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"Seqirus Media Monitoring" 7th Jan 2019

Seqirus mentions

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Industry News
NanoFlu Influenza Vaccine Delivers More Good News For Seniors
The top-line results of Phase 2 clinical trial of NanoFlu were announced by Novavax. This clinical trial compared the safety and immune responses of various quadrivalent formulations of NanoFlu, with or without Novavax’ Matrix-M™ adjuvant, with 2 licensed influenza vaccines. And this study’s results look very positive, which is good news for seniors in particular. Novavax said it will meet with the FDA in the first half of 2019 to discuss the Phase 2 clinical trial data, the proposed Phase 3 trial design, and the use of the FDA’s accelerated approval for licensure.
Pandemic Influenza News

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Academic studies

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Pediatric influenza news
As flu is on the rise, mom says: 'I didn't know I was going to lose my baby' to the flu
Nineteen states now have high levels of flu activity, according to numbers released Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's more than double the number of states from the previous week. The number of children who died also increased. Two children's deaths related to the flu were reported in the week ending December 29, bringing the flu's death toll for children to 13 for this season. Crystal White Shield lost her 6-year-old daughter, Allison Eaglespeaker, to flu on December 1. Allison's mother wants other parents to be aware of how quickly flu can take a child's life. Her daughter died less than 48 hours after she first had symptoms of the flu. Dr. William Schaffner, who studies the flu, says that's not unusual; when flu kills a child, it often happens quickly.
Swine flu: Boy 'with cold' battles for life after he is tested positive
In the UK, a schoolboy thought to be suffering from a cold was fighting for his life last night after testing positive for swine flu. Robert Brennan, 14, has been in a coma for nine days with his mother at his bedside after their lives "changed in a heartbeat" on Christmas Day.
‘I Pray Everyday’: Mother Of 7-Year-Old In Coma With Flu Shares Heartbreaking Story
A 7-year-old girl from Lakewood, diagnosed with the flu, is in a coma at Children’s Hospital, according to her family. Flu cases in Colorado are on the rise and among the highest in the nation. Hue Vo said her youngest daughter did not get the flu shot. A family friend created a fundraiser, not only to raise awareness about low-cost flu shots, but to also collect donations to support Selina’s family.
Over 65’s influenza news
Flu vaccine uptake falls among over 65s
In Northern Ireland, uptake of the flu vaccine among the vulnerable 'over 65 years' population has fallen drastically to just half the group, according to the Public Health Agency. Latest figures show that while 66.8 per cent of those aged over 65 in Northern Ireland were vaccinated in 2017/18, just 52 per cent received the jab this year. Dr Kevin Kelleher, assistant national director for public health, said the H1N1 flu strain circulating is particularly serious for people under 65 with a pre-existing disease and pregnant women, causing chest problems which can bring on pneumonia.
General Influenza News
NHS to face triple flu winter crisis as hospitals struggle to cope with bad weather
Scotland’s NHS will struggle to cope this winter because of a triple whammy of flu, staff shortages and icy weather, experts have warned. Hospitals and GP surgeries are braced for chaos as figures show 20 per cent of calls to NHS 24 are already for flu-like symptoms. Fewer at-risk patients have taken up the offer of a flu vaccine for winter. The latest figures show that 33.8 per cent of at-risk people under the age of 65 had the jab compared with 36.3 per cent last year. Fewer pregnant women have also asked for the vaccine.
Six Feet, 48 Hours, 10 Days: How to Avoid Flu
As the flu season begins, William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, gives advice on dealing with the virus. Flu viruses readily mutate, so the strains contained in vaccines may not precisely match circulating viruses, reducing the effectiveness of the immunization. The vaccines in the last two flu seasons were only 40% effective. Still, Dr. Schaffner cautioned that people undervalue the partial protection vaccines offer. “Even if you get the flu after having had the vaccine,” he said, “you are substantially protected against the complications, pneumonia or death.”
Is It A Nasty Cold Or The Flu?
Dr. Yul Ejnes, an internal medicine specialist in private practice in Rhode Island and spokesperson for the American College of Physicians, explains how to differentiate between the flu and a cold. He explains that flu shots are the best way to avoid the flu, and how to deal with the illness, what red flags to be concerned about and when antivirals might be prescribed
Somerset GP's urge residents to consider alternatives to A&E as flu season begins
Doctors from across Somerset are urging residents to consider the alternatives to accident and emergency departments for urgent medical treatment and issued advice as flu season approaches. Doctors are advising people with flu-like symptoms to rest, drink plenty of water and take paracetamol where needed but they are reminding people, particularly the elderly, to seek medical advice before they become more seriously ill.
