21 Jan. 1998 UPDATE
China newspaper clarification / US flu update /
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CHINA - A Chinese newspaper admitted Tuesday that it had erroneously
reported cases of 'bird flu' in southern China.
The article's writer told Agence France-Presse he had been merely
reporting widespread RUMORS heard in Beijing markets and had not meant to
malign Guandong.
(see "Disease Updates" 1/19 for backstory.)
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Personally, I find it hard to swallow that a story on rumors got past an
editor, and then printed as fact, not rumor.
As far as the reporter goes, I guess retracting your story is better
than having you & your entire family "disappear" overnight.
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UNITED STATES - Since a few people have requested more background info on
the current flu situation, I forward the following from the CDC Weekly
Report --
From Oct. 1, 1997 through January 14, 1998, CDC has antigenically
characterized 46 influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Of these 46 isolates, 20 (or
43%) are A/Sydney -like and 26 (or 56%) are A/Wuhan -like.
<note: A/Wuhan is covered by this year's flu vaccine - D.U.>
The A/Sydney -like strain is related but antigenically distinguishable
from A/Wuhan -like strains.
Because vaccine effectiveness is dependent, in part, on the match
between the vaccines and the circulating strains, protection could be less
than optimal in those infected with A/Sydney.
Antibodies to A/Wuhan -like viruses do cross react with A/Sydney
viruses, therefore, vaccination with the currently available influenza
vaccine will provide some protection.
(end quote, CDC Weekly Report)
Hopefully, with the release of more detailed findings (as mentioned in
the 1/19 UPDATE) we will learn how effective this year's vaccine really
is, and how far A/Sydney has reached.
As of the week ending Jan. 10 (the latest reported week on the CDC
website) either widespread or regional influenza activity was reported in
26 states, up from 15 states the previous week.
For more details, including which states & the overall mortality rate,
go to: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/weekly.htm
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end 1/20/98 update
