Updating Russia's Flu Outbreak

http://www.influenza.spb.ru#10,958North America's flu season has been slow in getting started, but yesterday's unexpected CDC HAN Advisory on Severe Influenza reminds us there is plenty of flu season left , and that seasonal flu is always unpredictable.As mentioned last week, unlike North America (see An Update On The Russian Influenza Epi Report), Eastern Europe and Russia...

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CDC Adds 4 Destinations To Zika Travel Alert

Credit CDC Map & Data#10,956The list of countries where the Zika virus is currently reported to be transmitting increases every couple of days, and seems likely to do so for some time.  Overnight the CDC added 4 more destinations to their Zika Travel Alert: American SamoaCosta RicaCuracaoNicaragua This brings to 26 the number of countries and territories in the Americas...

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WHO Statements On Today's IHR Committee Decision To Declare a PHEIC

#10,955The World Health Organization has posted two statements on today's decision to declare the clusters of microcephaly tentatively linked to the Zika virus a Public Health Emergency Of International Concern (PHEIC).First, the committee's decision:WHO statement on the first meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005) Emergency Committee on Zika virus...

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WHO: Zika Virus & Microcephaly Constitute A PHEIC (Public Health Emergency)

#10,954Although a causal link between the Zika virus and the apparent spike in microcephaly in Brazil has yet to be established the World Health Organization has decided the recent surge in microcephalic births is reason enough to declare a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency Of International Concern).By itself, the Zika Virus would not be considered a public health emergency,...

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CDC HAN Advisory: Severe Influenza Illness Reported

#10,953North American seasonal flu activity has been pretty slow this winter, but in recent weeks we've seen some signs that it is beginning to increase (see Friday's FluView Report). Other parts of the world haven't been as lucky, and some areas are getting hammered pretty hard (see An Update On The Russian Influenza Epi Report) .Apparently the CDC is beginning to get...

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Hong Kong Screening Blood Donors For Potential Zika Exposure

Credit WHO/O. O’Hanlon#10,952One of the concerns with the Zika virus - particularly since testing is still difficult - is how to protect the blood supply from possible contamination.  Last week CDC's Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, M.D., during a press conference, indicated that our own FDA is looking at the issue of blood supply, donors, and travelers.Today...

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CDC COCA Call On Zika Virus - Webcast & Audio Online

Credit CDC #10,951Last week the CDC held a COCA Call on the Zika Virus that was not well publicized in advance, and so many clinicians were unable to attend the live broadcast. Over the weekend they've posted the audio, transcript, and even a video of the web cast on their website - along with ancillary materials - which you can now access.  Primarily of interest to clinicians...

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