Chinese society mobilized in fight against A/H1N1 flu Nov 10, 2009
China, severely subject to the onslaught of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 that killed 349 on the mainland, took the initiative this year in bringing the flu under control, particularly after a college freshman died of A/H1N1 hereon Oct. 27. Besides the vaccination, medical experts have offered traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy in curing and preventing the disease, and four different prescriptions filled specifically for the elderly, the pregnant, children and adults... (Xinhuanet, China)
Low-cost airlines gain ground against full-price rivals Nov 10, 2009
"The biggest thing that has happened in this industry over the past decade isn't 9/11, or recession, or SARS, or bankruptcies or mergers," says aviation economist Dan Kasper at LECG, a consulting firm in Cambridge, Mass. "It's the deep-market penetration by the low-cost carriers.". (USA Today -- Money)
Where can people get flu shots now that health department, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Costco, and Vons in El Centro doesn’t have any? Nov 9, 2009
Imperial Valley Press Online - Probe - Where can people get flu shots now that health department, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Costco, and Vons in El Centro doesn t have any. So what happens to people who still want to (and need to) get flu shots, but there are none available now. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Heres the point: Pandemic panic? Nov 7, 2009
Examples of these pandemics are the swine flu, bird flu, mad cow disease, the Ebola virus, and sars. In each instance, these diseases represented the outbreak that doomsayers predicted would mean our Judgment Day. (Kingston Mariner, MA)
Cough leads to swine-flu fist fight on New York Subway... Nov 4, 2009
During the SARS outbreak in 2003 one drunk Aussie knifed another drunk Aussie because the the victim of the knifing sneezed on the one who wielded the knife ... jpg","reviewed":true,"updatedAt":"20090813055530","username":"anonymous_user"},{"body":"I'm sure the 49% who are "laughing' after reading this article...would not be laughing if they were spit in the face by some lowlife, coughing hoosier...now WOULD 'YA????","createdAt":"4 Nov 2009 01:39:59... (The Drudge Report)
U of M part of $185 million funded team tasked to improve global response to emerging pandemics Oct 31, 2009
Although members of the RESPOND team will be dealing with diseases that don't yet exist, examples of similar diseases they might try to prevent include SARS, Ebola, and avian influenza. "USAID recognizes the critical need to address emerging illnesses from a global perspective, and to better understand the intersection between human and animal health," said Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum, founder of the Congressional Global Health Caucus. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
2-pronged protein attack could be source of SARS virulence Oct 30, 2009
GALVESTON, Texas Ever since the previously unknown SARS virus emerged from southern China in 2003, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston virologists have focused on finding the source of the pathogen's virulence its ability to cause disease. In the 2003 epidemic, for example, between 5 and 10 percent of those who fell sick from the SARS virus died, adding up to more than 900 fatalities worldwide ... Now, UTMB researchers have uncovered what they believe could be the major factor... (EurekAlert!)
Foreign Tax Cheats Find U.S. Banks a Safe Haven Oct 30, 2009
American banks are in fact required to file suspicious activity reports (SARs) for cash deposits over $10,000 or when they detect deposit patterns in lower amounts, known as "structuring." The problem is that the U.S. government is overwhelmed by more than a million of these reports a year. Computers can detect some irregularities, but these need to be combed through carefully by 85 SAR review teams combining FBI, IRS, DEA and U.S. Attorneys across the country. (Time.com)
Preparing for a pandemic Oct 29, 2009
The outbreak of H1N1, as well as diseases such as SARS and avian flu, has been a wake-up call to businesses to prompt them to develop formal policies around the management of disease outbreaks. Gone are the days of workers soldiering on and coming to work when unwell. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Opinion: Foer on eating animals Oct 29, 2009
At the time of the conference, H5N1 and SARS topped the list of feared emerging zoonotic diseases. Today, the H1N1 swine flu would be the pathogen enemy No. 1. (CNN)
Effort Launched To Find And Control Diseases That Move Between Wildlife And People Oct 28, 2009
Building on its long-standing programs in disease surveillance and response, USAID is developing these initiatives to help prepare the world for infectious diseases like H1N1 flu, avian flu, SARS and Ebola ... " Those conditions enable the spread of microbes, especially viruses and bacteria, from animals to humans. Among the 1,461 pathogens recognized to cause diseases in humans, at least 60 percent are of animal origin. Notable outbreaks of these animal-to-human diseases, or zoonoses... (Science Daily)
