The world still faces a substantial threat of a flu pandemic and countries need to speed up preparations for a global outbreak, health experts said Tuesday.”We can’t delude ourselves. The threat of a pandemic influenza has not diminished,” said Keiji Fukuda, coordinator for the World Health Organization’s Global Influenza Program.

Fukuda spoke to a meeting of around 150 health experts from governments, WHO and other agencies to update WHO’s pandemic influenza preparedness plan.

H1N1 Vaccine More Readily Available

The Swine Flu vaccine will be ready a week earlier than expected says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The early release date is due to the discovery of a one dose vaccine. Like China, the United States has found a way to vaccinate the virus with one shot for healthy adults, unlike the previous two shot solution.

Earlier Release Date Planned for H1N1 Vaccine

Mutagens cause changes (mutations) in the genetic material of cells. Teratogens cause irreversible, deleterious structural malformations in fetuses. Some congenital malformations are so severe they result in grossly deformed fetuses. Carcinogens cause cancerous tumors with a characteristically crablike appearance.

Elmo New Spokesperson Against H1N1

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that they have recruited Sesame Street icon Elmo to warn children about the Swine Flu. In the ad campaign, Elmo will tell children how to fight H1N1 with basic health habits, such as washing your hands and sneezing properly. Elmo and the Sesame Street cast helped warn of the Swine Flu during the outbreak in Mexico. The joint project between the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Education hope to see the same positive results of the ads here in the U.S.

The ads will also stress the importance of a new vaccine the government predicts will be available in mid-October. The vaccine is currently being tested and will require two shots within a week of each other. Unfortunately, the vaccine doesn't work with a person's immune system immediately. Even with the shots, it will take until November before people will be fully protected. Click the link below for the full article:

Elmo Joins H1N1 Flu Fight