Thursday, May 21, 2009

ABC News: Some Older People May Be Immune to Swine Flu - ABC News

Older adults might have some pre-existing immunity to H1N1 swine flu, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Older adults might have some pre-existing immunity to H1N1 swine flu
(Getty Images)

Lab tests showed that some adults, particularly those older than 60, had antibodies against the new strain, but Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC cautioned against reading too much into the finding.

'We don't know yet what that will mean in terms of actual immunity or clinical protection,' she said on a conference call with reporters.

As the worldwide H1N1 flu outbreak progresses, evidence continues to point to a disproportionate number of infections in school-age children and younger adults.

Of the swine flu cases reported to the CDC, 64 percent are in 5- to 24-year-olds and just 1 percent are in individuals older than 65. That's an unusual pattern compared with seasonal influenza, which primarily affects the very young or old.

ABC News: Some Older People May Be Immune to Swine Flu

AFP: Mexico City lifts flu restrictions



MEXICO City officials on Thursday fully lifted health restrictions imposed last month when the deadly H1N1 flu virus first spread shockwaves throughout the country, particularly in the capital.

The A(H1N1) virus has killed 75 in Mexico and infected 3,817 people, according to the health ministry.

The website of the the sprawling capital dropped its five-level alert to the lowest level green on Thursday, signaling that schools, businesses and transport could function as normal, without extra health precautions.

Most children returned to school last week across the country, while a handful of states with suspected cases waited until this week to re-open, as officials assured the public that the virus is on the wane.

'We can calm down now,' said Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard in a news conference.

AFP: Mexico City lifts flu restrictions