H1N1 News and Research

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Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in Mexico and the United States in March and April, 2009. The first novel H1N1 patient in the United States was confirmed by laboratory testing at CDC on April 15, 2009. The second patient was confirmed on April 17, 2009. It was quickly determined that the virus was spreading from person-to-person. On April 22, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to better coordinate the public health response. On April 26, 2009, the United States Government declared a public health emergency.

It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.

Study shows potential for universal flu vaccine with broad antibody response

Study discusses the potential of universal influenza vaccines, emphasizing the importance of antibody breadth and Fc receptor (FcR) effector functions in protecting against various influenza strains, including those with pandemic potential.

15 Apr 2024

Higher COVID-19 death risk found in sickle cell disease and trait patients

UdeM's Stéphanie Forté and co-researchers in Canada and Brazil have shown how people with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait have a higher chance of dying from COVID-19 than the general population.

29 Feb 2024

Researchers develop promising recombinant flu vaccine using nanoliposome technology

Recombinant protein vaccines, like the Novavax vaccine used to fight COVID-19, offer several advantages over conventional vaccines.

24 Feb 2024

CDC studies show effectiveness of flu vaccines across all age groups

The prospect of the worrisome triple threat of COVID, RSV and flu was assuaged last year by the effectiveness of flu vaccines.

19 Feb 2024

New study finds 4’-fluorouridine effective against avian influenza in vitro and in vivo

A PLOS Pathogens study reveals 4’-fluorouridine effectively combats avian influenza in vitro and in animal models, showing promise as a treatment that overcomes resistance and reduces disease severity without significant adverse effects.

11 Feb 2024

Vaccines safe for pregnant women with HIV but show reduced immune response

A meta-analysis in eClinicalMedicine finds vaccines are safe for pregnant women living with HIV, showing reduced immunogenicity compared to those without HIV but no increase in adverse events, highlighting the need for their inclusion in vaccine trials.

9 Feb 2024

How does the nasal cavity's immune system combat SARS-CoV-2?

Researchers discovered that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in clearing COVID-19 infection in the nasal cavity but have limited impact on lung infections, with implications for understanding and treating the virus.

28 Jan 2024

Curcumin spray shows promise in fighting SARS-CoV-2 and flu viruses

A study in the Virology Journal reveals a curcumin-containing oro-nasal film spray with potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses, boosting mucosal immunity without cytotoxic effects.

24 Jan 2024

Paxlovid treatment in 20% of COVID-19 patients could avert 850,000 hospitalizations, save up to $170 billion

A study in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal shows treating 20% of COVID-19 patients with Paxlovid could save up to 0.85 million lives and reduce the economic burden by US $170.17 billion in the US.

14 Jan 2024

Previously unrecognized class of antibodies can broadly neutralize multiple virus strains

Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized class of antibodies-;immune system proteins that protect against disease-;that appear capable of neutralizing multiple forms of flu virus.

21 Dec 2023

Immunoregulatory nanomedicines for the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases

Study explores immunoregulatory nanomedicines for respiratory infections, highlighting their potential in enhancing treatment outcomes and vaccine efficacy.

7 Dec 2023

New 4-in-1 test can differentiate between swine flu, COVID-19, RSV, and influenza

The first case of a new strain of ‘swine flu’ has been detected in a human in the UK. The last swine flu pandemic killed 457 people in Britain alone. A leading testing expert says this strain looks to be very different but is urging Brits to take precautions.

4 Dec 2023

Study highlights variable use and rising costs of antivirals in treating pediatric influenza in the U.S.

The Pediatrics study analyzes trends in antiviral usage among U.S. children and adolescents with influenza, revealing significant variations in dispensing rates and costs, and low usage among children under six years, emphasizing the need for improved treatment strategies.

16 Nov 2023

New quantitative analysis of how flu viruses evolved may help predict future strains

Simon Fraser University researchers studying the evolutionary history of flu viruses have found that a new quantitative analysis of how they evolved may help predict future strains.

7 Nov 2023

New insights into why obesity puts individuals at risk for severe influenza

The mechanisms underpinning severe cases of influenza among the obese population.

23 Oct 2023

New mRNA flu vaccine shows promise: Faster to produce, highly effective in mice

The study evaluates the efficacy of a new quadrivalent mRNA influenza vaccine, finding it to be highly immunogenic and protective in a mouse model. Compared to traditional vaccines, the mRNA-based option offers advantages like reduced production time and elimination of the risk of growth-promoting mutations.

15 Oct 2023

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': An encore: 3 HHS secretaries reveal what the job is really like

This week, while KFF Health News' "What the Health?" takes a break, here’s an encore of a favorite episode this year: Host and chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner leads a rare conversation with the current and two former secretaries of Health and Human Services.

5 Oct 2023

Disparities in COVID-19 outcomes persist for American Indians/Alaska Natives

When the COVID-19 pandemic swept into New Mexico in the spring of 2020, seriously ill patients from all over the state were brought to The University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, where many wound up in intensive care, breathing with the help of ventilators.

1 Sep 2023

Native American COVID-19 patients more likely to develop severe disease, study finds

A study of COVID-19 patients at a New Mexico hospital finds that the virus hit American Indian patients particularly hard-;even though Native American patients had fewer other illnesses or conditions than non-native patients.

29 Aug 2023

Preventing the next pandemic: swine influenza genomic surveillance essential, study shows

Researchers explored the evolutionary dynamics of swine influenza A virus (swIAV) populations in Asia's southern and eastern regions.

10 Aug 2023