Economy-Finance

CORRECTED – US sees rise in secondary infections after flu

(Corrects quote in paragraph 6 to read “intensive” insteadof “invasive”)

* Bacterial infections show worrisome rise

* US now has 61.2 million swine flu vaccine doses

* No signals of vaccine safety problems

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON, Nov 25 (Reuters) – U.S. health officials saidon Wednesday they are seeing a worrying pattern of seriousbacterial infections in swine flu patients, mostly amongyounger adults not normally vulnerable to them.

The pattern is typical of pandemics such as the currentH1N1 pandemic but shows the need for patients and doctors tokeep an eye out for the infections and treat them quickly, Dr.Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control andPrevention told reporters.

“We are seeing an increase of serious pneumococcalinfections around the country,” Schuchat told a telephonebriefing.

“That is the serious type of pneumococcal disease where thebacteria invades the blood and other internal sites.” Theseso-called secondary infections can follow infection with avirus such as flu and often are seen among people who die frominfluenza.

A close look in Denver showed 58 cases of seriousStreptococcus pneumoniae infections in October, a month whenusually about 20 cases are seen, Schuchat said. And while suchinfections normally affect people over 65, these were almostall among people under 60, she said.

“The findings in Denver probably reflect infections thatare occurring in other parts of the country where surveillancehasn’t been as intensive,” Schuchat said.

Merck (MRK.N ) makes a vaccine called Pneumovax to protectadults against 23 strains of these streptococcal bacteria,which is recommended for adults with diabetes, asthma, cancerand other conditions, as well as smokers. But only about aquarter of adults who should get it ever do, Schuchat said.

Children are protected against seven strains of thesebacteria with Pfizer Inc’s (PFE.N ) Prevnar.

Strep infections can be treated with antibiotics and thesymptoms are often clear, Schuchat said.

“Having a high fever and cough and then feeling miserableand then feeling better and then suddenly taking a turn for theworse — that is a serious warning sign,” she said.

The U.S. government is trying to vaccinate as many as 160million high-priority people but companies are having troublemaking and packaging vaccine. As of Wednesday, Schuchat said61.2 million doses of H1N1 vaccine had been used or were readyto order.  Continued…