News/ Trends/ Analysis

H1N1 flu cases in the U.S. reach 59 million.
About one in five
U.S. residents — 59 million Americans — have had H1N1 flu since the
pandemic began in April 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) estimates. About 265,000 people have been hospitalized
with complications from H1N1, and nearly 12,000 have died, according to
CDC statistics. The majority of people who were hospitalized had an
underlying condition, with asthma being the most common. The United
States experienced its first wave of 2009 H1N1 pandemic activity in the
spring of 2009, followed by a second wave of H1N1 activity in the fall.
Activity peaked during October and then declined in January. The rise in
flu activity last October is in contrast to non-pandemic influenza
seasons. Influenza activity usually peaks in January, February, or
March.

Travelers warned of yellow-fever cases/deaths in
Brazil. The
CDC has issued a yellow-fever outbreak notice for certain areas of
Brazil. Southern Brazil states Rio Grande do Sul and Sao Paolo have seen
nearly 50 cases of yellow fever with approximately 40% of those infected
dying. This is the first time since 1966 that human yellow fever cases
have been reported in Rio Grande do Sul. Brazil does not require
yellow-fever vaccinations to enter the country; however, the CDC
recommends people get vaccinated when traveling to an area where there
is a risk of yellow-fever transmission.

Soldiers contract malaria in Haiti. Six American soldiers involved in the aid mission in Haiti have been
diagnosed with malaria, reports Stars and Stripes. A U.S.
military spokesman says one soldier diagnosed with falciparum malaria
(the strain of mosquito-borne parasite most common in Haiti and the most
dangerous) has been evacuated to the Army hospital at Fort Bragg, NC.
The other soldiers are being treated in Haiti. According to Army
officials, soldiers deployed to Haiti are given prophylactic doxycycline
48 hours before deployment. In addition, soldiers are to have their
uniforms treated with an insecticide and apply DEET to their skin
throughout the day.

Spider bite can cause anemia. Although brown recluse spider bites are not a widespread cause of
anemia, the diagnosis should be considered in patients with unexplained
anemia, according to a study from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
In a recent issue of The Journal of Pediatrics, St. Jude
hematologists reported on six previously healthy adolescents treated for
acute, symptomatic anemia. The illnesses were linked to hemolytic anemia
that was eventually traced to brown recluse spider bites. Researchers
noted that the spiders' venom triggers a widespread reaction in about
30% of children, and systemic reactions include hemolytic anemia, kidney
failure, and clotting problems.

Severe allergic reaction to meat may not be rare. A
carbohydrate in meat may be the unrecognized cause of recurring severe
allergic reactions in some patients. The study, presented at the
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting in
February, included 60 people in Australia and the United States who
experienced anaphylaxis with no known cause. Allergy tests revealed that
25 of the 60 patients had positive responses to the sugar
galactose-a-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) found in beef, lamb, pork, and
other mammalian meats, according University of Virginia scientists. The
response was considered positive at a level greater than 1.0 IU/mL of
IgE. In three cohorts of idiopathic anaphylaxis patients, 20% to 50%
tested positive for the allergy. Learn more at
www.aaaai.org .