Swine flu pandemic peaks in Ukraine

After three weeks of panic, pandemonium and politics, the initial swine flu pandemic in Ukraine has peaked.

Today the government is expected to end a nationwide ban on public gatherings, lift travel restrictions and order the reopening of parliament, schools and universities in all but 11 regions.

But the country, with its anemic health-care system, is still reeling from having 1.6 million people fall sick with the flu, resulting in the hospitalization of 97,000 people and the deaths of 388 in three weeks.

Full Article: here.

WHO calls for ‘close’ watch on flu in farmers, animals

The World Health Organisation on Friday called for closer monitoring of farm workers and animals for influenza A viruses, following recent cases in a wider range of creatures than pigs

Although the WHO stressed that the cases were isolated and had no impact on the way the A(H1N1) swine flu pandemic evolved in humans, the UN health agency said recent findings may indicate broader potential for flu viruses to mix and mutate.

Pigs have traditionally acted as virtual mixing vessels for different flu viruses, allowing them to mutate into new forms that could be passed to humans.

Full Article: here

Panic in Ukraine over swine flu

Officials in Ukraine have closed schools for three weeks, imposed travel restrictions and are limiting public events as the country battles to stop the spread of swine flu.

More than 60 people are believed to have died of respiratory problems in the past week, and the measures are among the toughest to be implemented in Europe to tackle the virus.

Full Article: here

H1N1 outbreak at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital

Toronto Public Health confirmed today an H1N1 flu outbreak at Mount Sinai hospital.

While speaking to reporters in a conference room at Toronto Public Health’s downtown office, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, director of communicable disease control, confirmed the outbreak.

“It’s the only outbreak in a hospital that has been reported to us,” Dr. Yaffe said, without offering further details. A spokesperson for Mount Sinai could not be reached.

Full article: here.

See also:

H1N1 outbreak at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto Star)

H1N1 outbreak at Mount Sinai Hospital (CP24)

October 18-24 is 2009’s International Infection Prevention Week (US) and National Infection Control Week (Canada).

About National Infection Control Week (Canada)

In Canada, Infection Control Week originated in 1988 to highlight infection control efforts in Canadian hospitals, long-term care facilities and in the community. It was an opportunity for infection control professionals to educate staff and the community about the importance of infection prevention and to promote the important work that was being done by infection control professionals in a visible and fun way. In 1989 the federal government proclaimed Infection Control Week as an annual event. (from CHICA-CANADA)

About International Infection Prevention Week (US)

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the third week in October as National Infection Control Week and called all ‘federal, state, and local government agencies, health organizations, communications, media, and people’ to take part in educational activities and programs during this designated week. (from APIC)

To mark Infection Prevention Week, APIC is hosting live webinars on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, each dedicated to a particular “theme” in infection prevention. Tuesday’s webinar will be on “Collaboration“; Wednesday is “Hand Hygiene“, with a special focus on guidelines; and Thursday is “Surgical Site Infection/ OR Safety“.

If you don’t attend the webinars, you can still check out APIC’s educational brochures and guides, such as Tips to Prevent and Fight the Flu, Clean Hands Save Lives and Infection Control in an Emergency/Disaster Situation.

Scotland funds nurses returning in swine flu pandemic

Nurses and midwives returning to work in Scotland to help in any worsening of the H1N1 outbreak will have their re-registration costs paid for by the Scottish government.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has written to former members whose registration has lapsed in the previous four years to encourage them to re-register. This would make them available to employers in the event of a surge in the pandemic.

Full article: here.

Singapore launches program to ensure business continuity during flu pandemic

Singapore launched on Tuesday a program to help businesses remain undisrupted in times of a possible flu pandemic.

The Flu Pandemic Business Continuity Program targets to help at least 1,000 companies become flu pandemic prepared by the end of 2010.

It is part of a 30 million Singapore dollars (20.98 million U.S. dollars) National Business Continuity Management Program announced last year.

Full article: here.

Nasal spray flu vaccine becoming available

The long-awaited first vaccinations against swine flu — the squirt-in-the-nose kind — begin early next week in parts of the country, and states are urging people to be patient until more arrives.

…

“We’re moving this out as quickly as we can,” said Oregon’s public health director, Dr. Mel Kohn, who hopes shipments arrive in time to begin some vaccinations on Monday. “This doesn’t do any good sitting in a warehouse.”

Most states are aiming their first small batches at health care workers, hoping to keep them well enough to be on the job as cases of swine flu — what doctors prefer to call the 2009 H1N1 strain — are rapidly increasing nationwide.

In Chicago, firefighters will share first doses with hospitals, to get some emergency responders protected, too.

Full article: here.

Italy considers vaccinating players for swine flu

Italian soccer officials are considering large-scale vaccinations for players to protect against swine flu.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi told the ANSA news agency Friday that “the possibility of vaccinating all the players on every team is being considered.”

Full article: here.

School nurse shortage hampers swine flu response

As schools grapple with a resurgence of swine flu, many districts have few or no nurses to prevent or respond to outbreaks, leaving students more vulnerable to a virus that spreads easily in classrooms and takes a heavier toll on children and young adults.

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When the swine flu emerged last spring, it was a school nurse in New York City — Mary Pappas at St. Francis Preparatory School — who helped identify and curtail the country’s first major outbreak after she noticed large numbers of students complaining of high fevers and sore throats.

Full article: here.