Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Poll reveals that 43% of American adults undecided about getting the swine flu vaccine

According to a new Consumer Reports poll, 43 percent of American adults say they're on the fence about getting the swine flu vaccine and just 34 percent of those polled plan on getting the swine flu vaccine when it becomes available. Additionally, a mere 35 percent of parents say they'll definitely have their children vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children over the age of 6 months get the vaccine.

1 Oct 2009

Injectible H1N1 vaccine ships ahead of schedule in U.S.

The first H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine shots available in the U.S. were shipped ahead of schedule after the pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis finished production nearly two weeks early, the chief executive of the company said Tuesday, the New York Times reports.

1 Oct 2009

Also in global health news: Tanzania's development initiatives; disease surveillance in West Africa; water, sanitation in Kenya, Malawi; doctor fights Lassa fever

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Tuesday commended Tanazanian President Jakaya Kikwete on the country's utilization of U.S. aid money and vowed her support for the country's future development projects, during a meeting in Washington, D.C., the Zimbabwean reports. "Pelosi hailed President Kikwete and his government for the commitment demonstrated by the campaigns against HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB and implementation of MCC programmes," the newspaper writes (Kulekana, 9/30).

1 Oct 2009

New technique developed to kill swine flu in any indoor environment

The swine flu has started to spread across the US and there is one company ready to stop it in its tracks. Premier Ozone of Charlotte, NC has developed a proprietary system to kill swine flu in any indoor environment and eliminate bacteria and mold in the process. The specialized system uses no chemicals and has been proven to kill over 99.99% of all surface and airborne viruses and bacteria. The process has no adverse effects on buildings or furniture and is not dangerous to the public.

1 Oct 2009

Update from BioCryst Pharmaceuticals regarding intravenous peramivir

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has delivered a written response to the request for proposal (RFP) announced on September 21, 2009 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for the supply of intravenous (i.v) peramivir for the treatment of critically ill influenza patients under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). BioCryst management intends to provide an update once the RFP process has reached a conclusion.

1 Oct 2009

NERAC launches public information campaign to prevent H1N1

As millions of Massachusetts children and teenagers returned to school this month, at the start of a serious flu season, the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC) has an important health message: "It's Up to You to Stop the Flu."

30 Sep 2009

The Replikin Count of H1N1 virus’s infectivity gene shows continued elevation

The latest H1N1 genomic data shows a 50% drop in the Replikin CountTM of the virus’s replikins lethality gene since its recorded highs in April 2009. In contrast, the Replikin Count of the virus’s infectivity gene showed a continued elevation.

30 Sep 2009

TheraDoc's patient safety surveillance system helps hospitals manage their H1N1 responses effectively

As the battle against the H1N1 influenza outbreak continues, hospitals are on the front lines, charged with identifying, treating, monitoring, and reporting flu cases—as well as preventing their spread to other patients and hospital personnel. To facilitate this arduous task, a growing number of U.S. hospitals are using a patient safety surveillance system developed by TheraDoc that helps them more effectively coordinate their responses to this serious public health threat.

30 Sep 2009

Aphios awarded NIH grant to develop pathogen inactivation technology for blood products

Aphios Corporation today announced that it has been awarded a RC-1 Challenge grant (No. 1RC1HL102822-01) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Health’s (NIH) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to develop a generally-applicable pathogen inactivation technology for blood products.

30 Sep 2009

Emergent BioSolutions receives NIAID funding support for dmPA7909 anthrax vaccine candidate

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced today that it was awarded a cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to further the development of one of Emergent’s advanced anthrax vaccine candidates known as dmPA7909.

30 Sep 2009

ANXeBusiness highlights the importance of disaster plan readiness during H1N1

ANXeBusiness Corp., a leading provider of networking and security managed services, today issued advice for IT organizations on the importance of disaster plan readiness, proper employee education and preparation for organizations to maintain business continuity during the H1N1 influenza pandemic.

30 Sep 2009

HHS to co-host "Know What to Do about the Flu Webcast "

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will co-host a Know What to Do about the Flu Webcast on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

30 Sep 2009

Disaster preparedness program on UCTV

Earthquakes, fires, floods, pandemics. The public relies on health professionals, emergency responders and trained volunteers to react appropriately to a range of disasters, big or small. But does everyone understand the systems that are in place to respond to these dreaded events?

30 Sep 2009

Presentations on seasonal influenza and H1N1 viruses

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar hosted a detailed talk about a virus that's causing concern around the world. The recent cause of an interruption in local school openings, H1N1 information was presented in timely fashion by Dr. Abdullatif Al-Khal, head of the communicable disease unit at Hamad Medical Corporation, and Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, Professor of Public Health at WCMC-Q.

30 Sep 2009

Portsys UK’s remote access appliance chosen to fight against pandemic threats

PortSys UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Portcullis Systems, Inc. a US-based company and a Microsoft™ and HP™ partner offering solutions for secure remote access, announced today that Fareham College, a Further Education College offering a wide range of full and part time vocational and academic courses in South Hampshire, has chosen Portsys UK’s Secure Application Access Gateway appliance to bring remote access options to the college.

30 Sep 2009

AMS’ products restore patient's pelvic health and their quality of life

American Medical Systems® (AMS), a leading provider of world-class devices and therapies for both male and female pelvic health, today announced the results of three major clinical studies that each point to a high degree of efficacy and patient satisfaction with AMS’ minimally invasive treatment options for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and vaginal prolapse.

30 Sep 2009

Therapeutic target for acute respiratory distress syndrome identified

Research led by Dr. Jay Kolls, Professor and Chairman of Genetics at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, has identified a therapeutic target for acute lung injury resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome, a highly fatal complication of influenza infection.

30 Sep 2009

Rite Aid and Atlantic General Hospital sign agreement to open Atlantic ImmediCare clinics

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) and Atlantic General Hospital and Health System today announced an agreement to open Atlantic ImmediCare clinics inside three Rite Aid stores in Ocean Pines and Pocomoke City, Maryland, and Millsboro, Delaware, this fall. The clinics, which will be open daily, will provide extended hours for care in the evening and on weekends.

30 Sep 2009

TGen's annual economic impact can grow to $321 million by 2025

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) provides Arizona with an annual total economic impact of $77.4 million, according to the results of an independent analysis released today.

30 Sep 2009

Study reveals that most Americans will refuse FDA authorized emergency use H1N1 flu vaccine

A majority of Americans would not take an H1N1 flu vaccine or drug additive authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, according to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and University of Georgia study. The study, available online today in Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, found that fewer than 10 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to take such a vaccine or drug and nearly 30 percent remained undecided.

30 Sep 2009