Tag Archives: virus

U.S.

New Rotavirus vaccine could cause major intestinal problems!

18 January 2014 (23:04 UTC-07 Tango 17 January 2014)/16 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/28 Dey 1392/18 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

A seven years study by Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute warns that there is a risk of problems with Merck’s rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq.

Rotavirus causes norovirus like symptoms.  But the Merck vaccine could cause children to end up getting surgery on their intestines, as a result of intussusception (the intestines slide into each other like a telescoping telescope).

Similar results were found in a five years study on GlaxoSmithKline’s Rotarix.  That study was done by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The rotavirus vaccines require several doses, and apparently most of the risk of intussusception happens after the first dose, with little or no risk with the second and third doses.

International

Hepatitis vaccine kills more babies!

18 January 2014 (22:49 UTC-07 Tango 17 January 2014)/16 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/28 Dey 1392/18 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

An 11th baby has died after getting a Hep B vaccine.  The three month old boy died painfully 17 hours after being injected with Quinvaxem.

He is the 1tth baby to die in Vietnam since the beginning of 2013.  Since 2010 at least 33 babies have died in Vietnam after getting a Hep B shot.

China has shut down at least three Hep B vaccine makers, after 17 babies died there in 2013.

Vietnam did temporarily ban the vaccine, but UN World Health inspectors have told both Vietnam and China that there is nothing wrong with the vaccine.  Vietnam resumed vaccinations, and the baby deaths also resumed.

 

Influenza

Influenza: H1N1 shuts down courthouse! Medical incompetence almost kills 4 years old! Incompetence kills woman! Vaccine & flu tests not working?

17 January 2014 (15:40 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/27 Dey 1392/17 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Belize: Health officials confirm three people infected with H1N1. One of those, a 29 years old mother, has died.  There are several other people showing flu symptoms, but testing has been negative.

Alberta, Canada: Provincial health officials are dealing with a vaccine shortage.  They are now rationing the remaining flu shots in case of large outbreaks or for use in children under nine years of age only.  15-thousand vaccines are on order.

British Columbia, Canada: Kootenay health officials report nine confirmed cases of H1N1.  The Kelowna General Hospital reports they had to induce a coma in one 55 years old woman because of H1N1. The family thinks she got infected while on vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada U.S.A.

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: One person confirmed killed by H1N1.  16-thousand vaccinations are on order.  13-thousand people have already been vaccinated.

Spain:  Health officials report two elderly men died from H1N1.  At least 43 people hospitalized, with 18 under intensive care.

California, U.S.A.: In Fresno, a federal court judge has suspended all cases involving inmates from the Fresno County Jail.  This is because of an H1N1 outbreak in the jail, that’s already killed one inmate. In Milpitas, the Elmwood Correctional Facility reports an H1N1 outbreak.  The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services confirmed one man died of H1N1.  Solano county reports a person with chronic health problems was killed by H1N1. The county also reports ten new flu cases.  Tulare County reports a woman died from H1N1.  Kings County reports that three people have now died from H1N1. The USN is also encouraging all military personnel in the area to get vaccinated.  At this point at least 49 people in the Golden State have died from influenza, and another 50 deaths are being investigated “….and we’re still not at the peak of the season. This seems to be a season where more deaths are being reported.”-Gil Chavez, state epidemiologist

Idaho, U.S.A.: In Burley, a High School student showed up for school but became so sick he had to be picked up before lunch by his mom.  She took him to the doctor who immediately diagnosed him with H1N1.  The school was notified and they went into scrubdown mode. At least 50 other students were already out sick.

Indiana, U.S.A.: State Department of health says the number of influenza deaths are now at 11.  Last week it was three.

Louisiana, U.S.A.: “Our flu activity right now is very elevated.  The usual baseline is around 2.5% and we are well over 7%.”-Timothy Haman, CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital

Michigan, U.S.A.: In Kent County it was confirmed that three people died from H1N1.

Nebraska, U.S.A.:  Hall County reports two H1N1 cases.

New York, U.S.A.: Onondaga County Health Commissioner reports two deaths caused by H1N1.

