Since the declaration of an H1N1 influenza pandemic in June, virtually all countries are now reporting cases. Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, Special Adviser to the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Pandemic Influenza, told reporters “the pandemic virus has become the dominant influenza virus in all countries.” Dr. Fukuda went on to say that the WHO anticipates continued or increased activity during the winter period in the northern hemisphere, and continued reports of serious cases and deaths. Dr. Fukuda made it clear, however, that although most people who become infected develop a self-limiting illness and recover without any interventions, we are not dealing with seasonal influenza. Despite the fact that most patients recover from the swine flu without complication, WHO is still seeing complications in people who have chronic, underlying medical conditions, as well as pregnant women. However, complications can also occur in people who are healthy.

The response by the medical system in the United States has been mixed, with various states declaring public health emergencies. New York, in particular, is involved in a lawsuit filed by two nurses over mandatory vaccination of health-care workers for seasonal and H1N1 influenza ordered by the state’s commissioner of health despite the fact that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recognized the need to protect hospital patients and long-term care facility residents by recommending influenza vaccinations for health-care workers since 1981.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]