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National days of mourning are state-sponsored rituals of collective grief enacted in the public sphere by political authorities to symbolically mark and emotionally cope with a socially significant loss. These officially declared and ceremonially performed state rituals of communion in grief provide privileged epistemic opportunities for unravelling the politics of grievability underpinning a society's willingness to mourn its dead. This paper focuses on comparing and contrasting two case studies – the Colectiv nightclub fire and the flu epidemics – in order to grasp the politics of national mourning in the Romanian post-communist context. After identifying the criteria of grievability underlying the declaration of national mourning in cases of mass death as consisting in a 'chronotopic togetherness' in death that is characterised by an 'instantaneity of emotional shock,' the paper argues for enlarging these criteria of grievability so as to include the victims of socially invisible traumas inflicted by structural violence, such as those killed in epidemics and car road accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, the first known case of Spanish flu - also referred to as "pneumonic influenza" in this country - was reported on 10 January 1919.[1] Fifty days later, on 1 March 1919, the very first issue of I Clinical and Experimental Optometry i - then called I The Commonwealth Optometrist i - was published.[2] Notwithstanding the significant morbidity, mortality, social upheaval and economic disruption associated with such a pandemic, this timing was fortuitous from the perspective of ophthalmic history, as it helps us understand the impact of the Spanish flu upon optometry at that time. We also searched the Trove database of the National Library of Australia for published material linking the terms "optician", "optometrist" or "optometry" with "Spanish flu", "pneumonic influenza" or "influenza", published during 1919. The capacity for a clear acrylic (plexiglass) slitlamp shield to reduce droplet exposure is explored by Murnain et al.[32] Conclusions In Australia, the mortality and morbidity of the Spanish flu pandemic (two million cases and 15,000 deaths)[1] was far worse than that of the COVID-19 pandemic so far (7,220 cases and 102 deaths).[6] Paradoxically, the impact on society has been the reverse. At present with COVID-19, optometry practices have closed; many optometrists are unemployed; optometry educational establishments have been shut down; optometry students are unable to receive face-to-face clinical training; and optometrists, like everyone else, are largely confined to their homes. [Extracted from the article]

This "From the Archives" article provides the text of Lillian D. Wald's report on the response of the Nurses' Emergency Council and social services to the 1918 influenza pandemic in New York City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, influenza is associated with significant morbidity, including high hospital admission and mortality rates. Influenza may also impair allograft outcomes, in particular in lung transplant recipients. Early treatment with antivirals and seasonal vaccination contribute to reduce influenza-associated morbidity in this population.Areas covered: We selected a number of publications by searching into Pubmed to review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, outcomes, and management of influenza in SOT recipients. We discuss current treatment options and recent advances in the development of new vaccination strategies.Expert opinion: Our review showed that despite recent studies addressing the current epidemiology of influenza in SOT recipients, data in this population remain sparse. Large international multi-season cohort studies should better describe the actual burden of influenza. Although oseltamivir is an effective drug and should be given to all SOT recipients, the use of novel antivirals and combination therapies need to be tested prospectively in this population. Finally, recent studies aiming to improve the immunogenicity of influenza vaccine in SOT recipients showed promising results, in particular with the use of high-dose vaccines and booster-dose. Clinical trials using clinical endpoints would be important to foster the introduction of these vaccines in the routine clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern medicine has developed a number of technologies to observe, diagnose, and intervene in the human body. Medical technologies make bodies visible by number and form. Many historians have studied how such medical technologies as the stethoscope, pulse meter, cardiograph, and thermometer were invented and subsequently influenced societies. However, recent historians have turned their attention to the technology-in-practice to show a unidirectional history intertwined by devices, clinicians, and users. This paper aims to follow this line of study by focusing on a history of clinical thermometry inmodern Britain and Japan. First, it surveys secondary works on medical technologies in history and explores how clinical thermometers were invented, improved, sold, and consumed in two distinct cultures in Britain and Japan. It argues that clinical thermometry was used for consumers' own sakes, for example, performing a gender role and dreading influenza, and also framed by such external factors as war and pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore trajectories of public psycho-behavioural responses over one influenza A(H7N9) epidemic wave, and examine the interplays among social norm influence, disease worry and protective behaviours. Methods: Participants were 464 adults who completed the baseline and at least two follow-up assessments on their H7N9-related Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Efficacy, Worry, Social Norms influence and Protective Behaviours in a five-phase longitudinal survey over one H7N9 epidemic wave. Latent growth modelling (LGM) identified trajectories of these psycho-behavioural responses while multi-process LGM examined the inter-relationships among trajectories of Social Norms influence, Worry and Protective Behaviours. Results: Trajectories of Perceived Susceptibility, Worry, Social