Swine Flu in Idaho (Lewiston, Moscow: day care, colleges, to live in)

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Western gal

I noticed in the Idaho State Journal today Bingham Hospital has diagnosed the 4th swine flu case. Details on the victim such as age or sex weren't mentioned in the article. See page A6 of the Journal.

Good info, Western gal. The last time I checked, the Idaho State Journal was by subscription only. Maybe that has changed. Any other news sources you might be able to link here (post their links and a brief summary) so others may see the same info?

Idaho has had over 200 infections in the state. I'm wondering if that means Bingham Memorial Hospital has its 4th case of H1N1?

I'd encourage all to stay vigilent and ontop of the news. Your brain is your best defense to keeping yourself and those for whom you are responsible, as healthy as possible, IMHO.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

China has finished the first clinical trials for a vaccine against the H1N1 virus. The company's name is Sinovac.

The statements that China has already accumulated over 3 years worth of patient days after exposure to the vaccine, and that the Sinovac trial showed,
[b]".. .’ immunogenicity after one dose of its vaccine had "reached the international criteria for vaccines" '. " There were no signs of severe adverse reactions, it added,"[/B] concern me.

Hmmm. Lots of questions for me in this Reuters released article.

UPDATE 1-Sinovac says one-shot swine flu vaccine effective | Markets | Markets News | Reuters


"Its clinical trials were initiated in Beijing in July and inoculation was completed on Aug. 15, with a total of 1,614 participants over three years receiving the vaccine."

I'm going to assume that is an error saying "over three years receiving the vaccine," as I doubt China started working on H1N1 in 2006 when the bird flu isn't under control yet. I'm guessing what the author meant to convey, although I may be wrong, is the equivalent of 3 years of patient days, have been recorded for those patients who received the vaccination.

I wonder several things. First, how is it that China thinks it that one vaccination will get them past the world's "International limits," (which I personally take to mean - the lowest level possible to spread more vaccine to others) and no other pharmaceutical company has been able to make the same claim anywhere else in the world, at least that I've seen?

The U.S. named their big four pharmaceutical companies who would be making vaccines for U.S. residents and those in some other countries. I keep seeing two vaccines and maybe 3, depending on the source. Is this simply China doing the least amount possible to reach the "International limits," and pharmaceutical companies elsewhere making sure their vaccines are effective even if it requires to injections, or other? I don't know that answer.

I'm posting this article as I think it makes one think about H1N1 differently. It may be the # of U.S. deaths and infections could easily be managed, if we didn't have the world as a "virus factory." Also, I wonder if some of the U.S., and other western countries' reactions come, when China and potentially other foreign nations do just enough to pass inspection instead of having a higher level of prevention as expectation to be licensed.

I'm sure this road has been traveled previously with different pandemics and viruses scares. Certain countries know others will not deal with the prevention and treatment of additional H1N1 infections.

In other words, I'm wondering how many countries will do the bare minimum to get by while others knowing that not all the population will respond to the bare minimum dose are designing vaccines at a higher level to stop infection spread in countries like the U.S.

I'd be very interested to hear your ideas, thoughts as U.S. residents as I have a lot of questions about the U.S. vaccines too. What I KNOW for FACT and TRUST, given my own professional experiences, is the U.S. is not preparing clinical trials with all data to be at Data-Lock, having over 3 years of patient-exposure days, post vaccination of the experimental vaccine, and have all the data analyzed and released 34 days after clinical trials start. The FDA doesn't allow that much of a fast track to licensure. Additionally, the four companies making the vaccine will be in competition with each other with other products, so this is bigger than just the H1N1 Vaccine for them (meaning, their entire pharmaceutical line is at some risk, given the outcome of what each company produces).

Is it only me, or does anyone else remember when talk of a vaccine first started pharmaceutical companies DID NOT leap to the front of the line begging for this job, in the U.S.? I think I posted it here, under a different headline, nonetheless, I wanted to make sure the date was posted so people could decide for their ownselves how and which U.S. Pharmaceutical Companies got involved. I clearly remember the day Pres. Obama just happened to visit NJ in the area of the major pharmaceutical companies. Specifics of any meetings weren't reported then, but anyone who knows where the companies are and why companies DON'T want to be in the vaccine business etc. could guess between the lines on that press release.

I hope readers will post their ideas about vaccinations here so we can have a discussion. There are risks with every vaccine, just like there are with every medicine. Many medicines which were used 30 years ago wouldn't make it past the FDA guidelines now.

I'm interested in what different individuals think. How does one weigh the risk of vaccine vs. possible infection? Certainly, one's own health has to be a factor to consider, plus lifestyle. If I were traveling to China and Australia this year, let alone other countries with massive H1N1 infections, I'd have no qualms getting the vaccinations. Plus, some people, like me, will be required to have the vaccination for their employment, given what they do. However, if I could be a hermit who doesn't see anyone for six months, I may re-think that idea.

