FluView reports that for the week of January 24-30, 2010, flu activity in the United States remained about the same as during the previous week. Flu activity is relatively low at this time, with most flu continuing to be caused by 2009 H1N1. Flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, but it is expected to continue for several more months.

All lots of monovalent 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in pre-filled syringes manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, not included in the two earlier recalls, should now be administered by February 15, 2010 regardless of the expiration imprinted on the package.

In recent testing of its influenza A (H1N1) monovalent vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur found five distributed lots of single-dose, pre-filled syringe pediatric (0.25 mL) vaccine and one distributed lot of single-dose pre-filled syringe for older children and adults (0.5 mL) vaccine had potency below pre-specified limits.

During week 3 (January 17-23, 2010), influenza activity remained at approximately the same levels this week in the U.S. 164 (4.6%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.

This report provides an update to the international situation as of January 29, 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to report updated 2009 H1N1 flu-associated laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths on its Web page.

As of January 7, 2010, the cumulative pro rata allocation is approximately 136 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. As of January 5, 2010, approximately 111 million doses have been shipped, so supplies of 2009 H1N1 vaccine available to be administered are ample. Although the 2009 H1N1 vaccine was initially prioritized to certain target groups, due to the increase in supply most jurisdictions are now making vaccine available for everyone who wishes to receive it.

Overall flu activity in the United States decreased again slightly during the week of January 17-23, 2010, as reported in FluView. Though flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, it is expected to continue for several more months.

Overall flu activity in the United States decreased again slightly during the week of January 10-16, 2010, as reported in FluView. Though flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, it is expected to continue for several more months.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) January 22, 2010 / Vol. 59, No. 2

During week 1 (January 3-9, 2010), influenza activity continued to decrease in the U.S. 139 (3.6%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.

More than 1,000 people in New Jersey and New York, many of them adolescent Orthodox Jews, have been sickened with mumps since August, health authorities said Monday.

"Electronic cigarettes" that vaporize nicotine juice to inhale instead of smoke from burning tobacco do not deliver as promised, according to research at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Worried about your child's weight? You can do more than just nag him or her about eating too much junk food. Implementing three healthy family habits--eating dinner together, making sure they get enough sleep, and limiting TV--may help.

The convenience store near my house is where I first became aware of the problem.

Michael Jackson's doctor was charged Monday with involuntary manslaghter in connection with the pop star's June 25 death at age 50.

Massive humanitarian health needs exist in Haiti following the 12 January, 2010, earthquake, and clear WHO guidelines are in place for the donations of medicines and other medical supplies to support the relief effort. WHO recommends that potential donors follow these guidelines to ensure appropriate supplies are being provided to match needs on the ground.

Pan American Health Organization, Emergency Operations Center, Washington DC eoc@paho.org

On 20 January, PAHO, the US Department of Health and Human Services and MINUSTAH visited three field hospitals:

To receive the RSS feed for WHO's latest "Emergency and disasters news," go to http://www.who.int/about/licensing/rss/en/

PAHO/WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM, Save the Children, World Vision, International Medical Corps (IMC), Merlin, Médecins du Monde (MDM), International Rescue Committee (IRC).

Our ever-expanding waistlines may have outgrown the doctor's needle, researchers say, in what could be another casualty of the obesity epidemic.

A woman's chance of having a child with autism increase substantially as she ages, but the risk may be less for older dads than previously suggested

As the Vancouver Olympic Games get closer, scientists are trying to develop more sophisticated tests to catch athletes in the act of sneaking performance-enhancing drugs, Boston.com reported.

An Australian woman had her arm severed after a freak accident involving a ride-on lawn mower.

As of 31 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 15174 deaths.

Why are some of the doses of H1N1 vaccine manufactured in pre-filled syringes being recalled from the market?

Shortened Expiration Period For Sanofi Pasteur 2009 H1N1 Vaccine In Pre-filled Syringes Questions & Answers

29 January 2010 -- As of 24 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14711 deaths.

Effective communication is a key component of emergency response planning. It can help direct the medical community and the general public to take appropriate action to contain a disease outbreak, limit exposure, and reduce morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, ineffective communication can lead to confusion in both the general public and the emergency response community. It can interfere with the response to an incident. It can lead to public distrust and skepticism, and, once that has happened, it is difficult to regain that trust.

As of 31 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 15174 deaths.

As of 24 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14711 deaths.

22 January 2010 -- Providing independent advice to Member States is a very important function of the World Health Organization (WHO). We take this work seriously and guard against the influence of any improper interests. The WHO influenza pandemic policies and response have not been improperly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.

As of 17 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14142 deaths.

As of 10 January 2009, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 13554 deaths.

29 January 2010 -- WHO welcomes the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledge of US$ 10 billion over the next ten years to accelerate global vaccine efforts.

19 January 2010 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, currently holding its 126th session in Geneva, has appointed Mrs. Zsuzsanna Jakab as the new WHO Regional Director for Europe and re-appointed Dr Luis Gomes Sambo as the WHO Regional Director for Africa.

13 January 2010 -- The severe earthquake that has struck Haiti and the Dominican Republic has inflicted large-scale damage, including on hospitals and health facilities, and large numbers of casualties are feared. Immediate health priorities include search and rescue of survivors, treatment of injuries and preventing the infection of wounds.

15 December -- Using a new vaccine for the first time, a sub-national polio immunization campaign will take place from 15-17 December in Afghanistan. About 2.8 million children under five in the Southern, South-Eastern and Eastern Regions of Afghanistan will receive the vaccine.

15 December 2009 -- Significant progress has been made in delivering life-saving malaria nets and treatments over the last few years, but the coverage of malaria programmes needs to be stepped up drastically in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to a report released today by WHO.