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Hong Kong's healthcare workers to refuse H1N1 vaccine, says study

According to a study released August 26, 2009 by the British Medical Journal, more than half of Hong Kong's healthcare workers surveyed said they would refuse the H1N1 shot, which is not yet available, because they are afraid of side effects and doubt how safe and effective it will be. More importantly, the study suggested the trend would be repeated worldwide.

3 Sep 2009

How to make the most of expiring health coverage

"Job loss or the fear of it has pushed more people to use their employer-sponsored health insurance before they lose it. Major health insurers have seen their medical costs rise in recent quarters, in part because people covered by employer-sponsored plans have rushed to use services before their benefits are cut off."

3 Sep 2009

Mexico's response to H1N1 outbreak praised by Associated Press

The Associated Press praised Mexico's response to the swine flu, or H1N1 outbreak, in a recent article.

3 Sep 2009

Arrayit receives patent certification from China

Arrayit Corporation (OTCBB: ARYC), a proprietary life sciences technology leader, announces that on August 31st, 2009 the company received a patent certificate from the most populous country on the planet, the People's Republic of China. The patent covers Dr. Mark Schena's microarray methods of genotyping multiple patient samples, commonly referred to as Arrayit's "Variation Identification Platform™" (VIP) technology.

2 Sep 2009

Bretford pioneers antimicrobial finishes on tables and carts

Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., manufacturer of dependable furniture products that improve how people work and learn, is the first to offer multi-surface antimicrobial finishes on more than 50 different tables and carts for learning and training environments.

2 Sep 2009

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus causes more severe disease than human seasonal influenza viruses

Preliminary findings in ferrets suggest that the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may outcompete human seasonal influenza viruses, researchers say. Tests in animals showed that levels of the 2009 H1N1 virus rose more quickly than levels of the seasonal virus strains, and the new virus caused more severe disease. In line with previous findings by other research groups, the University of Maryland researchers also observed that the novel H1N1 virus was transmitted more easily from infected to uninfected ferrets than either of the two seasonal influenza viruses.

2 Sep 2009

SUPERVALU PHARMACIES available to administer flu shots

With an eye on convenience, cost and consumer education, SUPERVALU PHARMACIES this year has expanded its traditional flu shot offering to help ease some of the anxieties the upcoming flu season may bring.

2 Sep 2009

Members of Independence Blue Cross will receive coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 vaccine

In an effort to help keep members healthy and flu-free this year, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will offer coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine when it becomes available. In addition IBC will continue to cover seasonal flu vaccine.

2 Sep 2009

Alpha Pro Tech to triple N-95 respirator mask production

Alpha Pro Tech, Ltd. (NYSE Amex: APT), a leading manufacturer of products designed to protect people, products and environments, including disposable protective apparel and building products, today announced that it will be tripling the average output of N-95 respirator masks that it has been producing since May, which will help accommodate Alpha Pro Tech’s current backlog and increase availability for the upcoming flu season/swine flu season.

2 Sep 2009

Single-dose H1N1 vaccine wins approval in China

The Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech Ltd. on Monday announced its H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine won the approval of a panel of experts from China's State Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press/Forbes reports. The company expects to obtain a production license later this week. According to the company, clinical trials of the H1N1 vaccine showed a single shot produced an immune response capable of protecting against H1N1 (8/31).

2 Sep 2009

Lab results shows H1N1 virus does not change into virulent superbug

A laboratory study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that some of the worst fears about a virulent H1N1 pandemic flu season may not be realized this year, but does demonstrate the heightened communicability of the virus.

2 Sep 2009

TeleForum to discuss H1N1 precautions on campus

In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's expectation of increased cases of H1N1 flu as students return to school this fall, Colorado-based Broadnet is offering a unique package of its virtual town hall service, TeleForum, to colleges and universities in an effort to aid communication with parents, communities and students.

2 Sep 2009

Despite financial crisis, Africa must focus on health, Rwandan President says at WHO regional meeting

Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the opening of the 59th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, urged delegates from across the continent to focus on promoting health, New Times/allAfrica.com reports (Nambi, 8/31).

2 Sep 2009

Advertising campaign launched to encourage Americans practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu

The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Education and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, have teamed up to launch a new, national public service advertising campaign designed to encourage American children and families to practice healthy habits and to take steps to prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The PSAs featured in this campaign can be viewed on www.flu.gov.

1 Sep 2009

H1N1 flu vaccine forms processing service launched by Quality Associates

Quality Associates, Inc. (QAI) www.qualityassociatesinc.com, an established provider of services and solutions for large-scale document management, imaging, and archiving, announced the launch of its H1N1 Flu Vaccine Forms Processing Service, a comprehensive approach to help states, cities, counties, and providers in the private sector successfully and accurately capture and record essential demographic and health data from medical consent forms – a critical step in the administration of the H1N1 vaccine to millions nationwide beginning this fall.

1 Sep 2009

Seeplex FluA ACE subtyping test enables simultaneous detection of four major influenza A subtypes

Seegene today released a new influenza A sub-type screening test, Seeplex FluA ACE Subtyping, that enables simultaneous detection of pandemic novel influenza A (H1N1), seasonal human influenza A H1, seasonal human influenza A H3 and avian influenza A H5 in a single reaction.

1 Sep 2009

VAERS calls for reporting of GBS cases following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) are requesting neurologists to report any possible new cases of Guillain-Barr- syndrome (GBS) following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination using the CDC and U. S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

1 Sep 2009

H1N1 cases on decline in Southern Hemisphere, WHO says

The number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases are steadily declining in the Southern Hemisphere as the region's flu season comes to an end, the WHO said Friday, the Associated Press reports (Engeler, 8/29).

1 Sep 2009

Also in Global Health news: Flu, cholera in PNG; improving life awards; HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; men and maternal/child health; MDR-TB in India

"Twin outbreaks of a flu-like illness and dysentery in a remote region of Papua New Guinea have killed 47 people and infected another 2,000 villagers, a senior medical official said Monday," Agence France-Presse reports. According to provincial health adviser Doctor Theo Likei, the WHO has collected and is testing samples of the virus from the "stricken villages" (8/31). Additionally, the country is experiencing a cholera outbreak - "the first time the disease has officially been confirmed in the country," the BBC reports (Mercer, 8/31).

1 Sep 2009

ViraCor-IBT Laboratories launches new influenza and respiratory virus testing service

ViraCor-IBT Laboratories today launched a new, comprehensive influenza and respiratory virus testing service that will assist physicians in detecting a range of respiratory viruses including 2009 Influenza A H1N1, or “swine flu,” as well as other influenza subtypes and common respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

31 Aug 2009