Ohio, U.S.A.:  In Athens County, it was revealed that a 32 years old woman who died from H1N1 got the flu shot before getting sick. Doctors are baffled as to why she died: “We don’t know why she died. So far there are no answers, and that’s often the case….I’m at a loss to explain it.”-James Gaskell, Athens City-County Health Department

Oklahoma, U.S.A.: Department of Health reports 12 influenza deaths, 399 hospitalizations.

Oregon, U.S.A.: In Salem, a 52 years old woman didn’t recover.  She died from H1N1, after being diagnosed with bronchitis!  Hospitals are reporting that they are getting close to overcrowding with the number of influenza patients.  In Bend, officials with Saint Charles hospitals say if the crowding gets worse they will have to send Oregonians to hospitals in Idaho, Nevada or Washington.

Washington, U.S.A.:  In Vancouver, a 4 years old boy almost died because doctors failed to test him for influenza.  What’s even more unusual is that doctors tested his grandmother and another adult relative for the virus.  His grandmother says she demanded he be tested for H1N1 but says the clinic refused!  They were all sick, but have since recovered.  A doctor told a local TV station that flu tests are expensive and the clinic was probably trying to save money!

International, U.S.

Norovirus: 900 kids taken out in one day! More cruise ships hit! Prisons hit!

16 January 2014 (12:08 UTC-07 Tango)/14 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/26 Dey 1392/16 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Ireland: Letterkenny General Hospital psychiatry department closed due to norovirus.

“This is an abnormal situation. We want to investigate every possible cause.”-Terada Seiko, board of education

Hamamatsu City, Japan: 900 grade school kids, and more than 40 adults, at 14 schools were hit in one day.  Local education officials are suspecting the contracted food service, but investigations have yet to determine the exact source of infection.  Complicating the investigation is the fact that food for the schools are made at several different locations.  At this point only five victims tested positive for norovirus.

New Zealand: Reports say at least 60 passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship are sick with norovirus. The ship is being scrubbed before it sets sail on the next cruise.  Passengers for the upcoming cruise are worried, but told local news sources that the cruise line is not willing to refund their money, so they’ll take their chances.  The people who got sick on the previous cruise did so after the ship set sail from Australia.

Taiwan: Health officials claim a South Korean restaurant is to blame for making dozens of Taiwanese tourists sick.  They claim the employees at the restaurant tested positive for norovirus. It is possible to have norovirus and not have any symptoms.

United Kingdom: Multiple hospitals have wards closed due to vomiting bug.  They include Sandwell Hospital, Walsall Manor Hospital, Llandough Hospital, University Hospital of Wales, Morriston Hospital, Wigan Infirmary, Neath Port Talbot Hospital, Bridport Community Hospital, Alexandra Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

California, U.S.A.:  In Santa Rosa, the operators of a nursing home have closed the facility to visitation.  The director of the home published a statement which said they had to take “aggressive action” to stop a suspected norovirus and/or influenza outbreak.  In an example of continued misdiagnosis, an 88 years old patient said she was rushed to the hospital, being told she probably had the flu even though her symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea within an hour of eating.  Hospital test showed it was norovirus.  Even medical employees still incorrectly call gastrointestinal illness “stomach flu”.

Colorado, U.S.A.:  The mental ward of the Grand River Hospital declared an outbreak of stomach bug.

Michigan, U.S.A.: A Christian school was shut down after 30 student developed stomach illness. A doctor who obviously thinks lowly of children, blamed the children: “They rub their butts, they run around, they spread the feces.”-Puneet Gupta, Covenant Hospital

Texas, U.S.A.: 55 prisoners are now sick at the Livingston Polunksy Unit prison.  The first stomach bug cases hit prisoners on death row. The Polunksy Unit has 3-thousand prisoners!  Prison employees are also sick.

Oregon, U.S.A.:  Health officials report 19 new cases.

The U.S. CDC says norovirus accounts for as many as 800 deaths in the United States, every year.

Norovirus (aka Norwalk Virus), is a surface contact bug, meaning you pick it up by touching or eating it.  It is not influenza and there is still no vaccine for fast evolving RNA norovirus.  The only ‘treatment’ is to keep the sick person hydrated.

