H1N1 (swine flu) weekly highlights: August 14-20, 2009

  • This week, World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 1799 people have died from H1N1 worldwide.
  • In the United States, federal officials urged businessesto prepare for a resurgence in swine flu. Recommendations included flexible sick leave, cross-training individuals with mission critical tasks, limiting face-to-face meetings and travel, and encouraging hand-washing.
  • The Health Protection Agency in the UK sent a letter toneurologists requesting they be alert for any increase in diagnoses of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). GBS,a sometimes fatal nerve disease, has been linked to the swine flu vaccine administed in the United States in 1976.
  • WHO reports that over 1 billion doses of vaccine have been ordered. As many companies report lower than expected yields, many countries, including the US, are warning their citizens of delays to planned vaccination timetables.
  • A second piggery in Australia has been quarantined due to swine flu.

 

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