BACKGROUND Limited specimen collection and testing for influenza occurred in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries prior to the 2009/2010 influenza pandemic. Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) member countries rapidly mobilized to collect specimens during the pandemic and a vast majority of confirmed cases during the pandemic period were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. OBJECTIVES To d...

Influenza is usually considered a mild winter-time illness but can be associated with a range of serious complications. We undertook a retrospective medical record review to study the impact of admissions of children with laboratory-confirmed influenza to The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, during 2007. One hundred and twenty-two children were identified, representing 530 hospital admi...

Influenza viruses are among the most common pathogens that threaten the health of humans and animals worldwide. Various anti-viral therapeutic agents are currently used for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza virus, but the targets of these drugs are easily mutated and result in resistance. Therefore, medications that have broad spectrum coverage are urgently needed to combat with the diseas...

This report updates previous recommendations by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of antiviral agents for the prevention and treatment of influenza (CDC. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP]. MMWR 2008;57[No. RR-7]).This report contains information on treatment and chemoprophylax...

Vaccination is arguably the most crucial protection strategy available against infectious agents. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates immunisations against the pathogens diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and measles avert 2-3 million deaths every year [1]. However, despite our advanced knowledge and the availability of highly effective vaccines against many diseases, several infectious ...