What factors do you think YOU'LL consider for yourself and anyone in your household when it comes to get the vaccinations? I'm very serious about this question and think we all can learn from each other.

Stay aware and prepare,

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

I have read part of the "infamous letter" discussed in a different segment of CDF, regarding GBS and Vaccinations. No doubt in my mind, the political, controversial etc. threads will be very busy with this infomration.

PLEASE, before anyone posts anything here which would force Sage to move this thread to a different section of CDF, Please consult with Sage yourself of how to post the information here so it can stay in the Idaho Forum.

I will be contacting Sage and sharing information I found. I do think it is important people are aware of what was sent in the UK letter to certain physicians, not US as cited below. Nonetheless, I would like Sage's thoughts of how we might discuss pros and cons for residents of Idaho (or their under-age children in Idaho or who may be living elsewhere), about this vaccination.

This site is a place to encourage all of you to seek more information. No expert advice here, except to post what the CDC and others have said.

I hope we all can find a way to discuss our concerns, not blame others or institutions for events in the past. It is my goal to try to keep residents as informed as possible, or to spark the interest so you learn more your own self as well as add resource links for you to review. This thread won't do what I intended for it to do, if it is moved to Politics, Controversies etc.

Please, everyone, give this some serious thought.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

School is starting and many states have districts with students already out with H1N1 (Swine Flu). Fortunately, this seems to still be H1N1 from 04/09doesn't seem to have been one of the few mutated versions reported in the world currently.

All schools are making contigency plans. Do you know what your school district is or will be doing?

Deseret News | H1N1 flu strain expected to strengthen in fall

Stay safe and well.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

"Idaho schools prepare for H1N1 swine flu"

Idaho schools prepare for H1N1 swine flu | Local News | Idaho Statesman

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Idaho has finally gotten some better information together in a central location. You may want to mark this site for future reference.

Idaho State Department of Education - Idaho H1N1(Swine Flu) Information for School Personnel

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

The contents of this article are found in many places. I'm honestlyl baffled. I selected a business journal in particular to illustrate how many people, even at work, have made no to few changes.

" MILWAUKEE – Worries about the spread of the H1N1 virus haven’t changed the majority of Americans’ hand washing habits, according to a national survey conducted by Bradley Corporation of Menomonee Falls, a leading manufacturer of bathroom and locker room furnishings, including sinks, faucets, hand dryers, showers and lockers."

"In Bradley’s first Healthy Hand Washing Survey, 54 percent of the 1,020 respondents said they “wash their hands no more or less frequently” in public restrooms as a result of the H1N1 virus."

"Influenza A viruses, of which swine flu is one, are fragile viruses that can be easily destroyed through proper hygiene, including use of soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizers,” says Dr. Judy Daly, spokesperson for the American Society for Microbiology, director of the clinical microbiology laboratories, primary children’s medical center, Salt Lake City. “Flu viruses most frequently enter the body when contaminated hands touch mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth. Frequent hand hygiene certainly makes this transfer less likely.”

The rest of the article is here.

WisBusiness.com

Please wash your hands with soap and water to help decrease all infectious diseases.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Probably many of you are like me currently: greatly concerned with what we hear out of some politicians and plans, such in MA, to allow elected officials to enter a home to quarantine infected patients.

I encourage all to watch those types of headlines and think if you want a government official in your home telling you whether or not you or a family member, or another resident in the home (or facility - where disabled patients live, psychiatric patients live etc.) are free to leave your home or not.

Norcalmom posted, I believe it was on page 18 of this thread, a short post about all liberties that could be lost. I'd encourage people to read it if you haven't so far.

Sadly, UT has reported another H1N1 death - a totally normal female under the age of 40 years old.

" She did not have any underlying health conditions, said Pam Davenport, spokeswoman for the Salt Lake Valley Health Department. No other information about the death was released."

"Children, especially those between ages 5 and 14, continue to be hardest-hit. That age group has made up 17.4 percent of all confirmed cases in the state."

http://www.sltrib.com/portlet/articl...556&siteId=297

""Most of these cases never get lab confirmation," said Lewis Garrett, director of the Davis County Health Department. " Lewis Garrett is someone I've never met but would like to. He had the courage and probably took tremendous pressure when he went public with some facts about the deaths in Davis County.

I've been asked by many, who do you trust? First, common sense. WASHING HANDS, the 6 FT. RULE, COUGHING in ELBOWS --which I was told this week by a parent of a young child is apparently being shown on Sesame Street - can anyone confirm that please? If so, maybe someone can post a link.

Secondly, read the political information, but also watch the number of deaths, the spread and the ages of the victims of H1N1 again.

Many people have forgotten than unlike traditional flu, H1N1 doesn't seem to be lethal for Sr. Citizens. The next time someone quotes the old # of X deaths/flu each year, ask what percent are Sr. Citizens or totally normal adults, as was this victim.

