Influenza (Infectious Diseases)

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu viruses are classified as types A, B, and C; type A has a number of subtypes and are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. In 2009-2010, a new flu virus called 2009 H1N1 spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years.From April 15 to July 24, 2009, states reported a total of 43,771 confirmed and probable cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection. Of these cases reported, 5,011 people were hospitalized and 302 people died. On July 24, 2009, confirmed and probable case counts were discontinued.

In response to the pandemic, NIH expanded its research on the virus through the NIAID 2009 H1N1 Influenza Research Program and a series of clinical trials to evaluate new vaccines to prevent and decrease the severity of H1N1 influenza virus infection were introduced. Fogarty International Center further supports the NIH global mission to combat influenza infection through its Multinational Influenza Seasonal Mortality Study (MISMS), an international collaborative effort to analyze national and global mortality patterns associated with influenza virus circulation. The program has since expanded to include evaluating the interaction between the epidemiology, ecology, and evolutionary dynamics of influenza.

http://www.fic.nih.gov/news/publications/global_health_matters/2010/0410_h1n1.htm H1N1 had significant impact in life years lost
http://www.fic.nih.gov/news/publications/global_health_matters/2009/0609_pandemics.htm Past pandemics may offer clue to A/H1N1 response
http://www.fic.nih.gov/news/publications/global_health_matters/2008/humanflu_4-08.htm Homologous Recombination Does Not Play Major Role in Evolution of Human Influenza A Virus
http://www.fic.nih.gov/news/publications/global_health_matters/GHM_influenzastudy_07-08_07.htm Spread of Drug-Resistant Influenza Viruses Studied

NIH http://www.health.nih.gov/topic/InfluenzaNational Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/flu.htmlNIAIDhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/flu/understandingflu/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/flu/pages/default.aspxhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/flu/h1n1/Pages/Default.aspxhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/resistantflu.aspxhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/hutterite.aspxhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/Pages/H1N1trialHIVpositive.aspx http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/Documents/sick.pdf

CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

HHS
http://www.flu.gov/
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/
http://www.globalhealth.gov/topics/pandemicflu.html
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/08/20100810b.html

USAID
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/home/News/news_items/avian_influenza.html
http://vietnam.usaid.gov/?q=node/156

State
http://www.state.gov/g/avianflu/

USDA
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navtype=SU&navid=AVIAN_INFLUENZA

FDA
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/informationbydrugclass/ucm100228.htm
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM110288

DOD
http://fhp.osd.mil/aiWatchboard/h1n1faqs.jsp
http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0509_h1n1/
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=55698

Global health council
http://www.globalhealth.org/avian_flu/
http://www.globalhealth.org/h1n1/
http://www.globalhealth.org/infectious_diseases/mortality_morbidity/respiratory/

WHO
http://www.who.int/topics/influenza/en/
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/

UN http://www.un-influenza.org/

American lung association http://www.facesofinfluenza.org/

Mayo clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/influenza/DS00081

Immunization Action Coalition http://www.preventinfluenza.org/

Sanofi Pasteur Inc http://www.influenza.com/