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"Seqirus Media Monitoring" 11th Apr 2018

Seqirus mentions
Flu numbers already at six-year high in parts of Australia
According to The Advertiser, influenza numbers are at a six-year high in South Australia, before the cooler weather has even kicked in. The government will release turbo-charged vaccines specifically for people over the age of 65: Fluad and Fluzone High Dose will be available later this month and will be free of charge. Australian Medical Association Vice President Dr Tony Bartone explained that it was important for older Australians to wait for the new vaccine to become available.
Industry News
VaxArray rapid response to seasonal strain changes for influenza vaccines
InDevR expanded its license agreement with the Technology Transfer Program at the U.S. FDA to address strain changes recommended by the WHO for 2018/2019 seasonal influenza vaccines. The new VaxArray Influenza Seasonal HA reagent kit (v2.0) has improved sensitivity to the latest A/H3N2 and B/Victoria-like viruses.
hVIVO shares jump as it says year-end cash “markedly ahead of expectations”
On March 26, hVIVO announced initial results of a Phase IIb study examining FLU-v as a potential universal vaccine against influenza. The group said then that, although only indicating a trend to statistical significance of the primary endpoint, the results did demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in overt flu symptoms and gives the board cause for optimism that its investment in FLU-v - through its joint venture Imutex Limited - has potentially significant future value
Novavax Presents Data on Trials for Improved Flu Vaccine and Candidate for First RSV Vaccine
At the recent World Vaccine Congress in Washington, DC, Novavax representatives presented data from the Phase 1/2 trial of 2 trivalent formulations of its NanoFlu vaccine, which uses the flu strains recommended by the CDC and WHO and Novavax’s proprietary saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant. Unlike currently available licensed egg-based flu vaccines, the recombinant hemagglutinin proteins contained in NanoFlu reflect the wild-type sequences of the influenza viruses actually circulating in the community and thereby avoids the problems of egg-adapted mutations in HA known to arise from the egg-based flu vaccine production process.
Pandemic Influenza News

No News Recorded

Academic studies
Genetic screening tool identifies how the flu infiltrates cells
Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a genetic screening tool that identified two key factors that allow the influenza virus to infect human lung cells. The technique uses new gene editing tools to create a library of modified cells, each missing a different gene, allowing scientists to see which changes impact their response to flu. This in turn could identify potential targets for antiviral drugs.
Study: Topical antibiotic triggers unexpected antiviral response
A Yale-led research team made a startling discovery while investigating the effect of bacteria on viral infections. When they applied a common topical antibiotic to mice before or shortly after infection with herpes and other viruses, they found that the antibiotic triggered an antiviral resistance in the animals. The researchers confirmed neomycin’s antiviral effect in mice infected with the flu and Zika viruses, said Smita Gopinath, the primary author of the study.
Modified Inactivated Vaccine May Produce Immune Response as Effective as Live Vaccine
Vaccines containing inactivated versions of disease-causing germs are traditionally not as effective as live vaccines made with weakened pathogens. But new research from Weill Cornell Medicine scientists reveals how a molecule found in live vaccines produces a robust immune response, and adding it to an inactivated vaccine can create the same strong results. These insights may provide a blueprint for engineering more potent inactivated or “dead” vaccines that can deliver strong immunity while overcoming concerns about the health risks of live vaccines.
Factors Associated With Prolonged Viral Shedding in Patients With Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Infection
Data are limited on the impact of neuraminidase inhibitor treatment on avian influenza A(H7N9) virus RNA shedding. In this multicenter, retrospective study, data were collected from adults hospitalized with A(H7N9) infection during 2013–2017 in China. Corticosteroid therapy and delayed NAI treatment were associated with prolonged A(H7N9) RNA shedding. NAI combination therapy and double-dose oseltamivir treatment were not associated with a reduced A(H7N9) shedding duration as compared to standard-dose oseltamivir.
Pediatric influenza news
Infections during pregnancy could affect a child's brain development and memory function
Inflammation in a pregnant woman's body caused by infections like the flu or chronic stress can affect their unborn child's brain development, a new study has found. Experts warn the finding, which provides unprecedented insight into how the fetal brain develops, hammers home the need for pregnant women to get the flu shot
Thinking about getting your child the flu vaccine?
As Australia heads toward winter, health professionals and the public are anxious about another influenza season like 2017, when record numbers of Australians were diagnosed with flu. This year, children aged between six months and four years will be eligible for free flu vaccines in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia. In addition, children aged six months to four years who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (who are hospitalised from flu at twice the rate of other Australian children) and children of all ages with specific medical conditions are also eligible for the funded vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.
Flu vaccines for pregnant moms protect them against whooping cough
Researchers set out to establish whether giving mothers the flu vaccine while they were pregnant could protect them from getting the flu and protect their babies in this first six month period. They had two important findings: the study primarily found that giving pregnant mothers the flu vaccine protected their babies from getting the flu in the first six months of life - before they were eligible to get the vaccine themselves. The mothers themselves were also protected from getting sick from flu. A secondary analysis of the findings has shown that when the flu vaccine was administered to pregnant women they were also protected from developing whooping cough.
Over 65’s influenza news