Exotic anti-biotic soaps can’t kill norovirus, or any other virus for that matter, because anti-biotics are only for bacteria.  Despite that, even hand ‘sanitizers’ made with alcohol can’t totally get rid of norovirus.   Guess what apparently works?  According to the U.S. CDC old fashioned hand soap is best.  Consumer Reports says to leave the soap on your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.  Also, in public restrooms use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door, do not touch surfaces with your bare hands after washing them.

Wash household surfaces with bleach.

The worse thing is that you can be infected and not have any symptoms.  An infected person can spread norovirus, yet not feel sick themselves. If you think you might be infected do not cook food for other people. People recovering from traditional symptoms of norovirus can continue spreading the bug for days after feeling better (some reports say weeks).

Idaho, Influenza

Influenza: Two more prisoners die from H1N1! More U.S. prisoners sick! More grade school kids sick! Canadians say H1N1 kill rate higher than expected! Shutting down banks? Idaho hospital says stay out!

14 January 2014 (15:28 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/24 Dey 1392/14 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

As of today, at least 27 Canadians have died from H1N1, despite millions of vaccinations across the Great White North. Pharmacies continue to report lack of vaccines.  The Canadian Medical Association Journal is reporting increasing concern over H1N1 infections. Specifically health officials are concerned with the kill rate: “There are more deaths than what we expect for the regular H1N1 influenza.”-Pierre Lebel, McGill University Health Centre

New Brunswick, Canada: A woman described as “in her midlife” became the 27th Canadian to die from H1N1.

Singapore: Despite what is happening in North America, Ministry of Health officials are telling people there’s nothing to worry about.  Now, two Citibank employees in Singapore are confirmed sick with H1N1.  Eight other employees are sick and being tested: “We have informed all employees on the precautions they should take and have distributed face masks and antiseptic wipes to all staff sitting on the same floor as those who are affected.”-Citibank statement to local news media

Alabama, U.S.A.: The Decatur Morgan Hospital reports four influenza related deaths.  They’re not sure what type of flu the patients had.  They are isolating all people hospitalized with flu symptoms.

Arkansas, U.S.A.: A women’s prison has cancelled all visitation after a inmate died, possibly from H1N1.  At least two of the other 899 prisoners are confirmed sick with flu.  Prison officials claim they’ve called in more medical staff.

California, U.S.A.: In Fresno, the 61 years old County Jail prisoner who was sent to hospital with H1N1 last week, has died. Prison officials admit that three inmates have been placed into an isolation “pod” because they have H1N1, at least nine other inmates (8 men, 1 woman) are sick, possibly with H1N1. Kings County reports a new death.  Merced County reports a new death. Sonoma County reporting an H1N1 death. Santa Clara county reports two new deaths, and 13 new “severe” cases. San Mateo county reports one death.  State health officials told California news media they expect the death toll to increase by Friday.  As far as how many people died who did not get a flu shot, officials have admitted that only two of seven confirmed H1N1 deaths did not get the flu shot.  Health officials said they weren’t sure about the others.

Connecticut, U.S.A.: The Department of Public Health says there are more than 683 flu cases, and they expect it to get worse.

Idaho, U.S.A.:  A second man has died from H1N1 in the Gem State.  He lived in Bonner County.  The first Idahoan to die this flu season lived in Twin Falls County.  In Bannock County, the Portneuf Medical Center is asking people sick with mild flu symptoms to stay away (see below).

Illinois, U.S.A.: Hospitals in Chicago are asking people to stay away, unless they have severe symptoms (see below).   Loyola University Medical Center reporting at least 147 cases, 31 in the past week.

Indiana, U.S.A.:  Allen County Sheriff’s Department reporting county prisoners are being made to wear masks.  News sources say there is an outbreak of influenza in the prison, but county officials will not confirm the reports.  Unnamed county health officials reported they had given prison officials kits to test prisoners for flu.  Prisoners are also being vaccinated (which is a total waste if there’s already an outbreak).

