Wisconsin is regarded as the premier influenza virus surveillance public health program anywhere in the country.
Public research and public health investments our state made over the 20th century spurred on by liberal, secular types at UW-Madison that laid the scientific ground for the political will to establish a sophisticated public health system.
Wisconsin's public health commitment was built upon pioneering work in Madison by some extraordinary people like Pete Shult and Jeff Davis, according to health and research authorities.
The Unites States would benefit from the Wisconsin Idea.
The Wisconsin Idea is unlikely to replicated while Republicans run Congress. See NIH director: Budget cuts delayed Ebola vaccine, treatment.
For a dose of sanity regarding viruses and public health, see:
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Influenza: A Disease at the Interface of Animals and Human Beings
Christopher Olsen, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Recorded April 17, 2009
Showing posts with label H1N1 virus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H1N1 virus. Show all posts
Jul 13, 2009
UW's Kawaoka: H1N1 Will Make 09-10 Flu Season Deadlier
Look for a dangerous H1N1 (Swine Flu) that could make an "especially deadly flu season in the United States this winter, UW-Madison research suggests."
David Wahlberg has the story in the Wisconsin State Journal.
See also:
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH)—[Updated resources for Wisconsin laboratories, testing sites, and health care facilities]
- U.S. CDC H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Info
- WHO (World Health Organization)
David Wahlberg has the story in the Wisconsin State Journal.
See also:
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH)—[Updated resources for Wisconsin laboratories, testing sites, and health care facilities]
- U.S. CDC H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Info
- WHO (World Health Organization)
Jun 19, 2009
Wisconsin's Top H1N1 Surveillance
Anecdotal news the last few weeks out of Milwaukee that the H1N1 virus is hitting professional families and today's report that the virus is now widespread in Milwaukee is cause for some alarm.
Below is an updated column on the Wisconsin influenza surveillance system that diagnoses such infections and is called the premier public health program of its kind in the nation, perhaps accounting for the large percentage of reported and confirmed cases here.
Wisconsin's H1N1 (Swine Flu) incidents reveal odd figures on the spread of the disease through the American population with 19 percent of all confirmed cases occurring in Wisconsin.
Of the 17,855 confirmed or probable cases in the United States (and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), 3,407 are reported in Wisconsin, equal to some 19 percent of the U.S. population, though Wisconsin comprises only one percent of Americans.
One is thankful for all those public research and public health investments our state made over the 20th century spurred on by liberal, secular types at UW-Madison that laid the scientific ground for the political will to establish a sophisticated public health system.
The public health commitment that has our A H1N1 (swine flu) numbers so high was built upon pioneering work in Madison by some extraordinary people like Pete Shult and Jeff Davis, according to health and research authorities.
Said Dr. Christopher Olsen, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Health at a lecture in Madison in April:
Scientists here discovered that "genetic mixing" of viruses causes Zoonotic Diseases - "diseases caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between (or are shared by) animals and humans," (Dr. Christopher Olsen) - in pigs for example, and that pigs can act as an intermediate host of viruses that can be transmitted to human beings like A H1N1 (swine flu).
These virus-mixing hosts (like swine that are uniquely susceptible to bird viruses and human viruses) provide a "phenomenally powerful way of generating genetic diversity," mutations that sometimes can lead to the creation of viruses that are destructive to human beings, said Olsen.
Olsen and others had conducted a study with results that "strongly support the hypothesis that people associated with swine production are infected with swine influenza viruses more regularly than the small number of zoonotic infections in the literature would suggest," published in August 2002.
Thanks to the work of UW-Madison, our state and the world are more prepared for the outbreak of emerging influenza than at any point in human history.
The current World Health Organization (WHO) phase of pandemic alert is 6, the peak phase of the pandemic.
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Influenza: A Disease at the Interface of Animals and Human Beings
Christopher Olsen, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Recorded April 17, 2009
Below is an updated column on the Wisconsin influenza surveillance system that diagnoses such infections and is called the premier public health program of its kind in the nation, perhaps accounting for the large percentage of reported and confirmed cases here.
Wisconsin's H1N1 (Swine Flu) incidents reveal odd figures on the spread of the disease through the American population with 19 percent of all confirmed cases occurring in Wisconsin.
Of the 17,855 confirmed or probable cases in the United States (and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), 3,407 are reported in Wisconsin, equal to some 19 percent of the U.S. population, though Wisconsin comprises only one percent of Americans.
One is thankful for all those public research and public health investments our state made over the 20th century spurred on by liberal, secular types at UW-Madison that laid the scientific ground for the political will to establish a sophisticated public health system.
The public health commitment that has our A H1N1 (swine flu) numbers so high was built upon pioneering work in Madison by some extraordinary people like Pete Shult and Jeff Davis, according to health and research authorities.
Said Dr. Christopher Olsen, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Health at a lecture in Madison in April:
Pete (Shult), diagnostic virologist [Director, Wisconsin Communicable Disease Division & Emergency Lab Response] at the state lab of hygiene [Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene(WSLH)] did his undergraduate and PhD studies here at UW and then joined the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene in 1988. Pete has created what I think is the premier influenza virus surveillance public health program anywhere in the country. Together with Jeff Davis, who is our chief medical officer for Wisconsin and our state epidemiologist, we are looked at as a state for having this wonderful model surveillance program.UW Public Research
Scientists here discovered that "genetic mixing" of viruses causes Zoonotic Diseases - "diseases caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between (or are shared by) animals and humans," (Dr. Christopher Olsen) - in pigs for example, and that pigs can act as an intermediate host of viruses that can be transmitted to human beings like A H1N1 (swine flu).
