H1N1 mutates and CDC issues travel tips despite slight decrease in cases

November 20, 12:10 PMSan Jose Family ExaminerKellie Tunbridge

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the San Jose Family Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) announced travel tips for the holiday season during a press briefing led by Anne Schuchat, M.D., Director of National Center of Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

States nationwide reported a decrease in H1N1 cases down 43 from 46 reports last week; however, there were 21 pediatric deaths reported bringing a national total of confirmed H1N1 pediatric deaths to 171.

Two-thirds of the pediatric deaths have been caused by an underlying medical conditions; while one-third of the pediatric deaths were caused by bacterial co-infection and advised clinicians to think about antibiotics along with antiviral medications. CDC stressed the importance of pneumococcal vaccines.

The CDC has issued a travel health campaign endorsing four steps to reduce the chance of influenza infection for holiday travelers as the possibility of strains could mix around the country as travel increases. According to CDC, influenza viruses are constantly changing.

A report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) announced findings of one particular H1N1 mutation of interest. According to Director General Geir Stene-Larsen at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, "we have analyzed approximately 70 viruses from confirmed Norwegian cases and found the mutation in only three patients.

NIPH stated that it seems the mutated virus might be a result of spontaneous changes in three of the patients and NIPH does not feel the change in the virus is of any importance for the effect of the vaccine or antiviral treatments.

Dr. Schuchat stated that overall there has been an increased peak in influenza than compared to previous years during the months of December through May. "We may have months or years ahead of us," said Schuchat, M.D.

CDC stated 10 regions reported a decrease in influenza activity and reports from several states, such as Maine and Hawaii have seen an increase. According to CDC, the nation may see a decrease; however, it does not mean every community or state is seeing a decrease.

CDC addressed the fact that it is not normal to see widespread flu before Thanksgiving and stated that it's critical to stay home if sick. CDC is concerned there may be an increase with H1N1 if everyone is not vigilant. 

According to CDC, 54.1 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine has become available for states to order and vaccinations for seasonal and H1N1 will continue to be administered first to the high risk priority groups. Individual states will focus on target populations first and once the demand has been met for the target groups, healthy adults between the ages 25-64 years will be vaccinated.

The total number of H1N1 cases in California have reached 6,069 hospitalizations and 318 deaths. In Santa Clara County 633 cases of H1N1 have been reported along with 12 deaths.

Santa Clara County will continue its H1N1 vaccination clinics this weekend. Location dates and times may be obtained from the Santa Clara County website.


CDC's Four Step Travel Health Campaign:

1. Travel well
2. Wash hands often or use alcohol based hand sanitizer
3. Cover your cough or sneeze
4. Get vaccinated especially if in the targeted group

   
For more info:

 

Receive e-mail alerts when new articles are available.
Just click on the "Subscribe" button above.