It was a great weekend for Georgia Tech. Now what? Oct 27, 2009
It was a great weekend for Georgia Tech. Mr. College Football. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Philips Visicu uses telemedicine on H1N1 Oct 27, 2009
The technology has been used to monitor other pandemics, including SARS.. Zachary Corrigan, executive director of the Northern Virginia Hospital Alliance, led the drill. (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
China confirms third swine flu death Oct 27, 2009
China has acted aggressively to detect and contain swine flu cases after being accused of failing to move quickly enough to stop the 2003 outbreak of SARS. Despite earlier measures such as strict quarantines, authorities say the virus is spreading from cities into the countryside. A patient died from swine flu on Sunday in the far western region of Xinjiang, the Health Ministry said Monday in a regular update, without providing details. (Florida Today)
UCD Aims To Prevent Global Pandemic Oct 24, 2009
"Those conditions enable the spread of microbes, especially viruses and bacteria, from animals to humans. Among the 1,461 pathogens recognized to cause diseases in humans, at least 60 percent are of animal origin.Notable outbreaks of these animal-to-human diseases, or zoonoses, include:The 1918 influenza pandemic, which was probably caused by a virus that jumped from birds, killed more than 50 million people globally. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which moved from chimpanzees to... (KCRA 3, CA)
Wildlife Conservation Society to expand health surveillance through PREDICT Oct 24, 2009
PREDICT is one of five initiatives being funded by USAID to help prepare the world for infectious diseases like H1N1 flu, avian flu, SARS and Ebola ... Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which emerged in 2003 from southern China "wet markets" where live wild animals are sold for food; and. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
FDA warns against online swine flu scams Oct 23, 2009
Some of the products appear to have been pitched for other emergencies, such as one called "Quake Kare" and masks and purifiers sold during the SARS scare. Federal officials have sent warning letters to promoters of more than 140 swine flu-related products, including well-known alternative medicine advocate Dr. for his "Immune Support Formula.". (USA Today -- News)
Swine Flu Vaccine Oct 16, 2009
Scared wrote on Oct 14, 2009 10:32 AM:" I think the main thing is that we all need to be scared. Scared of swine flu, bird flu, SARS, immunizations, health reform, too many taxes, too few taxes, pot dispensers, economies failing, WAR,liberals, conservatives,organic food, inorganic food, anything heard on TV or read in Blogs, or listened to on radio. It takes a lot of effort into being scared of all the things we're told to be scared of. Get the shot, overwhelmingly people are fine who get it.... (Montrose Daily Press, CO)
Paradigm shift needed to combat drug resistance Oct 16, 2009
However, the trend is contributing to substantial domestic and international public health threats and risks, as seen with SARS and more recently with the H1N1 flu virus. In a paper published today in Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID), a journal of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a McMaster University infectious disease expert explores the relationship between population mobility, globalization and antimicrobial drug resistance. (EurekAlert!)
Elsevier announces launch of Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology Oct 16, 2009
g., avian flu, SARS), development of spatial statistical and computational methods, and novel applications of geospatial technology (e. g., GPS, GIS) for shedding insights on exposure and disease processes. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million / ht / yr: Experts Oct 16, 2009
Among the outbreaks: a 2003 US outbreak of monkeypox traced to African rodents imported for pets, SARS in 2002, West Nile Virus in 1999, smallpox in the 1500s and syphilis in the 1400s. "The threat to public health is real, as the majority of emerging diseases come from wildlife," says Dr. Smith, who listed dozens of fevers, encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis among the health threats. (EurekAlert!)
Chat Wrap: Political Races, Health Care and More Oct 15, 2009
I've been following the news and some people say that it's really a serious thing to worry about, while some people say that it's overblown, like SARS or bird flu. What's the deal. (Townhall.com)
Should noninvasive ventilation be considered a high-risk procedure during an epidemic? Oct 13, 2009
Prohibitions against noninvasive ventilation were implemented during the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2003 because it was thought that flow from the mask increased the risk of infectious transmission to staff ... "During the SARS epidemic, the suggestion that noninvasive ventilation may increase the risk of disease transmission was considered sufficient justification to avoid its use. However in the 6 years since then, no convincing evidence has substantiated that theory.... (EurekAlert!)