Iowa, U.S.A.: Department of Health reports a healthy child died from flu.  They are also investigating the deaths of “several adults”.

Louisiana, U.S.A.: After an eight years old girl died from H1N1 last week, school officials today revealed that at least two other students have H1N1.  Two girls have been allowed back in school after a doctor said they were better.  School officials say janitors are doing “extra” disinfecting.

Mississippi, U.S.A.: Jackson County reports 13 new hospitalizations for H1N1.   The Jackson County Medical Care hospital is now closed to visitors and new patients.

Montana, U.S.A.: State health officials report at least 101 hospitalizations as of 04 January.

North Carolina, U.S.A.:  Health officials are reporting that the first infant to die in their state this flu season, did so yesterday.  This brings the state’s flu death toll to 22, the majority being young and middle aged adults.

Texas, U.S.A.: In Dallas, a pregnant woman lost her unborn child to an influenza infection. She’s hospitalized at Baylor Specialty Hospital.  She can barely talk and has been sick since before Xmas.  State health officials are begging people to get the flu shot.

Utah, U.S.A.: In the past week three people died of flu.  So far five people have died this flu season.

Washington, U.S.A.: The Spokane Regional Health District reports that a woman with other health problems has died from flu.  Currently there are 135 people hospitalized with flu in the Spokane area.  Last year at the same time there were only 31 flu hospitalizations.

Many hospitals are telling sick people to stay away.  What they mean is that if you don’t have severe influenza symptoms stay away, because you’ll just spread the virus in the hospital.  Severe flu symptoms include the usual fever, coughing, aches, plus dehydration and difficulty breathing.  Especially difficulty breathing because that’s how H1N1 kills you.  Hospitals will isolate anyone with severe symptoms to try and keep the virus from spreading.

Anybody notice that H1N1 is targeting adults in their child bearing/rearing years?

Influenza

Influenza: Sudden spike in U.S. H1N1 deaths! No more vaccine? More medical incompetence! Cases increasing as vaccination rate increases! Medical coverup?

13 January 2014 (19:31 UTC-07 Tango 12 January 2013)/11 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/23 Dey 1392/13 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Alberta, Canada: Reports that clinics have run out of flu shots.  According to Canadian news sources Alberta’s Health Minister, Fred Horne, said they’re expecting 65-thousand more shots, but they are literally the last of the current global supply of flu shots!  At least one million people in Alberta have been vaccinated.

British Columbia, Canada: At least 17 people have died from H1N1. Pharmacies are running out of vaccines.

Nova Scotia, Canada: Two people have died from H1N1, and the province is running out of flu shots.

Ontario, Canada:  Health officials in Ottawa report that on 11 January they had 900 people show up for flu shots at “pop up clinics”.  The pop up vaccination clinics are in response to growing reports of H1N1 cases and deaths in the western half of Canada.  At North York General Hospital five people are so sick that they are now quarantined!

California, U.S.A.:  Several pharmacies in the Golden State are reporting they’ve run out of flu shots.  A 23 years old Santa Rosa man also died from H1N1. The man had been sick, thought he recovered, but then suddenly ended up in the hospital, going ‘Code Blue’ within hours of being admitted.  One of his friends, Tanner Petersen, said “Just this quickly, like boom, he goes from being completely fine to where we’re at right now.” Health officials in the San Francisco Bay Area are reporting 13 confirmed H1N1 deaths.  State health officials are investigating 28 other deaths.  Alameda County reports two deaths, Kings County reports two deaths, Fresno County reports one death, Merced County reports two deaths, Contra Costa County reports one death, Santa Clara County reports one death.  Most of the deaths took place after 01 January.   Marin County reports 20% of flu cases there are H1N1.  Stanislaus County reports a spike in critical cases of H1N1.  San Diego County reports that more than 80% of flu cases are H1N1.  The Fresno County Jail is in lockdown after an inmate had to be hospitalized with H1N1.  It only took two days for the virus to make the 61 years old man sick enough to be hospitalized.

Colorado, U.S.A.:  Department of Public Health and Environment reports 748 flu hospitalizations the week ended 04 January 2014.  Compare that to 263 two weeks prior.