Norms and Protective Behaviours increased initially but declined as the epidemic decayed, while Perceived Severity increased linearly and Perceived Efficacy remained stable across the epidemic. Change in Social Norms influence was significantly associated with change in Worry (β = 0.65) which was significantly associated with change in Protective Behaviours (β = 0.62). Conclusion: The public's threat appraisal but not efficacy appraisal may have been well-informed by epidemic-related information. Social Norms may be important contributors of public emotional response to an epidemic. Communication via social networks during an epidemic could be important for regulating public emotional response and guiding their behavioural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study aim was to analyze the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases and to compare demographic and clinical characteristics as well as outcomes of influenza-positive SARI cases to those of influenza-negative SARI cases in Montenegro.Methods: SARI surveillance was established in 2014 in nine healthcare institutions. Retrospective analysis of case-based surveillance data pertaining to all reported SARI cases during three seasons was conducted.Results: Among the 90 identified SARI cases, 64 (71%) were influenza positive. Death outcome was reported in 25 (28%) of all registered SARI cases. Cardiovascular disease was more prevalent among the patients in the influenza-positive SARI group (36% vs. 12%, p = .021), as was concurrence of two or more chronic medical conditions (57% vs. 30%, p = .042). These patients were also more likely to be immunocompromised (16% vs. 0%, p = .057) and have viral pneumonia (14.4% vs. 20.3%, p = .017), compared to those in the influenza-negative SARI group. Younger age, presence of cardiovascular disease and being immunocompromised were patient characteristics independently associated with SARI related to influenza.Conclusion: Continued and extended monitoring of SARI is necessary in order to fully assess the burden of flu disease, define risk groups and establish better control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network is a worldwide initiative that aims to document the burden of influenza infections among acute admissions and vaccine effectiveness in particular countries. As a partner of this platform, we aimed to determine the frequency of influenza infections among acute admissions with influenza-like illness and the outcomes of enrolled patients during the 2015-2016 influenza season in selected hospitals in Turkey.Patients and Methods: The investigators screened the hospital admission registries, chart review or available records, and screened all patients hospitalized in the previous 24-48 hours or overnight in the predefined wards or emergency room. A total of 1351 patients were screened for enrollment in five tertiary care referral hospitals in Ankara and 774 patients (57.3% of the initial screened population) were eligible for swabbing. All of the eligible patients who consented were swabbed and tested for influenza with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods.Results: Overall, influenza positivity was detected in 142 patients (18.4%). The predominant influenza strain was A H1N1pdm09. Outcomes were worse among elderly patients, regardless of the presence of the influenza virus. Half of the patients over 65 years of age were admitted to the intensive care unit, while one third required any mode of mechanical ventilation and one fourth died in the hospital in that particular episode.Conclusion: These findings can guide hospitals to plan and prepare for the influenza season. Effective influenza vaccination strategies, particularly aimed at the elderly and adults with chronic diseases, can provide an opportunity for prevention of deaths due to influenza-like illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government communication is an important management tool during a public health crisis, but understanding its impact is difficult. Strategies may be adjusted in reaction to developments on the ground and it is challenging to evaluate the impact of communication separately from other crisis management activities. Agent-based modeling is a well-established research tool in social science to respond to similar challenges. However, there have been few such models in public health. We use the example of the TELL ME agent-based model to consider ways in which a non-predictive policy model can assist policy makers. This model concerns individuals’ protective behaviors in response to an epidemic, and the communication that influences such behavior. Drawing on findings from stakeholder workshops and the results of the model itself, we suggest such a model can be useful: (i) as a teaching tool, (ii) to test theory, and (iii) to inform data collection. We also plot a path for development of similar models that could assist with communication planning for epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: The first human H7N9 avian influenza virus case was reported in Shanghai in 2013. Shortly thereafter, this virus spread to other regions in China. Molecular analysis indicated that the H7N9 virus is a reassortant virus containing internal genes from the H9N2 virus and previously described mammalian adaption markers, which could allow the virus to adapt efficiently to a mammalian host. Fortunately, there is no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread. Most of the human H7N9 cases have a history of exposure to live poultry markets (LPMs). The circulating H7N9 were low pathogenic viruses, however highly pathogenic H7N9 viruses were recently identified in human cases. Areas covered: In the present article, the circulation of H7N9 in LPMs of China, the five waves of H7N9 infection in humans, recently identified drug resistant mutants and potential antiviral drugs against H7N9 are discussed; this may provide further understanding of the evolution and pandemic potential of the H7N9 influenza viruses. Expert commentary: All the data reveal that the major source of H7N9 viruses are LPMs and the H7N9 virus is still circulating widely in China. It is concerning that the recent emergence of highly pathogenic H7N9 