and cause upper respiratory infection.

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.

PALE GREEN HORSE & H1N1: MEXICO HAS 166 DEATHS SO FAR FOR 2012, COSTA RICA SAYS FLU “UNUSUAL” THIS YEAR

Influenza

Pale Green Horse & H1N1: Mexico has 166 deaths so far for 2012, Costa Rica says flu “unusual” this year

Mexican health officials are reporting a 23% increase in H1N1 deaths, just in the past week!

So far 166 people have died from H1N1 swine flu, since January 1, 2012!  Mexican officials claim that 89% of the deaths involve people who did not get vaccinated.

U.S. health officials are encouraging people to get vaccinated.

In Costa Rica, officials there say they are seeing an increase in all kinds of flu cases.  At the end of January more than 419 people were hospitalized. At least three have died specifically from H1N1.

The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (Costa Rican Social Security) said the behavior of the various flu viruses has been “unusual in recent weeks”.

  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.

PALE GREEN HORSE & H5N1: ANOTHER DEATH IN INDONESIA, MORE CASES IN VIETNAM AND BANGLADESH

Influenza

Pale Green Horse & H5N1: Another death in Indonesia, more cases in Vietnam and Bangladesh

05 March 2012, Indonesian officials announced the death of the fifth 2012 victim of H5N1 bird flu.

A 48 year old man died on 03 March, after being treated at a local hospital.  Doctors at the hospital say the man died from multiple organ failure. They are conducting tests to confirm the H5N1 infection.  The man had already been to two other hospitals.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health says another man is sick with H5N1.  He got sick on 17 February, went into the hospital on February 21.  The H5N1 was confirmed on 25 February.  The 22 year old man is still in the hospital.

Vietnamese officials confirmed the man worked with domesticated ducks.

In Bangladesh, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) said it confirmed three more H5N1 cases. The three people both work in poultry markets. They say one of the workers has already recovered.

Bangladeshi officials say that you should not only fully cook poultry meat and eggs, but wash off the egg shells (and your hands) before cracking them open.

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.

Influenza

Vietnam claims success with new H5N1 & H1N1 vaccine

A Vietnamese company is claiming to have created a successful vaccine, to fight the latest mutations of H5N1 bird flu, and H1N1 swine flu.

VABIOTECH officials say they developed the vaccines by using people who were already infected. The first batch of vaccines showing positive results on volunteers.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is praising the company’s efforts.