Florida, U.S.A.: State health officials are warning that this flu season’s H1N1 could be more lethal than in 2009.  UF Health Shands Hospital reports 12 H1N1 deaths since October 2013.  A 47 years old Santa Rosa County paramedic has died from H1N1, his wife is now sick and hospitalized.  Jay Gajewski, the brother of the paramedic, said he was not aware that his brother and sister-in-law were sick, it was sudden: “The last text I got just said he and his wife were in the hospital.”

Kansas, U.S.A.:  The Chief Medical Officer for the University of Kansas Hospital explained why H1N1 is killing people: “They’ve got such a bad infection in their lungs that they can’t oxygenate their blood enough to keep all of their vital organs going…”-Lee Norman

Louisiana, U.S.A.:  An eight years old Bossier City girl died from H1N1.   She went to school on Tuesday, 07 January, got sick that night and died the next day!  I think everybody who has children who attend Central Park Elementary School need to keep their kids home and/or have them checked out by competent doctors, NOW!

Massachusetts, U.S.A: In Salem a 53 years old woman died, but health officials refuse to say why.  The woman’s roommate, Keith Rich, told local news sources she was sick with H1N1.  He also said that as soon as she was admitted to the hospital she went into a coma and died the next morning.  Rich stated that hospital officials told him, and others who knew the woman, to stay away from the hospital because they had been exposed to H1N1, and the hospital did not want any patients exposed.  He went to the news media because “It seemed to me like we need to let the general public know…”

Michigan, U.S.A.: Jackson County Medical Care Facility locked down after an influenza outbreak. Patients are being treated with tamiflu.  Washtenaw County reports two deaths, 200 confirmed cases.  Ann Arbor area pharmacies ran out of flu shots, and there are reports that those people getting sick with H1N1 are people with no other health problems.  Kalamazoo Hospital restricts visitation.  The Michigan Department of Community Health is warning college students.  Health officials are concerned as the students return to school after the end of year break, because so many people will be in close quarters and the H1N1 is targeting young adults.

Missouri, U.S.A.: Department of Health and Senior Services reports more than 6-thousand influenza cases! Local news sources point out that state health officials lump flu and pneumonia deaths together, so it’s hard to get a definitive death by flu count.  Barnes-Jewish Hospital reports nine H1N1 deaths.  35 people in intensive care. The age range of those who died were 20s to 60s.  Hospital officials say almost 100% of flu cases in their area are H1N1.  They also say being alive before 1957 could save you from H1N1: “Most people who were infected with flu before 1957 and are still alive today have some protection versus the current H1N1, because it’s closely enough related…”-Steven Lawrence, Infectious Disease Physician

Ohio, U.S.A: Lucas County reports two H1N1 deaths in the past two weeks.  Apparently the 62 years old woman, and a 50 years old man, got sick right after New Years Day and only got worse regardless of treatment. Mercy Health Systems confirms 71 cases of influenza in their hospital.  Toledo Hospital says 39 patients confirmed to have flu.  Athens County reports a 31 years old woman died from H1N1.

Pennsylvania, U.S.A.: Officials with Allegheny General Hospital say the main cause of death from H1N1 is oxygen starvation.

Texas, U.S.A.: A 41 years old man dies from H1N1.  The Christian family is trying to understand why he got sick and why doctors failed to help: “Remember that the good Lord will pick you up….[he had] no pre-existing medical condition…he didn’t smoke. He was perfectly healthy!……He laid down to take a nap and two hours later I went to check on him and found him [dead].….It scares me to death that it was not diagnosed properly!”-Lacy Waskom, widow

U.S.

Virus hitting hundreds of children in the United States, no it’s not the Flu! Hospitals telling kids to Keep Out! Keep kids out of school!

11 January 2014 (10:22 UTC-07 Tango)/09 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/21 Dey 1392/11 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

The Arizona Department of Health Services reports 164 cases of  RSV so far this season.  32 of those cases showed up this past week. More than 80% of the cases involve children under the age of five.

