UP Ibalon Bicol: Guillain Barre Syndrome

Showing posts with label Guillain Barre Syndrome. Show all posts

H1N1 influenza death toll doubles in RP

9/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

After the Department of Health (DOH) halted its daily update of the H1N1 pandemic in the country, the government agency reported that the August death toll doubled to 28 from July’s mortality of 13. Those who died were part of the 4,548 reported cases of swine flu documented in the country of which 4,369 fully recovered.

Morbidity & Mortality of H1N1, European Center for Disease Control Data

Worldwide, infected, 254,206 as 08/30/09
Worldwide, deaths 3,315 (ECDC)
Southeast Asia, 262
Thailand, 130
Malaysia, 73
the Philippines, 28
Singapore, 17
Indonesia, 10
Vietnam, two
Brunei, 1
Laos, 1

As the pandemic spreads and persists worldwide, the focus is to rush the flu vaccine which is expected to be ready by October. Health authorities predict a surge of the swine influenza during fall and winter seasons needing preventive measures to control its spread. The easily transmissibe virus has the potential of infecting 2 billon people worldwide.

The vaccination makes the public leery over the potential side effects of the vaccination such as Guillain Barre Syndrome which is more fatal than the H1N1 or the usual flu infection. It is unclear if this vaccination being readied will offer enugh efficacy and protection as desired.

Many health workers believe vaccination is important in preventing morbidity and mortality among vulnerable population groups, particularly the young, the elderly. the immunosuppressed, diabetes and dialysis patients, and those suffering from chronic diseases. (Photo Credit: Benedicti Desrus) =0=

============================================================

Labels: DOH, Guillain Barre Syndrome, H1N1 virus, Influenza, influenza virus, morbidity, mortality, Swine flu, vaccination, vaccine

Nerve disease feared in swine flu vaccination

8/17/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

As the production of the H1N1 flu immunization is being rushed for the fall and winter season, scientists are worried if the vaccine can trigger a complication called Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS.) The vaccine's adverse effect involves the nerve, causing paralysis, difficulty of breathing and sometimes death.

In 1976, when vaccination was recommended in USA to a swine flu epidemic, about 500 cases came down with GBS Twenty five (25) people died, prompting health authorities to withdraw the vaccine. Guillain Barre Syndrome affected about one in 80,000. It turned out to be more lethal than the complication of the swine flu vaccine itself.

The concern for GBS was relayed to about 600 neurologists on July 28, 2009 in United Kingdom as swine vaccine is being prepared for administration to nearly 13 million people to counter the threat of the resurgence of H1N1 flu in October.

“GBS has been identified as a condition needing enhanced surveillance when the swine flu vaccines are rolled out. Reporting every case of GBS irrespective of vaccination or disease history is essential for conducting robust epidemiological analyses capable of identifying whether there is an increased risk of GBS in defined time periods after vaccination, or after influenza itself, compared with the background risk."--- Professor Elizabeth Miller, head of the Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) Immunisation Department. MailOnline (08/15/09, McFarlane, J.)

The alert to monitor GBS is important to avoid the past experience when the vaccine was given to about 40 million people before it was withdrawn after the side effect emerged. Guillain Barre Syndrome carries a mortality rate of 5 to 6%. As the government strategize to control the swine flu, the public must know the possible complication(s) of the immunization. (Photo Credit: CDC H1N1)=0=

============================================================

Labels: complications, diseases, GBS, Guillain Barre Syndrome, H1N1 virus, immunzation, Influenza, Totie Mesia, vaccination, warning

UP Ibalon Bicol

H1N1 influenza death toll doubles in RP

Nerve disease feared in swine flu vaccination

Blog Archive

About Me

UP Ibalon Newsmakers

Topics/Categories

Feedjit Live Blog Stats

Topics/Categories

Featured

Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 74

ABS-CBN News

Recent Posts

GMA News.tv

Philippine Commentary

Inquirer Breaking News