How Bad Is This Year's Flu Season?
According to the U.S. CDC, flu activity is widespread in 24 states, and during the last week of December, 4.1 percent of doctor’s visits across the U.S. were for flulike illnesses. It's too early to predict whether this will be a milder flu season. The CDC’s estimates of flu vaccination coverage as of November 2018 were several points higher than they were at the same time in 2017—which means more people could be protected from flu this season.
One child and seven adults die in space of five days as flu season gets off to deadly start in Hong Kong
The flu season got off to a deadly start in Hong Kong claiming the lives of one child and seven adults in the space of five days, health authorities said. Another 18 adults reportedly have severe cases of influenza, while a 6-year-old girl is critically ill with severe paediatric influenza. The girl, who is in the paediatric intensive care unit at the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong, fell sick on New Year’s Day, and according to authorities had not been vaccinated.
Flu risks are told to stay away from hospitals
In England, anyone with flu-like symptoms is asked to stay away from hospital says Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. The trust has been seeing increased incidences of flu among both its staff and its patients.
Flu symptoms: Expert warns of six key things you must do to prevent getting flu
Flu season is underway across Britain and virologist Connor Bamford has outlined six key ways to prevent catching and spreading the common winter illness. The first thing to do is to get vaccinated against the flu. Dr Bamford said: “The easiest way to prevent the flu is to vaccinate. “But there are a couple of other things that we can do to help that vaccine or make sure there aren’t opportunities for the flu virus to get to you."
Hong Kong enters winter peak flu season week earlier than last year with health officials urging elderly and children to get shots
In Hong Kong, influenza activity is expected to increase in the coming weeks as the city has entered the winter peak flu season, the health authorities have warned. Dr Wong Ka-hing, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, announced the start of the winter influenza season on Wednesday, around a week earlier than last year. According to Wong, 960,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine were administered by December 23, a more than 50 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. Almost 40 per cent of those who got jabs were children under 12 years old.
HSE warning over potentially serious flu strain
In Ireland, the Health Service Executive has warned that the virulent H1N1 flu strain is in Ireland and could become a potentially serious public health issue. The HSE's Assistant National Director for Public Health, Dr Kevin Kelleher, said that already a number of people - including those in the 20s, 30s and 40s - have been admitted to hospital intensive care units. Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One he said at least two, and possibly four, people have died.
Burden of disease
Flu activity ramps up across US as 2 more kids' deaths noted
In the U.S., influenza-like illness activity jumped from 3.3% to 4.1% last week, an indicator of increasing flu activity across much of the country, the CDC said in its latest FluView update. "The increase in the percentage of patient visits for ILI may be influenced in part by a reduction in routine healthcare visits during the winter holidays, as has occurred during previous seasons," the CDC said. The CDC also recorded two pediatric influenza-related deaths last week, raising this season's total to 13. Both deaths were associated with influenza A 2009 H1N1 viruses. Almost 90% (89.4%) of hospitalizations were associated with influenza A virus
Flu bug hitting Maritimers hard and early as vaccinations are lower
In Canada, the flu is taking hold in the Maritimes as the new year begins. It’s worst in New Brunswick, where the number of confirmed cases is already double what it was at this time last year and there have been three deaths. What isn't increasing is the number of people getting a flu shot, despite the reappearance of a once fearsome flu strain. In New Brunswick, the number of cases are double what they were this time last year.
Reports suggest that up to four people have died in the latest Swine Flu outbreak in Ireland
In Ireland, the HSE have advised of an an outbreak of the Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus), and up to four people are said to have died during the latest outbreak. According to the Irish Independent; “The HSE has confirmed it has identified the strain in a number of patients and warned it expects more people will be affected in the coming weeks.” Doctors and healthcare professionals are urging the public to get vaccinated to help protect themselves from the flu, especially those in ‘at risk’ groups
California's flu season death toll tops 40: report
