Articles: pandemics.
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Many schools throughout the United States reported an increase in dismissals due to the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic (pH1N1). During the fall months of 2009, more than 567 school dismissals were reported from the state of Michigan. In December 2009, the Michigan Department of Community Health, in collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted a survey to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of households with school-aged children and classroom teachers regarding the recommended use of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to slow the spread of influenza. ⋯ Knowledge and instruction on the use of NPIs appeared to be high among household caregivers and teachers responding to the survey. Nevertheless, public health officials should continue to explain the public health rationale for NPIs to reduce pandemic influenza. Ensuring this information is communicated to household caregivers and teachers through trusted sources is essential.
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Avian influenza A(H7N9) virus re-emerged in China in December 2013, after a decrease in the number of new cases during the preceding six months. Reassortment between influenza A(H7N9) and local H9N2 strains has spread from China's south-east coast to other regions. Three new reassortments of A(H7N9) virus were identified by phylogenetic analysis: between A(H7N9) and Zhejiang-derived strains, Guangdong/Hong Kong-derived strains or Hunan-derived A(H9N2) strains. Our findings suggest there is a possible risk that a pandemic could develop.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Jan 2014
Clinical TrialImmunogenicity and safety of an inactivated 2012/2013 trivalent influenza vaccine produced in mammalian cell culture (Optaflu®): an open label, uncontrolled study.
The present study aimed to evaluate immunogenicity and safety of the 2012/2013 seasonal influenza vaccine (Optaflu(®)) after the World Health Organization recommended two new strains for the composition. ⋯ In this trial, 126 subjects (63 adults ≥18 to ≤60 y, 63 elderly ≥61 y) were vaccinated with a single dose Optaflu(®) containing each of the three virus strains recommended for the 2012/2013 season (A/California/7/2009(H1N1)-like strain, A/Victoria/361/2011(H3N2)-like strain, and B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like strain). Immunogenicity was assessed by hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) and single radial hemolysis (SRH) assays on day 22, the safety profile was investigated throughout the whole study period.