HK health chief resigns over Sars Oct 13, 2009
Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong was heavily criticised in a recent Sars report ... Dr Yeoh was among several officials criticised in a recent report on the handling of last year's Sars crisis ... He was accused of paying too little attention to Sars when it appeared in mainland China, and issuing misleading public statements. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Public Attitudes To New Technology: Lessons For Regulators Oct 13, 2009
Public opinion also is easily swayed by catastrophic events like the Chernobyl accident, which galvanized opposition to nuclear power, and by news like reports of deaths from Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Europe, or from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or swine flu (the H1N1 virus). "It's much easier to destroy trust than gain it," Satterfield says, so after an event like a nuclear meltdown or oil spill, leaders need to "take responsibility for any consequences quickly and... (Science Daily)
World will miss 2010 target to stem biodiversity loss, experts say Oct 12, 2009
With respect to biodiversity and human health, scientist Peter Daszak of the US-based Wildlife Trust, says the emergence of new human diseases from wildlife such as HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and H5N1 avian influenza is a significant threat not just to public health and conservation but also the global economy ... "The single outbreak of SARS cost US $30-50 billion and a truly pandemic H5N1 avian flu outbreak would cost an estimated US$300-800 billion," says Dr. Daszak. (EurekAlert!)
* Ma calls for land law to prevent typhoon disasters Oct 11, 2009
If we prepare for every typhoon as a possible Morakot and every outbreak of infectious disease as another SARS epidemic, then the damage can certainly be reduced ... If we prepare for every typhoon as a possible Morakot and every outbreak of infectious disease as another SARS epidemic, then the damage can certainly be reduced, he said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
China Frees Dissident Physician Oct 11, 2009
BEIJING, July 20 -- China has released the dissident physician who became a national hero for exposing the government's coverup of the SARS epidemic, sending him home Monday night after 49 days of confinement aimed at pressuring him to disavow a letter in which he denounced the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre ... The decision to detain Jiang was a risky one because of the popular reputation for honesty and integrity he earned during the SARS coverup ... In 2003, two weeks after a letter he wrote... (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Taxing rental income Oct 11, 2009
Even if one does not receive it into ones own bank account, SARS will regard it as deemed income. There are, however, some deductions against the rental income that are allowed. (iAfrica.com)
Beijing hires a media guru Oct 10, 2009
In 2003, CCP officials reacted to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak first with silence and later provided false information about the real threat of the disease ... Official records from that time confirm that the CCP began to modernize its public voice during the SARS crisis. (Asia Times Online)
The Fearless Friday Forecast Oct 10, 2009
8:37 am October 9, 2009, by Tony Barnhart. Your Fearless Forecaster went 5-5 last week because he didnt know that. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Americans Line Up for H1N1 Vaccine Oct 8, 2009
A few years ago it was SARS, Bird Flu, West Nile Virus, etc. I'm not going to say that this isn't dangerous, but the lack of consistent information leads me to believe it isn't such a powerful threat. (CBS News)
Is Guanabanas too loud? Jupiter officials take it to the test Oct 5, 2009
Is Guanabanas too loud. Jupiter officials take it to the test. (The Palm Beach Post)
Medical Ethics Experts Identify, Address Key Issues In H1N1 Pandemic Oct 5, 2009
In the aftermath of SARS, JCB research showed that citizens understood and accepted the need for restrictive measures to control the spread of infection ... During the 2003 SARS crisis, poor communication between public health officials, health care workers and the public was cited as a major factor contributing to the confusion and even spread of the virus. (Science Daily)
Ethnic voters are Menino stronghold Oct 4, 2009
Chinatown s bustling lunch business had taken a dive in 2003 because people were afraid they might contract the SARS virus if they ventured into the neighborhood. So he did the thing for which he is most famous: He showed up. (Boston Globe)
Moving money abroad Oct 4, 2009
Prior to transfer, you need to obtain clearance from the South African Revenue Services (SARS) by means of a 'Tax Clearance Certificate' as well as from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). This allowance is once off and is known as an individual foreign capital allowance. (iAfrica.com)
Avoiding local fund managers Oct 4, 2009
Answer: You can apply for an offshore investment allowance yourself, just be warned that you will also need a clearance certificate from Sars saying that all your tax payments are up to date. The regulatory process for allowing offshore investment does not stop with Sars ... Sars only checks whether the taxpayer has a clear tax record. (iAfrica.com)
Surgical masks and N95 respirators provide similar protection against influenza Oct 2, 2009
"It's certainly good to know that the protective effect of a surgical mark appears to be, based on our data, similar to the N95," said Loeb, an infectious disease physician and microbiologist who is recognized nationally and internationally for his research on SARS, West Nile Virus and influenza ... Following the outbreak of SARS in 2003, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care mandated the use of surgical masks for all health-care workers providing care to or when within one metre of... (EurekAlert!)
