H3N2 viruses fuel 'epidemic' levels of flu season deaths, CDC says
Deaths due to influenza and pneumonia have hit “epidemic” levels in the U.S. as flu activity became widespread in 36 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
Source: Los Angeles Times - Science - December 30, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
Seasonal Flu: H3N2 Influenza
Seasonal influenza (the flu) is a serious illness that infects millions of Canadians every year. It is a common infectious respiratory disease that begins in the nose and throat. It is highly contagious and can spread rapidly from person to person. Flu cases result in approximately 12,200 hospitalizations and, on average, 3,500 deaths in Canada each year. (Source: Disabled World)
Source: Disabled World - December 29, 2014 Category: Disability Tags: Influenza Colds and Flu Source Type: news
Seasonal Flu: H3N2 Influenza
H3N2 influenza is currently the most common strain of flu circulating in North America (Source: Disabled World)
Source: Disabled World - December 29, 2014 Category: Disability Tags: Influenza - Colds Source Type: news
MicrobeWatch: Influenza Update in Minnesota
Dec 22 - influenza A microbe watch graphic According to data from the Mayo Clinic Clinical Virology Laboratory, influenza activity has hit its peak in Rochester, Minnesota, and is widespread in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and 27 other states. The most common subtype is H3N2, which appears to be responding well to antivirals. Read more from Matt Binnicker, Ph.D., [...] (Source: News from Mayo Clinic)
Source: News from Mayo Clinic - December 23, 2014 Category: Databases & Libraries Source Type: news
Influenza Activity on the Rise NationwideInfluenza Activity on the Rise Nationwide
From September 28 to December 6, overall US influenza activity increased, with the current vaccine offering little protection against more than half of influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines - December 18, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pulmonary Medicine News Source Type: news
CDC Warns About Drifted Influenza A (H3N2), Recommends Antiviral Medications
A recent CDC Health Alert Network advisory said drifted influenza A (H3N2) viruses have been detected this flu season and recommended use of appropriate antiviral medications when indicated. (Source: AAFP News)
Source: AAFP News - December 9, 2014 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
CDC Health Advisory Regarding the Potential for Circulation of Drifted Influenza A (H3N2) Viruses
Influenza viral characterization data indicates that 48% of the influenza A (H3N2) viruses collected and analyzed by CDC were antigenically "like" the 2014-2015 influenza A (H3N2) vaccine component, but that 52% were antigenically different (drifted) from the H3N2 vaccine virus. Because of the detection of these drifted influenza A (H3N2) viruses, the CDC has issued a Health Advisory to re-emphasize the importance of the use of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications when indicated for treatment and prevention of influenza, as an adjunct to vaccination. (Source: PHPartners.org)
Source: PHPartners.org - December 5, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
CDC warns this year’s flu season could be severe
The current 2014-2015 flu season is nothing to sneeze at and the ability of this year's vaccine to help could be reduced, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this week.
Seasonal influenza A H3N2 viruses have been most common so far this year, CDC said.
"There often are more severe flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths during seasons when these viruses predominate," it added. "For example, H3N2 viruses were predominant during the 2012-2013, 2007-2008, and 2003-2004 seasons,… (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines - December 5, 2014 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
CDC: Dominance of H3N2 viruses may portend more deaths this flu season
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a warning for Americans: Get ready for a potentially nasty flu season. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
Source: Los Angeles Times - Science - December 5, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
2014-15 Flu Vaccine Not a Perfect Match to Circulating Viruses (FREE)
By Kelly Young
Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS
Roughly half of the circulating influenza A (H3N2) viruses collected in the U.S. early this flu season are antigenically different from the H3N2 virus included in this year's vaccine, prompting CDC … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - December 5, 2014 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
Flu Vaccine Doesn't Protect Against This Season's Most Dominant Strain
NEW YORK (AP) — The flu vaccine may not be very effective this winter, according to U.S. health officials who worry this may lead to more serious illnesses and deaths.
Flu season has begun to ramp up, and officials say the vaccine does not protect well against the dominant strain seen most commonly so far this year. That strain tends to cause more deaths and hospitalizations, especially in the elderly.
"Though we cannot predict what will happen the rest of this flu season, it's possible we may have a season that's more severe than most," said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Diseas...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - December 4, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
Flu Vaccine Expected to Protect Against Most U.S. H3N2 Viruses
Current vaccine projected to be more effective in 2018 U.S. flu season vs 2017 Australian flu season (Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge)
Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge - November 11, 2014 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Infections, Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Nursing, ENT, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Pulmonology, Journal, Source Type: news
Influenza Picking Up in U.S., Predominantly A(H3N2)
Influenza activity was low during October 2017, has been increasing since the start of November (Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge)
Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge - November 11, 2014 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Infections, Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Nursing, ENT, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Pulmonology, Journal, Source Type: news
H3N2 Influenza Outbreak Among Vaccinated Sailors H3N2 Influenza Outbreak Among Vaccinated Sailors
A quarter of the sailors on a US Navy minesweeper developed influenza A infection even though 99% of them had been vaccinated, highlighting the risk for outbreak in vaccinated, healthy, young persons. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines - October 24, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pulmonary Medicine News Source Type: news
Flu Outbreak Aboard Navy Ship Highlights Possibility of Illness in Vaccinated Populations (FREE)
By Amy Orciari Herman
Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS
An outbreak of influenza A (H3N2) among a largely vaccinated Navy crew in February 2014 demonstrates the flu risk that remains among … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - October 24, 2014 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