My condolences to the family/friends of this patient who lost her battle with
H1N1.

As I posted much earlier, H1N1 has never gone away, numbers have just stopped being recorded. I just hope this woman was screened and treated for the disease.

Please stay aware of the news - new infor is just out or coming about options in the vaccine, plus know who in your area can quarantine a family or person at home. Should that be a medical decision, or governmental?

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

The University of Idaho Argonaut - Campus officials prepare for H1N1

"At a response meeting on Tuesday, Dean of Students Bruce Pitman reiterated points President Duane Nellis and Provost Doug Baker made in a memo sent to all students and staff: those with the flu need to stay home and recuperate, and for the foreseeable future, instructors should not require students to provide doctor’s notes for absences. That policy will extend as long as necessary, perhaps through the entire semester."

"The Student Health Clinic on campus had already seen as many flu cases from morning to mid-afternoon Tuesday as it had in the previous week. UI has established a Web site for material relating to the pandemic, at http://www.uidaho.edu/H1N1.aspx. "

It seems most every university, school, hospital etc. now finally has info about H1N1.

For those who didn't see it, the official UI's website link about H1N1 is:

www.uidaho.edu/H1N1.aspx

I like people thinking ahead and making decision in lease pressured times, so sick students/faculty don't infect others.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

I saw a brief summary about this on the AP yesterday. More proof H1N1 never went away, it's just getting a chance to "mingle," at school. In this case, with 2,000 WSU students in Pullman. However, it fits, given that my earlier post was from nearby Moscow, ID - home to U. of I.

"Ms. Redman said the outbreak appeared about Aug. 21, during fraternity and sorority rush but before classes started. After that, she said, “it was rampant.”

"As many as 200 students a day have visited or called student health services, reporting sore throats, fevers as high as 104 degrees, muscle aches and coughs."

"[i]Dr. Moody said local health officials had become concerned as the virus spread beyond the campus. Two members of a local family were hospitalized after they showed symptoms, though both had other health complications, Dr. Moody said. He said they had since been released.[i]

This is a more comprehensive article than what the AP wrote about the students receiving kits with thermometers, "pain medications," throat lozenges etc.

www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/health/06flu.html

I urge you to monitor patterns in your local area. This is NOT a minor point:

"Ms. Redman said the outbreak appeared about Aug. 21, during fraternity and sorority rush but before classes started. After that, she said, “it was rampant.”

Watch the timeframe between exposure and symptoms being reported. Also, what type of symptoms. People have had such different symptoms with
H1N1 compared to the regular flu. Still, some patients did the typical flu vomiting, muscle aches etc. and others were strictly deep pulmonary and other major organs.

For any who have forgotten, I encourage you to go back to what I wrote in July as the break through from Pittsburgh regarding high risk groups/reasons why A/H1N1 is novel and why it doesn't behave like typical influenza virus. (At least I thik it was Pittsburgh). I posted the three highest at risk groups, and they do include pregnant women and what was DIFFERENT about H1N1.

Most flu viruses bother the UPPER Respiratory system, causing sneezing, post nasal drip etc. However, part of why A/H1N1 was named novel flu, is it has the ability to not only penetrate the deepest lung tissue, but to thrive in that anaerobic, warm, moist environement. Heat, doesn't inactivate this virus like the usual flu virus, if anything, the virus preferentially finds enclosed area like the deep lung as the perfect "replication ground." Think of the pregnant women being at higher risk. Doesn't a baby in a womb seem similar in a way, to deep lung tissue that is warmed in your body by your heart and other organs?

Please post if you know (even vaguely), of people who had H1N1 and know what their symptoms were when they had H1N1, or if they are still showing some symptoms or have noticed anything different about themselves. It will help a discussion to increase here and people can ask each other about symptoms, the duration or severity of the illness. Some people are at high risk, like those who immunologically suppressed and or pregnant women and others.

I know many, many people who had NO G.I. symptoms whatsoever. Yet, a few did. What they all seemed to have in common was all had a fever of over 102 degrees.......... and felt "different."

Plus, besides being prepared for the clinical illness, remember the great vaccination debate. Hopefully, I can post info fairly soon, as it is rumored different pharmaceutical companies plan to accomplish vaccination with a different amount of "injections" anywhere from 1-3 injections for the H1N1 vaccination.

It is time to say take care, prepare with food/medical supplies etc. you would need if your or other people were infected and had to remain at home for a week, and please STAY AWARE of what area of what is happening in your area of the state (plus surrounding states) with H1N1. You can keep yourself updated searching for new H1N1 information for your area. Now is a perfect time to learn which search engines or published web pages that have H1N1 information, is YOUR best source of updates.

You may be able to help others who read this thread with the news from your area posted here. Hopefully, anyone infected will experience mild case of
H1N1.

Thanks for you helping in monitoring this virus for yourself, your family, neighbors and friends, let alone any who visit Idaho.

MSR