Hospital officials in the city of Phoenix are telling kids to stay away from the hospital: “Any kids less than 12, we don’t like them coming to the hospital because they obviously are at a higher risk of carrying those infections and passing them on.”-Wassim Ballan, Phoenix Children’s Hospital

In Houston, Texas, an outbreak of RSV has sent hundreds of children to the hospital since the beginning of the 2013/14 flu season.  Just one hospital, Children’s Memorial Hermann, reports that since October they’ve admitted more than 140 children for the viral infection.

RSV is not the flu, but it might just be what most people have called the common cold.  The ‘season’ for human Respiratory Syncytial Virus just happens to be the same ‘season’ as for influenza.

Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting a 45% increase in RSV cases in December 2013, compared to December 2012.  By the end of December 2013 there were 600 confirmed cases of RSV in Texas.  State officials admitted they do not track deaths, but also said they haven’t heard of any, yet.

RSV hits children hardest. There is no vaccine, and treatment is limited to trying to help the patient breath and observation.

In New Jersey, by the end of December 2013 there were more confirmed RSV cases than confirmed influenza cases.  120 RSV versus 16 flu (of course that might have changed by now).

A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases says grade schools are the main source of RSV infections.  The study was done in a rural area of Kenya, on the continent of Africa.  It concluded that “…for a high proportion of infant RSV infections, the source is from within the household and predominantly introduced by an elder school-going sibling…”-Wellcome Trust Research Program study

RSV also affects adults.  Another study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases says some transplant patients are at risk of getting RSV.  It involves hematopoietic cell transplant and lymphopenia: “This study identified a protective lymphocyte count level (more than 1,000/mm3), which might suggest that patients who acquire RSV during the first 100 days after transplantation do not require treatment if they have good lymphocyte counts. On the other hand, patients with the risk factors identified in this study may be good candidates for early antiviral treatment.”-Michael Boeckh, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Research Center

A study by the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation concluded that even though RSV is currently considered to mainly target children, older people are targeted as well, which challenges current beliefs that by the time most people become adults they’ve become immune to RSV.  At least 10% of hospitalizations of people 65 years of age, or older, for pneumonia is actually caused by RSV: “Knowing that adults’ susceptibility to RSV increases as they age is important for health care providers and public health officials to note as they treat and monitor respiratory illnesses this season.”-Edward Belongia, Director of the Epidemiology Research Center at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation

A troubling study involving mice suggests that getting sick with RSV as a child, and infected again as an adult is not a good thing.  The study was published in the Journal of Virology, it basically says your immune system has a short term memory regarding its encounter with RSV when you were a kid.  This immune system memory is called Innate Immune Pathogenic Recall Response: “Infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in neonatal mice leads to exacerbated disease if mice are reinfected with the same virus as adults……….These findings indicate a hitherto unappreciated role for the innate immune response in governing the pathogenic recall responses to RSV infection.”-Delayed Sequelae of Neonatal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Are Dependent on Cells of the Innate Immune System

The above study would also suggest that if a vaccine was made it would be of short term benefit only.

Influenza

Influenza: Deadly H7N9 makes a comeback! Allied with H9N2! Warning for pregnant women!

11 January 2014 (21:35 UTC-07 Tango 10 January 2014)/09 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/21 Dey 1392/11 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

A 38 years old man in China died today, the same day it was confirmed he was infected with H7N9.  So far this year there are at least ten human infections (150 human infections since the beginning of 2013, 45 deaths) involving a virus that is still considered a bird only flu.

At least four of the latest human cases had contact with poultry.  Six are in critical condition.

Chinese researchers have discovered that not only are poultry infected with H7N9, but they are infected with H9N2 as well.  Further research resulted in their conclusion that H9N2 (duck flu) is playing a role in the evolution of H7N9.  Genetic testing showed H7N9 genes containing genes from H9N2.

Restaurants, as well as poultry markets, are found to have the virus and massive cleaning is being undertaking.  A restaurant in Guangzhou Province was shut down and 27 employees are now under medical observation.

The Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning pregnant woman: “Our findings suggest that pregnancy might be a risk factor for clinically severe influenza in young women infected with H7N9 subtype virus.”