These virus-mixing hosts (like swine that are uniquely susceptible to bird viruses and human viruses) provide a "phenomenally powerful way of generating genetic diversity," mutations that sometimes can lead to the creation of viruses that are destructive to human beings, said Olsen.
Olsen and others had conducted a study with results that "strongly support the hypothesis that people associated with swine production are infected with swine influenza viruses more regularly than the small number of zoonotic infections in the literature would suggest," published in August 2002.
Thanks to the work of UW-Madison, our state and the world are more prepared for the outbreak of emerging influenza than at any point in human history.
The current World Health Organization (WHO) phase of pandemic alert is 6, the peak phase of the pandemic.
---
Influenza: A Disease at the Interface of Animals and Human Beings
Christopher Olsen, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Recorded April 17, 2009
Jun 17, 2009
H1N1 Virus Still Unpredictable
News that a Wisconsin adolescent died from H1N1 has health authorities on edge, though the virus strain is not as lethal as the normal seasonal flu bugs that hit the world every flu season.
But read between the lines of public health announcements and one perceives worry that the strain could become worse.
The world, with Wisconsin being a model state, has never been as prepared for the surveillance and treatment of a pandemic, but if H1N1 mutates into a more lethal virus, lots of unknowns follow.
This virus strain mutates of course and it evolves in unpredictable ways with unpredictable traits, and the fear is that it could mutate into a more deadly and aggressive strain that provokes the human immune system in a manner like the 1918 Spanish Flu.
Is this remotely possible? What are the odds? Reading the CDC and WHO sites, one won't find epidemiological odds makers on the capacity of a virus to become more lethal. Such is the nature of evolution.
No one serious is debating evolution now; instead watching how this strain evolves, and using science and rational public health messages to ward off a bad situation.
From the WHO - What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
But read between the lines of public health announcements and one perceives worry that the strain could become worse.
The world, with Wisconsin being a model state, has never been as prepared for the surveillance and treatment of a pandemic, but if H1N1 mutates into a more lethal virus, lots of unknowns follow.
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway. ...
WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
This virus strain mutates of course and it evolves in unpredictable ways with unpredictable traits, and the fear is that it could mutate into a more deadly and aggressive strain that provokes the human immune system in a manner like the 1918 Spanish Flu.
Is this remotely possible? What are the odds? Reading the CDC and WHO sites, one won't find epidemiological odds makers on the capacity of a virus to become more lethal. Such is the nature of evolution.
No one serious is debating evolution now; instead watching how this strain evolves, and using science and rational public health messages to ward off a bad situation.
From the WHO - What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Jun 7, 2009
Wisconsin's High H1N1 Cases Result of Top Surveillance
News last week of Wisconsin's first A H1N1 (Swine Flu) death reveals odd figures on the spread of the disease through the population.Of the 11,054 confirmed cases in the United States (and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), 2,071 are reported in Wisconsin, equal to some 18 percent of all confirmed American cases, though Wisconsin has only 1 percent of the American population.
Health authorities point out the influenza surveillance system in Wisconsin that diagnoses such infections is the premier public health program of its kind in the nation, and this may account for the large percentage of reported and confirmed cases in Wisconsin.
One is thankful for all those public research and public health investments our state made over the 20th century spurred on by liberal, secular types at UW-Madison that laid the scientific ground for the political will to establish a sophisticated public health system.
The public health commitment that has our A H1N1 (swine flu) numbers so high was built upon pioneering work in Madison by some extraordinary people like Pete Shult and Jeff Davis.
Said Dr. Christopher Olsen, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Health at a lecture in Madison in April:
"Pete (Shult), diagnostic virologist [Director, Wisconsin Communicable Disease Division & Emergency Lab Response] at the state lab of hygiene [Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene(WSLH)] did his undergraduate and PhD studies here at UW and then joined the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene in 1988. Pete has created what I think is the premier influenza virus surveillance public health program anywhere in the country. Together with Jeff Davis, who is our chief medical officer for Wisconsin and our state epidemiologist, we are looked at as a state for having this wonderful model surveillance program."
UW Public Research
Scientists here discovered that "genetic mixing" of viruses causes Zoonotic Diseases - "diseases caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between (or are shared by) animals and humans," (Dr. Christopher Olsen) - in pigs for example, and that pigs can act as an intermediate host of viruses that can be transmitted to human beings like A H1N1 (swine flu).
These virus-mixing hosts (like swine that are uniquely susceptible to bird viruses and human viruses) provide a "phenomenally powerful way of generating genetic diversity," mutations that sometimes can lead to the creation of viruses that are destructive to human beings, said Olsen.
Olsen and others had conducted a study with results that "strongly support the hypothesis that people associated with swine production are infected with swine influenza viruses more regularly than the small number of zoonotic infections in the literature would suggest," published in August 2002.
Thanks to the work of UW-Madison, our state and the world are more prepared for the outbreak of emerging influenza than at any point in human history.
The current World Health Organization (WHO) phase of pandemic alert is 5.
---
Influenza: A Disease at the Interface of Animals and Human Beings
Christopher Olsen, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Time: 47:03
- Recorded April 17, 2009
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