eMJA RAPID ONLINE PUBLICATION UPDATED 13 AUGUST 2009 inc inf an S e the initial reports of H1N1 influenza (human swine luenza; caused by influenza A/2009/H1N1/swl) in Mexico d the United States in mid April 2009, many thousands of cases have been reported worldwide. At the time of writing, community transmission is becoming established in many areas in Australia, but the number of reported case...

The rapidSTRIPE H1N1 test, based on a nucleic acid lateral-flow assay, has been developed for diagnosis of a swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus. This test is simple and cost-effective and allows specific detection of the S-OIV A (H1N1) virus from swab sampling to final detection on a lateral-flow stripe within 2 to 3 h.

The emergence of the pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus in humans and subsequent discovery that it was of swine influenza virus lineages raised concern over the safety of pork. Pigs experimentally infected with pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus developed respiratory disease; however, there was no evidence for systemic disease to suggest that pork from pigs infected with H1N1 influenza woul...

Background: A new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) emerged in April 2009, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Since mutations in the haemagglutinin (HA) may influence the antigenicity and pathogenicity of the virus, continued epidemiological and molecular characterization for the effective control of pandemic flu and developing of more appropriate vaccine is crucial. Objective: To monitor ...

BACKGROUND The H1N1 influenza pandemic occurred in Germany between April 2009 and August 2010. Pandemics often lead to uncertainty amongst the public and so risk communication on health-related issues is one of the key areas of action for health authorities and other healthcare institutions. The mass media may contribute to risk communication, so this study analysed press coverage during the H1...

BACKGROUND As of June 11, 2009, a total of 17,855 probable or confirmed cases of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) had been reported in the United States. Risk factors for transmission remain largely uncharacterized. We characterize the risk factors and describe the transmission of the virus within households. METHODS Probable and confirmed cases of infection with the 2009 H1N1 virus in the Un...

Strong international health agreements and good planning created a structure and common procedure for nations involved in detection and evaluation of the emergence of influenza A (H1N1). This report describes a timeline of events that led to the determination of the epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern, following the agreed-upon procedures of the International Health R...

The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus (pH1N1) spread quickly throughout the world following the April 2009 outbreak in Mexico, and it was the first major influenza pandemic since 1969. In order to effectively prepare for and respond to future pandemics, it is crucial to fully understand the characteristics of the 2009 outbreak. The objective of this review is to focus on the salient epidemiolog...

BACKGROUND With the release of the H1N1 vaccine, there was much controversy surrounding its use despite strong encouragements to be vaccinated in the media. Though studies have examined factors influencing people's decision to be vaccinated, few have focused on how general beliefs about the world or where an individual gathers information might influence that decision. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL F...