The Herald reports that a report by Martin Dawe of the first two weeks of the Swine Flu epidemic is intensely critical of the lack of planning and poor coordination of data resources. This was the MacDoctor’s impression of the entire debacle. I knew of a potentially deadly strain of Mexican flu three days before [...]

In a move that defies all logic, the FDA advisory panel investigating the contamination of Rotavirus vaccine with pig virus has recommended that vaccine use be continued because “The vaccines offer a clear public health benefit that far outweighs a “theoretical” risk from PCV (Porcine Circo-virus)”. How very reassuring. Not. PCV type 1 was found [...]

Apparently, John Key gave a speech today in parliament. Must have slept through it. Add a Comment

The Lancet has finally withdrawn the paper on MMR and autism that it published 12 years ago. The study: “Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children” consisted of a series of 12 children all of whom had been referred in to a paediatric gastroenterology unit with a triad of autism-like symptoms, abdominal [...]

Obama has declared the Swine Flu epidemic in the US a national emergency. Swine Flu has been a public health emergency since April of this year, but making it a national emergency provides people like Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius quite sweeping powers to bypass most federal rules. I am a little curious as [...]

I see once again the “superbug” is in the news, with poor old North Shore Hospital attempting to control an outbreak by splitting up their wards. Having worked in such an environment, I know exactly how frustrating that can be for nursing staff. Reverse barrier nursing (gloves, gowns, caps and overshoes to protect the nurse [...]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers the world over will be very happy that there is now reliable evidence that the  virus XMRV is a likely cause of CFS. XMRV is a retrovirus found in rats, which has previously been implicated in certain type of aggressive prostate cancer. This study ably demonstrates that 67% of CFS sufferers carry the [...]

Centre for Disease Control in the US has announced that the H1N1 virus’ genetic makeup now “appears to be stable”. The cynical side of the MacDoctor finds the juxtaposition of this pronouncement on the back of the FDA announcing their approval of the first Swine flu vaccine just a little too convenient. Especially when the [...]

Stuff reports on a new vaccine that has been shown to provide some protection against AIDS. The vaccine was shown to reduce the incidence of contracting the disease by 31%. All other vaccines against AIDS have been abject failures.  While this is indeed great news, the MacDoctor cautions against breaking out the champaign. 31% is [...]

Spam Journalism: The spurious use of sensational headlines to add spice to an otherwise pointless article. Today, the Tabloid on Sunday delivers a double dose of spam (actually there is way more where these came from, but these are all I can be bothered to blog about): Superbug fears under microscope MercyAscot has appointed an [...]