viruses may result in highly transmissible viruses in mammalian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To measure the outrage towards five top hazards in Michigan of Iraqi immigrants from Sterling Heights and Dearborn, Michigan to enhance communication efforts. Methods: We recruited 84 Iraqi immigrants from two ACCESS community health and research facilities for this study. We utilized the Risk = Hazard + Outrage equation to measure outrage and total risk. Outrage was measured through a new survey instrument based off a list of nine outrage factors per hazard. We also used ANOVA to compare the hazards with each other and hazard and outrage levels. Results: Snowstorms were measured to be the highest outrage and power outages measured the lowest. Total risk was highest for snowstorms and lowest for pandemic influenza. Conclusions: The results measured outrage for each of the five Michigan hazards, showing what hazards Iraqi immigrants were most worried about. Because snowstorms were measured to have the highest outrage and overall measured risk, emergency preparedness and response professionals need to spend more time educating this group about snowstorms and learn from this group on resilience during power outages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of a pandemic flu, this experiment investigated whether source (government officials or physicians), severity condition (high or low), and mention of self-efficacy method (mention present or absent) in H1N1 health news affected participants’ (a) perception of media influence on self and others and (b) intentions to get vaccinated. Results found support for third-person effects, and the magnitude of the effects grew with social distance. Main effect of source, as well as interaction effects among the independent variables on third-person effect and vaccination intentions, were also found. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Influenza is a major cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in humans every year. Vaccination is the main strategy to prevent influenza infection, but antiviral agents also play an important role in the control of both seasonal and pandemic influenza. During the influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in 2009, early prompt antiviral therapy may have reduced the severity of the influenza outcomes including pneumonia, hospitalization and mortality in the Republic of Korea. Since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, there have been increasing usages of antiviral agents for the treatment of patients with seasonal influenza. Although currently rare, antiviral resistance among influenza viruses may emerge and increase with increased use of neuraminidase inhibitors. New agents with different modes of action are under investigation, including favipiravir, DAS181, nitazoxanide and broad-spectrum neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Data are limited with respect to high-dose and combination antiviral therapies. So, clinical trials are warranted to evaluate diverse antiviral combinations that may be synergistic and less likely to induce breakthrough resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seasonal influenza affects from 5 to 15% of the world's population annually and causes an estimated 250,000-500,000 deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 'sentinel surveillance' for influenza-like illness (ILI) because it is simple and calls for standardized methods at a relatively low cost that can be implemented throughout the world. In Vietnam, ILI is a key priority for public health also because of its annually recurring temporal pattern. Two major factors, on which the spread of influenza depends, are the strain of the virus and its rate of mutation, since flu strains constantly mutate as they compete with host immune systems. In the context of global climate change, the role of climatic factors has been discussed, as they may significantly contribute to the cause of large outbreaks of ILI. Objectives: 1) To describe the epidemiology of ILI in Ha Nam province, Vietnam; 2) to seek scientific evidence on the association of ILI occurrence with weather factors in Ha Nam province; and 3) to analyze factors from the Ha Nam ILI surveillance system that contribute to explaining the correlation between the ILI and the weather factors. Design: A data set of 89,270 monthly reported ILI cases from 2008 to 2012 in Ha Nam was used to describe ILI epidemiological characteristics. Spearman correlation analyses between ILI cases and weather factors were conducted to identify which preceding period of months and weather patterns influenced the occurrence of ILI cases. Ten in-depth interviews with health workers in charge of recording and reporting ILI cases at different levels of the ILI surveillance system were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of factors contributing to explaining the relation between the ILI and the weather factors. Results: The results indicated that the ILI occurred annually in all districts of the Ha Nam province in the five studied years. An epidemic occurred in 2009 with the number of cases three times higher than the average threshold. There was a relation between the ILI cases in the previous 1 month with ILI cases of the following month. A seasonal cycle of ILI and correlation between weather elements were not clearly detected. A qualitative study showed that the number of ILI cases reported by the Provincial Preventive Medicine Centre (PPMC) in Ha Nam might not have reflected the accurate number of seasonal ILI occurring in this area. This was due to three gaps in the ILI surveillance system that initially were detected through key in-depth interviews in the Duy Tien and Binh Luc districts. They reported inconsistent ways of recording and reporting ILI cases among communes, lack of ILI survey forms, and irregular and delayed feedback from the PPMC. Conclusions: There were no clear patterns of association between weather factors and ILI cases detected from the five studied years. The number of ILI cases reported by the PPMC in Ha Nam may not reflect adequately the actual number of seasonal ILI occurring in this area due to three weak points in the ILI surveillance system