No News Recorded

General Influenza News
New doses of influenza vaccine will be delivered throughout Chile
There were more than 10,000 cases of flu-related deaths in the United States during the period from October 2017 to February 2018. This fact has persuaded the Chilean Ministry of Health to bring forward the traditional flu vaccination period by a few weeks this year, thus, benefitting high risk group (children from six months to five years of age, adults over 65, pregnant women from the 13th week of their gestation and people with chronic diseases) with the opportunity to be immunized against the dangers flu poses a little earlier on in the season.
Community pharmacies administer almost 250,000 more flu vaccines
In England, community pharmacy teams administered at least 240,000 more flu vaccinations during this winter than last. The total number of vaccines issued via community pharmacies under the national flu vaccination service has been at least 1.2 million this winter, compared with 950,765 in 2016/2017. The total number for this winter is expected to rise further because some pharmacy teams did not use electronic systems to record their administration of vaccines.
‘Brisbane Flu’ included in this year’s vaccinations list after being named as one of the world’s worst
A strain of the flu that originated in Brisbane last year has been named as one of the most dangerous forms of the virus in the world. The influenza B bug, which has been named the Brisbane B virus, has been included in this year’s four-strain flu vaccination following recommendations from the WHO. Doctors around the country have been urging Australians to be vaccinated against the strain due to the high numbers – with the Victorian government even setting aside $50 million for state hospitals.
CQ flu cases double as QLD braces for epidemic
As Queensland braces itself for what is looking like one of the worst influenza seasons on record, Central Queensland locals are flocking to get vaccinated. A Queensland Health spokesman said the health authority was working hard to prevent a repeat of last year's season and was investing more than $2.3 million to protect communities.
Flu cases higher than this time last year
In Australia, a Brisbane doctor has broken ranks with colleagues, saying people should get their flu jab now. Deb Mills from Dr Deb the Travel Doctor has told mainstream media that people should get the flu jab now. “Basically you can’t tell when the flu is going to hit,” she told The Courier Mail. “If you wait (to get the vaccine) it’s a bit like Russian roulette.” Dr Mills said Australia doesn’t know enough about influenza to be “fussy” about vaccination timing.
If You Want Your Friend to Vaccinate Their Kids, Don't Try to Change Their Mind
When someone erroneously believes that vaccines are loaded with dangerous toxins, it's tempting to want to plop down reams of data and argue them out of that opinion. But a new review of vaccination research suggests that trying to educate people about the safety of vaccines just doesn't work. What did work, the research showed, were programs designed to alter behavior without any attempts at persuasion.
The Public Doesn't Take Flu Seriously Enough
This year marks a century since the deadliest viral outbreak in human history, which claimed the lives of 670,000 American men, women and children and as many as 50 to 100 million people worldwide. Among the lessons medical researchers gleaned from the catastrophic event is the critical importance of getting vaccinated against the flu. While low vaccine efficacy means that those who get vaccinated can still contract the flu, it remains common sense and good civic behavior to get vaccinated
SA could be in for a bad flu season
South Africa could be in for a bad flu season judging by how badly it had affected countries in the northern hemisphere. Dr Pete Vincent said that the severity of the flu season abroad was “usually an indication that we may also have a bad flu season here in South Africa”. Vincent said a flu vaccine was regarded by healthcare authorities and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases as one of the best ways to protect oneself against influenza.
Fears for horror flu season this winter as more than 3,000 people already become infected with the virus - making it the busiest start to the year in a decade
Queensland has seen more than 36 people struck down by influenza every day since the start of the year, threatening to eclipse last year's rampant outbreak, according to official statistics. Queensland Health insists it is trying to prevent another upsurge similar to last season and was pumping in more than $2.3 million to help communities.
Time to think about protecting family against the flu
In New Zealand, now is the time to think about the best way to protect your family from influenza this winter. The flu vaccine will be arriving in surgeries and participating pharmacies this week. April is the best time to get your annual flu shot, so you're protected before flu season strikes in winter.
Burden of disease
Type B influenza on the rise
