Hospitals prepare for more swine flu cases

OAHU (KHNL) - With swine flu cases now confirmed, Hawaii's medical community is taking its emergency plan to another level.

Healthcare leaders are getting ready for more cases.

On Tuesday, medical reps from hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities had training on how to properly put on respirators, which protect health care workers from the swine flu virus.

The respirators are designed to filter out viruses. Learning how to use them properly is key.

Now certified, the team of healthcare workers can train others to prepare for more swine flu cases.

"I think we're just seeing the beginning of it. The first cases are a trigger for us. They're a reminder to us that there is a threat, a small threat, but it is here in our community," said Toby Clairmont, RN, Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH) Director of Emergency Services.

If that threat grows, and hospitals become overwhelmed, they can tap into this facility.

It's one of several discreet warehouses filled with medical supplies and equipment, hidden for security reasons.

And with swine flu now in Hawaii, the HAH is mobilizing from Level 0 to Level 1.

"Level 1 means we're preparing to care for people who are sick," said Clairmont.

That also means screening people at hospital entrances.

"So that would mean asking people to wash their hands or disinfect them when they come in. It could ask people with colds or coughs to wear a surgical mask," said Clairmont.

If the outbreak becomes severe, the HAH is ready to send out its response trailers, which can deliver medical supplies to any part of the State.

Swine Flu, You Cannot Stop Us!

Swine Flu, You Cannot Stop Us!

05/07/2009 13:57 EST (0148 GMT) 

No doubt, the Type A H1N1 influenza originated from Mexico poses a fair challenge for the global economy which is now making its way recovering from the financial crisis. And at the same time, the life and business of people around us are thus being changed.

As early as the advent of financial crisis in 2008, the World Bank projected that if there's pandemic influenza 3 trillion US dollars will be paid by the world. And there would be a total 5% shrink of all the countries' GDP followed.

Not to mention the most two serious affected countries in the world: Mexico and the U.S. Previously, the financial secretary of Mexico has announced that the outbreak of Type A influenza (swine flu) may pose a grave impact on Mexico's economy. Also, some economists forecast the worst case for America would be a 0.3% shrink on GDP of 2009.—the biggest drop since World War II.

Across the ocean, Chinese people are also deeply concerned of this flu's impact on China's economy. The head of China Banking Regulatory Commission, Liu Mingkang admitted the pandemic flu is a big frustration on the recovery of world economy, even China's.

Since last week, when the influenza broke out in Mexico and America, the share prices of the new Ng Fung, Shunxin Agriculture, New Hope and other listed companies related with pig raising industry in the A share all fell sharply. On the other hand, companies of negative correlation with the epidemic like some bio-med companies and e-business listed companies all reached the high limit in the share market.

As a matter of face, summarizing the impact on economy during grave epidemic in history, we will find out the winners and losers are relatively remaining unchanged. Industries like aerospace, traveling and related stock raising would bear negative influence while industries like bio-med, e-business and other modern service industry would see brand-new opportunities for development.The acute Zhejiang businessmen would definitely minimize the damage of epidemic and seize new development opportunities. Ma Yun and his Alibaba set a good example. Being great influenced by the SARS in 2003, Alibaba made its fame through this crisis.

As for people in old times, epidemic is a tomb since they can do nothing to stop but wait for the death. In contemporary times, we fight the evil but few win. In today's society, the epidemic tests the ability of tackling problems of governments and the coordination between countries.

We believe, after addressing the SARS crisis successfully in 2003, out government and enterprises would confront the Type A H1N1 influenza with more calm and confidence. As a result, although the epidemic brought negative influence to our society, but it will and can not stop Zhejiang and even China out of the bog of global financial crisis.

No case of A/H1N1 flu found on pig firms in Myanmar: report

There has been no case of A/H1N1 influenza found on pig farms in Myanmar up to May 2, said a statement of the Myanmar Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Thursday, Xinhua reported.
   
As part of its preventive measures against the human flu, Myanmar has restricted foreigners to visit pig farms without taking bio-security measures.
   
Meanwhile, related departments of Myanmar held a workshop recently involving 60 pig breeders on prevention of swine flu, bio- security and diagnosis, the report said, adding that the authorities have also carried out screening on incoming visitors at airports, seaports and border entry points since April 19.
   
The authorities are now raising the public awareness about the flu, distributing pamphlets, taking surveillance measures and raising bio-safety in the country.
   
According to reports, the A/H1N1 virus, originating from Mexico, spread to 21 countries from April 17 to May 5 with 5,368 suspected cases around the world. And 1,490 people have been infected and 31 killed.

Mexico sees slightly bigger fiscal gap from flu

Mexico sees slightly bigger fiscal gap from flu

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico expects a slightly bigger than originally forecast fiscal deficit this year as it factors in government spending to help the economy bounce back from a flu outbreak that paralyzed key industries for nearly a week.

"It was expected to be about 1.8 percent (of gross domestic product) but it is going to be slightly higher, between 1.9 percent and 2.0 percent," Finance Minister Agustin Carstens told Televisa network.

The flu outbreak, which has killed at least 26 people in Mexico, prompted President Felipe Calderon to shut down factories, offices, restaurants and schools. On Wednesday, businesses were expected to slowly restart activity.

The halt could knock up to half a percentage point off Mexico's economic growth this year, Carstens predicted on Tuesday.

The government has promised tax relief that is seen costing the country a total of 17.4 billion pesos ($1.3 billion) and more than 10 billion pesos in emergency financing from Mexican development banks to lift affected companies.

