Pandemic Flu or H5N1 influenza

The World Health Organisation said Friday that a mutation had been found in samples of the swine flu virus taken following the first two deaths from the pandemic in Norway. "The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has informed WHO of a mutation detected in three H1N1 viruses," the WHO said in a briefing note. "The viruses were isolated from the first two fatal cases of pandemic influenza in the country and one patient with severe illness," it said, although it added that no further instances were found in tests. The WHO revealed that a similar mutation had been observed in Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, ... Read Full Story

Health officials say swine flu cases appear to declining throughout most of the U.S., but the specter of Thanksgiving gatherings next week makes it hard to predict what will happen next. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that reports of swine flu illnesses were widespread in 43 states last week, down from 46 the week before. CDC officials also say reports have been increasing in a few states, including Maine and Hawaii. They say it's hard to know whether the epidemic has peaked or not, and many people will be gathering — and spreading germs — next week at Thanksgiving. Read Full Story

The World Health Organization says it is investigating samples of mutated swine flu found in two Norwegians who died of the virus and one person who suffered severe illness. Norway's Institute of Public Health announced Friday that the mutation "could possibly...cause more severe disease" because it infects tissue deeper in the airway than usual. But the global body says the same mutation has been found in mild cases while samples from other deaths around the world didn't contain the variant strain. WHO says "the public health significance of this finding is thus unclear." Some 680,000 Norwegians are estimated to have been infected with swine ... Read Full Story

A swine flu scare among students here has led to a sudden fall in attendance in schools and colleges in this union territory. Screening of students is done every morning by their class teachers and suspected cases are sent home. Over 500 students studying at various schools here were sent back after they exhibited flu-like symptoms. So far, 675 suspected cases of swine flu have been reported in Chandigarh hospitals, of which over 115 tested positive. The positive cases included over 50 students. Four private schools and two engineering colleges of Chandigarh, were closed down after their students reported flu-like symptoms. “We have clearly ... Read Full Story

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - People who have had repeated flu infections -- or repeated flu vaccines -- may have some protection against the new pandemic swine influenza, U.S. researchers said on Monday. They found evidence that the human immune system can recognize bits of the new H1N1 virus that are similar to older, distantly related H1N1 strains. "What we have found is that the swine flu has similarities to the seasonal flu, which appear to provide some level of pre-existing immunity. This suggests that it could make the disease less severe in the general population than originally feared," said Alessandro Sette, director of the Center ... Read Full Story

Ferrets used for avian influenza are in need of a tissue. Finally, scientists have found a way to test on animals by using ferret sneezes. Yes, they are making them sneeze. It is a very simple process for the ferrets, they put them to sleep and they run salt water up their noses. The result is a great big sneeze into a dish under their nose. This is important. The ferret snot is being used to study the avian influenza virus or ‘Bird Flu’. It seems that these little creatures can catch a few of the viruses that humans can. Mice do not have ... Read Full Story

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - People who have had repeated flu infections -- or repeated flu vaccines -- may have some protection against the new pandemic swine influenza, U.S. researchers said on Monday. They found evidence that the human immune system can recognize bits of the new H1N1 virus that are similar to older, distantly related H1N1 strains. "What we have found is that the swine flu has similarities to the seasonal flu, which appear to provide some level of pre-existing immunity. This suggests that it could make the disease less severe in the general population than originally feared," said Alessandro Sette, director of the Center ... Read Full Story