The Jiangsu CDC reported that a pregnant woman almost died from H7N9, having to undergo intensive anti-viral treatments.  They also pointed out that she had no contact with birds!

At least two people died from H7N9 in Hong Kong.  The Hong Kong Department of Health reports three new cases, for a total of 149 cases.

Taiwan reports two human cases of H7N9.  Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council issued a Yellow Travel Alert for anybody going to Shanghai.

The University of Melbourne, in Australia, found that some people are immune to H7N9.  It has to do with the lymphocyte CD8+ T.  Some people have it, some don’t.  Those that have it can fight off influenza better than those who don’t.

International, U.S.

Norovirus: Sandwich shop confirmed as source! People getting confused! Connection to influenza? Hospital officials beggin’ you to stay away! Royally incompetent doctors kill woman!

10 January 2014 (05:36 UTC-07 Tango)/08 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/20 Dey 1392/10 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

British Columbia, Canada: Catholic Providence Health Care reported seven cases at its Saint Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.  Visitors who insisted on entering the affected wards had to wear gowns and gloves.

Taiwan: The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control reports 246 Taiwanese tourists got sick in South Korea, with norovirus!  Taiwan complained to South Korea, saying the tourists got sick from meals arraigned by the travel agencies.

England, U.K.: An outbreak of vomiting bug has closed three wards at the Warwick Hospital.  All other wards are under visitor restrictions.  Officials at Leeds Teaching Hospitals report increasing number of people coming in sick with “winter sickness bug”.  Because there is no real treatment for norovirus hospital officials are telling people sick with it to just stay home!  A report showed that in the 2012/13 financial year the George Eliot Hospital had a total of 352 days of ward closures, blamed on norovirus!   The Musgrove Park Hospital reports an outbreak and asks that children under the age of 11 stay away from the hospital. Medway Maritime Hospital closed two wards.

Northern Ireland, U.K.: The BBC reporting that the Royal Victoria Hospital was backed up with a flood of sick people.  The scene was described as chaotic and hospital staff were “at their breaking point”.  The BBC says don’t blame it on norovirus outbreak, blame it on massive government health care funding cuts and layoffs, which resulted in other Northern Ireland hospitals rerouting new patients to Royal Victoria Hospital.

Scotland, U.K: Incompetent doctors at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary killed a retired woman by misdiagnosing her blood clot as vomiting bug!!!  The 77 years old woman went to the hospital for help twice.  She died after they sent her home the second time.  Despite what the Royal screw job doctors said she did not have norovirus, she had a blot clot in her bowel!  Health Protection Scotland is reporting that 70% of new hospital cases, in December 2013, were norovirus infections.

Kansas, U.S.A.: The Department of Health and Environment confirmed that a recent outbreak of norovirus was caused by a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop.  The shop was closed for two days of cleaning.

Minnesota, U.S.A.:  Health officials reporting coinciding increases in norovirus cases and influenza cases.

New Hampshire, U.S.A.: Health officials are noting a coinciding rise in norovirus cases, as influenza cases rise.  No hard-n-fast numbers given.

New York, U.S.A.: A local NBC affiliate reported that hospital ERs are filling with people sick to their stomachs.  The NBC affiliate didn’t give any hard and fast numbers.

Texas, U.S.A.: Health officials in the Dallas-Fort Worth area report coinciding cases of norovirus and H1N1, and people are getting confused: “You could be fooled, thinking that you have one and have the other. As far as norovirus goes, there’s really not anything we do for it other than supportive treatment, giving IV fluids if necessary.”-Glenn Hardesty, Arlington Memorial Hospital

Washington, U.S.A.: At least 11 people sick at a Fairhaven nursing home.  Nursing home officials are blaming it on a visitor, whom they think was sick with norovirus.

Wisconsin, U.S.A.: In Fox Valley, 16 people at a nursing home got sick.  Just like in Washington, nursing home officials blame it on a sick visitor.

The U.S. CDC says norovirus accounts for as many as 800 deaths in the United States, every year.