(Reporting by Cyntia Barrera Diaz; Editing by Andrea Ricci)

Aspera Enterprise Server Awarded Best of Show at Bio-IT Awards

Leading High-speed File Transfer Company Wins IT Infrastructure Category for Moving Vast Data Sets to Accelerate Research and Business Opportunities

Bio-IT World Conference & Expo

EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aspera, creators of next-generation software technologies that move the world's digital assets at maximum speed regardless of file size, transfer distance or network conditions, was awarded the Best of Show Award for its Aspera Enterprise Server in the IT Infrastructure category at the recent Bio-IT World Conference & Expo in Boston.

Judged by a team of Bio-IT World magazine editors and highly regarded industry experts, the Best of Show Awards recognizes new products which demonstrate exceptional technology innovations across the life sciences research, discovery and clinical trials process. Aspera Enterprise Server is being used by organizations such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the European Bioinformatics Institute to move vast data sets, such as genomic sequences, across global networks without impacting other network applications. With the ability to exchange critical data globally at maximum speed, life sciences companies using Aspera are able to accelerate strategic research, and maximize productivity and business opportunities.

"Each year our exhibitors present the tools and solutions that are critical to driving the drug discovery and clinical industries forward," said Allison Proffitt, managing editor of Bio-IT World. "There is a wealth of cutting edge and smart technologies for our judges to choose from. We congratulate Aspera as one of the 2009 Best of Show winners and look forward to seeing how Aspera Enterprise Server enables and transforms the industry."

"We've recently seen strong demand from life sciences, biotech and healthcare companies eager for more efficient means to transport ever increasing amounts of data and are pleased to contribute to potentially life-changing endeavours such as NCBI/NIH's 1000 Genomes Project," said Michelle Munson, president and co-founder of Aspera. "It is a great honor to be recognized by Bio-IT World for our technology and we will continue to develop innovative products that help drive cutting edge research and development."

Aspera's next-generation fasp transport technology eliminates network bottlenecks and dramatically increases transfer speeds – up to 1000x over standard FTP – regardless of transfer distance, file size and network conditions. Aspera software technology fully utilizes existing network infrastructures to deliver the fastest, fully predictable, end-to-end file transfer experience and provides unprecedented control over bandwidth, complete security and uncompromising reliability.

About Bio-IT World

Bio-IT World (www.bio-itworld.com), the flagship publication of Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), is the leading source of news on technology and strategic innovation in drug discovery, development, and clinical trials. Bio-IT World explores the tools and results of predictive biology as the industry adapts to the new world of personalized medicine. Bio-IT World has won 34 national and regional awards, more than any other magazine covering the life sciences industry.

About Aspera

Aspera is the creator of next-generation transport technologies that move the world's digital assets at maximum speed regardless of file size, transfer distance and network conditions. Based on its patent-pending fasp™ protocol, only Aspera software fully utilizes existing infrastructures to deliver the fastest, most predictable file transfer experience. Aspera's core technology delivers unprecedented control over bandwidth, complete security and uncompromising reliability. Hundreds of organizations across a variety of industries rely on Aspera for the business-critical transport of their digital assets. Aspera empowers individuals and corporations to dramatically increase productivity, minimize operational costs, expand revenues and explore new business models.

Visit www.asperasoft.com for more information.

White House Announces Plans to Explore Biofuel Alternatives

White House Announces Plans to Explore Biofuel Alternatives

As part of its effort to address the need for alternative energy sources, the White House announced the formation of the Biofuels Interagency Working Group on Tuesday, a consortium of the Departments of Agriculture and Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The New York Times reported that the newly formed group will focus on boosting the ethanol industry. Plans include shielding corn ethanol producers from the credit crisis, finding ways to cut their use of natural gas and coal in ethanol production, and encouraging the auto industry to produce vehicles that can use ethanol in concentrations of up to 85 percent. The federal government announced that help will be given to refinance existing ethanol and biodiesel factories whose owners face credit trouble, guaranteeing loans for the construction of new bio-refineries, and speeding funding to help producers of cellulosic crops (portions of crops that are not used for food, such as corn stalks).


CNET.com reported that Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the availability of $768.5 million for biofuels research. Over half of those funds will be made available through grants to demonstrate "integrated bio-refinery technologies," which show that refineries can use alternatives to fossil fuels to operate. Research money will also go toward the creation of an algae biofuels consortium and a group dedicated to biofuels compatible with the existing infrastructure.

The new initiative illustrates the Obama administration's continued dedication to solving yet another immediate crisis – that of finding a climate-friendly, oil-independent source of energy, that can be implemented into the existing infrastructure without overhauling the system. However, ethanol has been blamed recently for the rise in global food prices, along with the factor that the fuels used at ethanol refineries produce more pollution than it's worth.

Bio-Imaging Technologies makes tender offer for etrials Worldwide

Bio-Imaging Technologies makes tender offer for etrials Worldwide

Bio-Imaging Technologies Inc. is making a tender offer for shares in etrials Worldwide Inc., both companies said Tuesday.

Under the proposed offer, etrials (NASDAQ:ETWC) stockholders will receive 0.124 shares of newly issued Bio-Imaging (NASDAQ:BITI) common stock and 15 cents per etrials share.

The roughly $10 million offer represents a 27 premium to the average closing price for etrials stock for the past 30 days.

Stockholders owning about 33 percent of etrials outstanding shares have already agreed to tender their shares.

Etrials Worldwide Inc. of Morrisville, N.C., provides electronic clinical software and services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and contract research organizations. Bio-Imaging of Newtown, Pa., is a contract research organization that specializes in medical image management.

The tender offer is expected to expire on or about June 15.