Ukraine Dead Increase to 328 - Still No Sequences
Recombinomics Commentary 19:17
November 17, 2009
1,457,564 Influenza/ARI
83,526 Hospitalized
328 Deaths
The above numbers are in the latest update from the Ukraine Health Department and include 13 more deaths.* Although the number of deaths has decline slightly from the prior two days, the increase in cases and hospitalizations suggest the decline in deaths may be temporary.* The largest increase in cases was again in Kiev (5522 to 109,676) and two other eastern oblast (see map) had daily increases of more than 4000 cases (Dnipropetrovsk and Denetsk).* The steady rise in deaths continues to increase concerns over an H1N1 genetic change leading to an increase in lung disease such as those described earlier.
WHO came out with a situation update which provided little specific information beyond earlier reports that the H1N1 did not have large changes.* However, the new update did indicate that WHO regional centers in London and Atlanta were still investigating isolates, suggesting there have been sequences changes that are not fully characterized.
Recently released swine H1N1 from other locations have included receptor binding domain changes at position 225 (D225E, D225N, D225G) as well as 226 (Q226R) raising concerns that similar changes in Ukraine cold lead to the high frequency of fatal lung infections (Q226R has been seen previously in human H5N1 as well as H3 isolates from swine, ducks, and seals).* The new update did not address receptor binding domain changes or other SNPs that could have significant effects on the pathogenicity of the virus.
Therefore, the release of sequences and comments on receptor binding domain changes would be useful
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/11170902/Ukraine_328.html
Swine Flu Continues To Spread In Moldova
November 18, 2009
CHISINAU — Moldovan health officials say the number of confirmed swine flu cases has risen to nearly 900, with 250 new cases recorded over the weekend, RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service reports.
On November 14, a 31-year old woman in the town of Falesti died of swine flu, raising the death toll from the virus to seven. The textile factory where the latest victim worked was closed and its 500 employees are undergoing medical tests.
Most schools in Moldova reopened today after one or two weeks of “medical” holidays caused by the outbreak of swine flu. Five colleges and high schools in the capital, Chisinau, remain closed until further notice.
Each of them has reported more than 10 cases of swine flu.
Most of Moldova borders western Ukraine, where the largest outbreak of swine flu in Europe has occurred.
http://www.rferl.org/content/Swine_Flu_Continues_To_Spread_In_Moldova_/1881827.html