Flu in perspective Oct 2, 2009
Billittier said ever since 9-11 Americans have dealt with real and perceived threats to their health, SARS and West Nile Virus among them. In comparison, he said, Swine flu is (practically) the disease of the month. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
First human gets new antibody aimed at rabies virus Oct 1, 2009
In addition to the HCV program, MassBiologics has discovered and developed human monoclonal antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), which have shown efficacy in Phase 2 trials, and to rabies which will be starting Phase 1 trials soon in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India. MassBiologics traces its roots to 1894, and since then has maintained a mission to improve public health through applied research, development and... (EurekAlert!)
Trade data at odds with improving economy signs Oct 1, 2009
SA Revenue Service (Sars) reported a R1. 98 billion monthly trade deficit yesterday, which brought the cumulative deficit for the year to R20. (Business Report, South Africa)
Airport test to stop arrival of Sars and flu 'pointless' Oct 1, 2009
Airport test to stop arrival of Sars and flu 'pointless ... Screening for flu or Sars at UK airports to try to stop a pandemic taking hold in Britain will not work, warns an article in this week's British Medical Journal ... Many people could be incubating the infection when tested but not show positive results because flight times are not long enough to allow flu or Sars to develop to the point of detection. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Sars patients can provide therapy Oct 1, 2009
Sars is caused by a coronavirus. People infected with the Sars virus can be treated by taking antibodies from others who have recovered from the disease, research shows ... Our approach produces protective antibodies that would provide immediate protection against the Sars virus. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Elderhostel changes name, if not image Oct 1, 2009
Mr. Moses called the past decade "a perfect storm" of wars around the world, SARS, hoof and mouth disease and the economy -- not to mention swine flu. "It's been a very tumultuous time. When Hurricane Katrina hit, it wiped out 3,000 enrollments at once. New Orleans was our biggest destination for programming in the U.S.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Cybercrime threat rising sharply Sep 30, 2009
Comparing virus-infected computers to people carrying highly infectious diseases like Sars, he proposed the creation of a World Health Organisation for the internet. "If you have a highly communicable disease, you don't have any civil liberties at that point. We quarantine people.". (BBC News -- Technology)
Swine Flu Could Wreak More Havoc On US Economy, Says Economist Sep 26, 2009
"The most recent case we have to study is the Asian SARS outbreak in the early 2000s, which negatively impacted a range of industries in Asia. The effects led to a regional loss of between 0.5 and 2 percent of GDP," Sutton says. "H1N1 impact predictions are based on examples like this one in which virus fears traditionally have had a negative influence on the economies of impacted regions. "However, the H1N1 preparation has been much better when compared to the response of health agencies during... (Science Daily)
XOMA to Develop Therapeutic Antibody for H1N1 and H5N1 Influenza Viruses Under $2.2 Million U.S. Government Program Managed by SRI International Sep 24, 2009
"We are using our advanced antibody development and manufacturing capabilities to produce therapeutic antibodies for important public health threats including SARS, botulinum toxin and now group 1 flu viruses." ... In July, XOMA announced a subcontract with SRI to develop novel antibodies to treat the virus that causes sudden acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.. (Primezone Releases)
Experts: U.S. should take lead to halt outbreaks Sep 23, 2009
WASHINGTON - The United States needs to lead a global effort to protect people from new outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases that originate in animals such as swine flu, AIDS and SARS, health experts said Tuesday ... Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, which may have come from civets, circulated for months in southern China before it spread globally in 2003, killing 800 people before it was stopped. (MSNBC -- Health)
Could Swine Flu Panic Be Worse Than Outbreak Itself? Sep 23, 2009
And headlines over West Nile virus, SARS, Ebola virus and the bird flu have all faded, at least for now. Often in a period of perceived crisis, people focus only on the benefit of certain precautionary measures, not the possible risks, Blumberg noted. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away Sep 23, 2009
In an update of a 2007 study, Dr. Tom Jefferson of the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group in Rome, Italy, and colleagues reviewed the results of 59 studies that looked at the effectiveness of strategies to reduce the spread of viral germs that cause respiratory diseases such as the flu and SARS. The new review appears online Sept. 22 in BMJ.. The researchers looked at studies that compared a number of strategies (quarantine/isolation, distancing sick people from healthy people through... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Swine flu virus has not mutated: WHO chief Sep 21, 2009