Norovirus is a surface contact bug, meaning you pick it up by touching or eating it.  It is not influenza and there is still no vaccine for fast evolving RNA norovirus.  The only ‘treatment’ is to keep the sick person hydrated.

Exotic anti-biotic soaps can’t kill norovirus, or any other virus for that matter, because anti-biotics are only for bacteria.  Despite that, even hand ‘sanitizers’ made with alcohol can’t totally get rid of norovirus.   Guess what apparently works?  According to the U.S. CDC old fashioned hand soap is best.  Consumer Reports says to leave the soap on your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.  Also, in public restrooms use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door, do not touch surfaces with your bare hands after washing them.

Wash household surfaces with bleach.

The worse thing is that you can be infected and not have any symptoms.  An infected person can spread norovirus, yet not feel sick themselves. If you think you might be infected do not cook food for other people. People recovering from traditional symptoms of norovirus can continue spreading the bug for days after feeling better (some reports say weeks).

Influenza

Influenza H1N1: Prisons incubating H1N1? Tamiflu resistant version hits Japan! Swedish study says medications making flu stronger! Targeting pregnant women?

07 January 2014 (03:17 UTC-07 Tango)/05 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/17 Dey 1392/07 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Alberta, Canada: Ten people dead, 300 people hospitalized, 1-thousand confirmed cases!

British Columbia, Canada: One person dead, 40 people hospitalized.  40% of infections are H1N1.

Saskatchewan, Canada: A 35 years old father of six died from H1N1.

Sapporo, Japan: National Institute of Infectious Diseases confirms that six people are sick with H1N1 that is resistant to Tamiflu and Rapiacta anti-viral treatments.  They are recommending the anti-virals Relenza and Inavir to treat H1N1.

Sweden: Studies underway at Umeå University and Uppsala University show that Tamiflu residues that end up in sewage actually make influenza stronger, and they blame Japan: “Our results show that Tamiflu’s active metabolite, secreted by human urine, is not removed in traditional wastewater treatment plants. We have been able to trace Tamiflu in river water in Japan during the flu season 2007/ 08 as well as in Europe during the influenza pandemic 2009. Japan is the country that uses most antiviral drugs in the world during seasonal flu.”-Hanna Söderström

California, U.S.A.: The Santa Clara County Health Department confirmed the Golden State’s first H1N1 death.  A 41 years old woman died back on 23 December 2013.  It took this long for medical tests to confirm she had H1N1.  But since then, two more Californians have died, a woman in Sacramento County and a woman in Orange County.

Colorado, U.S.A.: Department of Public Health and Environment reports 448 influenza hospitalizations, so far.   It was revealed that an Eagle County woman died of H1N1 on 28 December 2013.

Michigan, U.S.A.: Three more people have died of H1N1.

Nevada, U.S.A.: Elko County Health Department says H1N1 is dominant flu.

North Carolina, U.S.A.:  Department of Health and Human Services reports at least 13 influenza deaths, so far in the 2013/14 flu season.

Oregon, U.S.A.: Seven people now dead of H1N1.  At least 180 people hospitalized: “It can become bad, very quickly! In the time I’ve worked in the last two weeks, every shift has had at least one or two positive cases. At least one or two each sift have been admitted to the ICU.”-Mo Daya, Oregon Health & Science University

Texas, U.S.A.: Denton County reports two more flu deaths.  Dallas County reports eight deaths as of 04 January 2014. In the past week 60 people have been hospitalized in Dallas County, 23 of them pregnant women. Reports that at least 25 people have died in the Lone Star State.  In Nacogdoches, a family has gone public, explaining that their 53 years old mentally handicapped brother got infected while in the local jail.  His sometimes irrational behavior got him in arrested before.  This time he got H1N1 in jail and died!

Washington, U.S.A.:  EvergreenHealth Medical Center, in King County,  reports that three people have died from H1N1 in the past two weeks (one report said it was four people who died).

Wisconsin, U.S.A.: About 400 people hospitalized.  Health officials claim the H1N1 in their state is not as strong as it was in 2009.

The U.S. CDC reported as of 28 December 2013, 13 U.S. states have extremely “high” levels of flu like infections: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.