H1N1 Influenza Virus Update

It appears the the number of cases of Influenza and Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) is beginning to level off in the community. Dell Children's Medical Center have closed the H1N1 tents. During week 42 (the week ending October 24th), thirteen hospital laboratories and public health agencies across Texas reported conducting a total of 2,851 influenza tests (antigen, culture, and PCR) to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Below is a summary of their results. What this implies, is that all positive rapid flu tests are still considered H1N1. We do test for both Flu A and Flu B and we've had a few that were positive for Flu B.

Week 42
No. of specimens tested	2,851
No. of positive specimens (%)	670 (23.5%)
Positive specimens by type/subtype
Influenza A	656 (97.9%)
Subtyping performed	132 (20.1%)
A (novel H1N1)	132 (100%)
A (H3)	0 (0%)
A (seasonal H1)	0 (0%)
Subtyping not performed	524 (79.9%)
Influenza B	14 (2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H1N1 Virus's Genetic Makeup Appears to Be Staying Stable

CDC suggests forthcoming vaccine likely to be very effective in preventing the disease

MONDAY, Sept. 28 (HealthDay News) -- The genetic makeup of the H1N1 flu has remained stable, which means the yet-to-be-released vaccine is likely to be a good match for the virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced at a Sept. 25 media briefing.

According to the agency, genetic testing has found no changes in the virus. Because the forthcoming vaccine is such a good match with the virus, it is likely to be very effective in preventing illness.

In addition, even though the virus is continuing to spread throughout the United States, most cases are mild to moderate. The latest data suggest that the virus is not likely to become deadlier, according to the CDC officials. H1N1 also continues to affect mostly young adults and children. The vaccine for the disease is expected to be available in large quantities by late October.

"The vaccine that we have coming off the production lines shortly is a very good match -- in fact, an excellent match -- with the virus that continues to circulate, which suggests it is likely to be very effective in preventing illness," CDC director, Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., said in a statement.

                                                            Information from Skyscape Article by Andrea Mongler