Swine flu in Hong Kong has raised fears of a repeat of the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, when almost 300 people died and concern about the mysterious disease turned the metropolis into a virtual ghost town. Chan managed Hong Kong's response to avian influenza and SARS during her nine-year stint as Hong Kong's director of health. (Yahoo! Asia News)
WHO says H1N1 flu virus has not mutated into more serious disease Sep 21, 2009
" onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next (Channelnewsasia.com)
When to Wear the N95 Masks to Preve... Sep 20, 2009
In addition to the swine flu and the normal seasonal flu, the N95 respirators also provide protection against other airborne infectious diseases like the SARS, tuberculosis, chickenpox, measles, German measles, Avian flu; especially for the health care takers. Thus it is evident that the indications for use of the N95 respirators and masks are limited as a protection against the Novel H1N1 flu. (Suite101.com)
Get your flu shots Sep 18, 2009
Respiratory infections also include diseases such as whooping cough, measles, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and tuberculosis. Germs called bacteria and viruses cause these infections. (Alpine Avalanche, TX)
Vaccine production Sep 18, 2009
Sinovac got headstart after creating a vaccine during SARS pandemic ... Sinovac was the first and only company ever to create a vaccine for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the worldwide pandemic that left almost 350 people in China dead ... The SARS vaccine was never used. (CNN -- World)
United Airlines' makeover aims to fix customer satisfaction issues Sep 17, 2009
To survive after the , the Chapter 11 reorganization, the expansion of low-cost carriers, and threats of communicable diseases such as SARS and now swine flu, it has shrunk. Last year, it flew 13. (USA Today -- Money)
Swine Flu Means $25,000 Chartered Flights to New York for Top Executives Sep 16, 2009
When SARS struck, people wanted to use a private jet, CEO Savile said. They didnt want to sit in an enclosed space with others. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Sars gets back to business Sep 15, 2009
Operations at the SA Revenue Services (Sars) were back to normal on Monday while the revenue collector waited for word from unions on whether their offer would be accepted, a Sars spokesperson said. "Everything is normal, it's fine," said Adrian Lackay. (iAfrica.com)
Global economy out of recession Sep 14, 2009
Marc Touati, economics research chief at Global Equities, a French financial services brokerage, says fears of a 1929 rerun, like swine flu, will soon join SARS and the Y2K computer bug in the annals of economic calamities that never materialised. There is a big catch though. (India Times)
Tracking disease globally Sep 14, 2009
We know this could be valuable from the point of view of early detection of emerging threats - we saw this with SARS, where the early reports were coming out of chat rooms, news media articles. We re putting surveillance data in the hands of the population, which essentially empowers people with data that really has never been available to them. (Boston Globe)
Common Viral Infection In Infants May Persist Long-term In Central Nervous System Sep 13, 2009
15, 2005) Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), by its very name, indicates a disease of the respiratory tract. But SARS can also infiltrate brain tissue, causing significant central nervous system. (Science Daily)
Sars in strike talks Sep 12, 2009
Earlier on Friday, Nehawu held an internal meeting about the Sars wage dispute ... Previously, Nehawu and the Public Servants' Association rejected a Sars offer of a salary hike of between nine and 11 percent ... On Friday, Cosatu's Free State secretary Sam Mashinini said it supported Sars's workers wage demands. (iAfrica.com)
American scholar praises China's population policy, warns of challenges Sep 11, 2009
She also talked about the epidemics the Chinese population will face, such as AIDS, SARS and H1N1 flu. She said in 2003 when China first had the SARS epidemic, the government response was not quick enough at the initial state, but this time when the H1N1 flu hit the world, China responded very timely and rapidly. (Xinhuanet, China)
Letters for Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Sep 10, 2009
just my guess, but perhaps they have in mind that (a) they are behind the 8 ball as to vaccines on this (b) SARS, being recent, had about a 10% mortality rate, and (c) the pre-civil aviation and modern shipping 1918 spanish flu had a similar mortality rate (ballpark) and killed 10s of millions. it does not appear the strong have much to fear here. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Is a Swine Flu Outbreak Getting Close? Ask Your iPhone Sep 9, 2009
The app is based on the same network of media and on-the-ground reporting that global health officials use to detect and track emerging diseases like H1N1 and 2003's SARS. Indeed, the first details of the strange respiratory disease, which surfaced in southern China six years ago, weren't published in a medical journal, nor were they issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) ... Because Chinese officials forbade official reporting of the new disease, the WHO and the rest of the international... (Time.com)