A late-season strain of type B influenza has hit Washington and Idaho. Officials at Washington State University say while the type A influenza flu cases that broke out during this year’s flu season have diminished, the percentage of cases caused by influenza B virus are on the rise. According to the CDC, this season’s flu vaccine is more effective against influenza B than the A strain
One dead, 2 test positive for Swine Flu
In India's Uttarakhand State, the death of a woman and confirmation of swine flu in two more patients has jolted the state health department out of slumber. The department now is on alert on the spread of H1N1.
A 1 year and 3 months old baby was the 1st recorded H1N1 case in the district in 2018
The Health Department confirmed on Tuesday (10) the first case of H1N1 in the Federal District in 2018. A further 35 suspected cases are being tested and authorities are awaiting results for confirmation. The infected baby was hospitalized for three days in March but has since been discharged and is home. Health authorities did not reveal in which city the child lives, or in which hospital she was treated, due to privacy concerns
Goias will receive vaccines for a H1N1 flu vaccination campaign later this week
According to the Ministry of Health (MS), in the coming days flu vaccination doses will be distributed to Brazilian states, which will have full autonomy to launch their own flu vaccination campaign. The plans to date are to set the campaign in motion from April 23rd
Number of Flu Cases Dropping; Season Not Over
In the U.S., the number of flu cases is dropping, but flu season is not over. The CDC says many states still are reporting flu cases, with influenza B more frequently reported than influenza A. “The influenza season at this time has tapered off substantially," says Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic. "This was an especially bad influenza season and looks like from many metrics – influenza-like illness, hospitalization, death – this is probably the worst influenza season we’ve had in a decade.”
H3N2 flu virus, which caused havoc in the US, has now reached Brazil. Here is what to do
According to the latest epidemiological report, released by the Health Surveillance Secretariat of the Ministry of Health, 13 Brazilian states have already registered a total of 57 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome caused by H3N2 influenza. Of the total, ten patients have died, three of them in Sao Paulo. The circulation of H3N2 in Brazil is nothing new. According to the director of the Epidemiological Surveillance Center of the State Department of Health in Sao Paulo , Regiane de Paula, this flu virus has been traveling around the country for quite some time. The need for a way to combat the virus reinforces the urgency of people getting vaccinated against the flu in this year's immunization campaign. "The flu vaccine already has H1N1, H3N2 virus and a subtype of the influenza B virus baked into its composition."
Taubate confirms death of two young people due to flu; number of deaths now rises to four
The Taubate Epidemiological Vigilance confirmed on Monday afternoon two more deaths from flu, of two young people, in March. With these latest confirmations, the number of deaths caused by the influenza virus this year in the county rose to four. A vaccination campaign against the virus will begin on the 23rd. According to City Hall, the victims were a 19-year-old boy and a 20-year-old girl. One of the deaths was David Coelho Silva, who was a resident of Tres Marias Park, and was hospitalized at the UPA in San Marino.
Flu season slows down in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Washington and Greene counties, along with the rest of Southwestern Pennsylvania, may be seeing the end of the flu season. According to state Department of Health press secretary Nate Wardle, the number of flu cases has “dropped substantially” since the season’s peak in early February. Wardle said the peak happened Feb. 3-9, with more than 14,000 cases, “the highest number seen in recent years.”
Flu Surveillance in Animals
Health Agency finds more birds with flu after a harsh winter
A total of 13 birds have died of H5N6 influenza since the New Year in Denmark. The virus type is not dangerous to humans, and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration sees no reason for further restrictions. All 13 birds found dead from H5N6 have been wild birds.
South Africa: Boulders Beach Penguins Fall Victim to Bird Flu Outbreak
The penguins of Boulders Beach have been placed under threat by the H5N8 strain of avian influenza. State veterinarian of epidemiology Dr Laura Roberts said that 18 penguin deaths are suspected to be linked to avian influenza. Only four deaths have been confirmed to be as a result of the outbreak, she said.
Avian flu outbreak feared in coming winter
The South African Poultry Association says the effect of the deadly avian flu, which rocked the industry in 2017, could lead to less investment, job losses and loss of export markets. The association said it was bracing for another outbreak this winter. In March the Department of Environmental Affairs confirmed the spread of H5N8 avian flu to African penguins along the coast of the Western Cape, particularly Boulders Beach. There are fears this could affect poultry farms in coastal areas.

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