So far, this flu season has claimed 42 lives in California alone. The death tally began in October, when flu season officially gets rolling across the country. Half the deaths in California this season are among people over 65. Though H1N1 tends to be a less harmful flu strain, officials have continued to advocate for flu shots.
One child and seven adults die in space of five days as flu season gets off to deadly start in Hong Kong
The flu season got off to a deadly start in Hong Kong claiming the lives of one child and seven adults in the space of five days, health authorities said. Another 18 adults reportedly have severe cases of influenza, while a 6-year-old girl is critically ill with severe paediatric influenza. The girl, who is in the paediatric intensive care unit at the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong, fell sick on New Year’s Day, and according to authorities had not been vaccinated.
Mississippi seeing spread of flu, state health officer says
The Mississippi State Department of Health says more cases of flu are being reported around the state. The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, says this includes outbreaks in nursing homes. Mississippi has had one pediatric flu death this season. Dobbs says flu shots are recommended for people 6 months and older.
Particularly brutal flu season sees 24 Canadians die
So far this flu season 24 Canadians have died, and more than 13,000 lab-confirmed detections have occurred across the country. 11,000 of those were variations of Influenza A, with H1N1 the dominant strain, an increase by nearly half over this time last year
France: pre-epidemic phase for the flu has been reached
In France, the flu season has finally really begun, with 5 out of 13 regions now in pre-epidemic phase. People are advised that it isn't too late to get their flu shot. Flu vaccination uptake seems to have gone up this year, and the vaccine also seems well matched with the circulating strains, although it is still early days
Flu activity "widespread" in Nebraska, according to CDC
Flu season is underway and health officials continue to stress the importance of getting the flu vaccine. Right now, flu activity in Nebraska is worse than all the surrounding states. According to the Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update from the CDC, Nebraska is now listed with "widespread" flu activity for the week ending December 22, 2018- Week 51. It was previously listed as regional.
Flu Widening Its Grip on the United States: CDC
The flu is now spreading throughout the United States, health officials said Friday. Since last week, when nine states and New York City were reporting high flu activity, 19 states and New York City are now seeing a lot of flu, and it's widespread in 24 states, according to the CDC. "The season is really starting to pick up," said Lynnette Brammer, the lead of CDC's domestic influenza surveillance team. The most common type of flu around is the influenza A strain H1N1
3 flu-related deaths so far this season for Southern Nevada
The Southern Nevada Health District has confirmed that 3 people have died this flu season. Two of the people were between the ages of 50 and 64 and the child was in the 0-4 age group. There have been a total of 68 people hospitalized in Southern Nevada. Two of the people who died were adults, one was a juvenile
Flu-related deaths rise to 10 in Arkansas
The number of flu-related deaths this season in Arkansas has risen to 10, state health officials reported Wednesday. One child's death has been linked to the virus in Arkansas, according to the state Department of Health. The child was younger than 4 years old. People between the ages of 45 and 64 have accounted for most of the deaths this season.
CDC says residents of Colorado, Georgia at highest risk for influenza
Based on laboratory testing, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said it believes the state has entered a period of more intense influenza activity. As of Thursday morning, 596 people had been hospitalized since the flu season started in early October. Twenty-five percent of them are over the age of 65 and 26 percent are under the age of 18. Based on patterns from past years, influenza activity is expected to continue to escalate, with peak activity starting now and ending in February.
Two children have died from influenza during Utah flu season
Two children have died in Utah because of the flu during the 2018-2019 flu season, according to the Utah Department of Health. Utah is among seven other states to experience a moderate level of the flu during the past week. Nationally, the number of people who become sick with the flu is on the rise.
Flu Surveillance in Animals
Bird Flu in Patna: Culling of 15,000 birds begins
In India, the culling of around 15,000 poultry birds has begun at Mubarakchak village in Jamalpur block of Munger district as the government stepped up its efforts to contain H5N1 avian influenza, which had now gripped two blocks in Munger, besides affecting the Patna zoo. So far, more than 500 samples of dead avian species, outside the Patna zoo, have been sent for laboratory tests to Bhopal. Results are awaited. The H5N1 avian influenza in the state has so far claimed lives of 200 birds, including seven peacocks and a khalij pheasant at the Patna zoo, which has been closed to public from December 25.

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