initially detected through the case of the Duy Tien and Binh Luc districts. These three weak points of the system should be examined by a study conducted in the remaining districts in Ha Nam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influenza pandemic of 1918–19 was the single most lethal short-term epidemic of the twentieth century. For Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, the most widely used estimate of mortality from that pandemic is 1.5 million. We estimated mortality from the influenza pandemic in Java and Madura, home to the majority of Indonesia's population, using panel data methods and data from multiple quinquennial population counts and two decennial censuses. The new estimates suggest that, for Java alone, population loss was in the range of 4.26–4.37 million, or more than twice the established estimate for mortality for all of Indonesia. We conclude that the standing estimates of mortality from influenza in Java and Indonesia need to be revised upward significantly. We also present new findings on geographic patterns of population loss across Java, and pre-pandemic and post-pandemic population growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The communicable disease threats and changes that began emerging in south-east Europe in the early 1990s – after a decade of war and while political and health systems region-wide were undergoing dramatic changes – demanded a novel approach to infectious disease surveillance. Specifically, they called for an approach that was focused on cross-border collaboration and aligned with European Union standards and requirements. Thus, the Southeastern European Health network (SEEHN) was established in 2001 as a cooperative effort among the governments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In 2002, SEEHN initiated a communicable diseases project aimed at strengthening both national and regional surveillance systems with a focus on cross-border collaboration. Over time, SEEHN has nurtured growth of a regional fabric of SEE experts in communicable diseases surveillance and response who are able to discuss emerging issues and best practices at any time and without being constrained by the rigidity of traditional or existing systems. Main achievements to date include joint preparation of influenza pandemic preparedness plans at both national and regional levels and the introduction of molecular techniques into influenza surveillance laboratories region-wide. Here, we describe the history of the SEEHN communicable disease project; major activities and accomplishments; and future sustainability of the regional infectious disease surveillance network that has emerged and grown over the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global public health policies span national borders and affect multitudes of people. The spread of infectious disease has neither political nor economic boundaries, and when elevated to a status of pandemic proportions, immediate action is required. In federal systems of government, the national level leads the policy formation and implementation process, but also collaborates with supranational organisations as part of the global health network. Likewise, the national level of government cooperates with sub-national governments located in both urban and rural areas. Rural areas, particularly in less developed countries, tend to have higher poverty rates and lack the benefits of proper medical facilities, communication modes and technology to prevent the spread of disease. From the perspective of epidemiological surveillance and intervention, this article will examine federal health policies in three federal systems: Australia, Malaysia and the USA. Using the theoretical foundations of collaborative federalism, this article specifically examines how collaborative arrangements and interactions among governmental and non-governmental actors help to address the inherent discrepancies that exist between policy implementation and reactions to outbreaks in urban and rural areas. This is considered in the context of the recent H1N1 influenza pandemic, which spread significantly across the globe in 2009 and is now in what has been termed the ‘post-pandemic era’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a number of diseases, including influenza. Whether or not this reflects a causal relationship is unknown. We therefore wanted to examine if supplementation with vitamin D would affect the incidence and severity of influenza-like disease. Methods: Questionnaires on influenza were sent to subjects participating in ongoing placebo-controlled intervention studies with vitamin D supplementation, up until the end of April 2010. Results: Five hundred and sixty-nine subjects from 10 different clinical trials were included in the study, of whom 289 were randomized to receive vitamin D (1111-6800 IU/day) and 280 to receive placebo. Influenza-like disease during the previous fall/winter was reported in 38 subjects in the vitamin D group and 42 in the placebo group (non-significant), of whom 25 and 26 subjects, respectively, fulfilled our clinical criteria for influenza. In these latter subjects, the duration of illness was significantly longer among those in the vitamin D group than among those in the placebo group (median 7 (range 2-60) days vs median 4 (range 2-18) days; p == 0.007). However, this difference was not statistically significant if all 38 (vitamin D) and 42 (placebo) subjects who reported symptoms were included. Conclusion: Our results do not support the hypothesis that high doses of vitamin D supplementation will have a pronounced effect on influenza-like disease in populations not targeted for high influenza risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We administered both the rapid antigen test and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test to 2154 patients in order to assess the diagnostic value of the rapid antigen test during Korean pandemics of H1N1 2009. The overall sensitivity was 70.0%, specificity was 97.5%, positive predictive value was 97.4%, and negative predictive value was 71.2%. The sensitivity fell and the negative predictive value decreased as the RT-PCR positive rate increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]