Health Highlights: Aug. 10, 2009
Aug. 11 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:
U.S., Canada, Mexico to Unite Against Swine Flu
U.S., Mexican and Canadian leaders announced a combined effort Monday to combat the return of H1N1 swine flu this fall, and those measures are unlikely to include border closings, the Agence France Presse reported.
"We will remain vigilant and pledge to continue our close collaboration in addressing the H1N1 pandemic," said U.S. President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon in a joint statement in Mexico.
General border closings probably could not contain the virus and might make social and economic consequences of the pandemic even worse, they said.
"We will look to enhance our exchange of information, ensure common understanding of the effectiveness of public health measures, and share expertise," the three leaders said.
It is thought that the H1N1 virus will pick up strength in winter. "We three countries are preparing to confront this virus responsibly and minimize its impact for our people," Calderon said. In Mexico, where the death toll from swine flu advanced in recent weeks, a new public campaign will begin in October, the AFP said.
Worldwide, swine flu has killed 1,008 people, according to the World Health Organization.
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Antiviral Drugs Little Protection Against Flu Complications in Kids
The antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza rarely prevent complications in children with seasonal flu, a finding that calls into question the policy of giving the drugs to youngsters with swine flu, say U.K. researchers.
The medicines are the main line of defense against swine flu until a vaccine becomes available, possibly in the fall.
"Our research is finding for most children these antiviral drugs are probably not going to have much of an effect," said study author Matthew Thompson of the University of Oxford, BBC News reported.
