Latest Video of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant as of March 27, 2011

As you can see, the reactors are still smoking out of control. Click here if the video above is not displaying.

First Documentary about Frank Marshall Davis (Rises & Roses)

This is the first documentary that I have ever seen on Frank Marshall Davis. I actually have his biography which I need to read sometime soon. If you cannot view the videos above, here are the videos in their respective parts.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

For further reading:

1. Frank Marshall Davis - Barack Obama's Real Father? (A "Star Wars" Level Conspiracy Theory)

2. FLASHBACK: Frank Marshall Davis' 1987 Interview with Hawaii's Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR)

Second Human Case of H5N1 "Bird Flu" in 2011 Identified in Dhaka, Bangladesh

There are currently nuclear reactor meltdowns caused by earthquake-induced tsunamis in Japan, oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico and wars along the Tripoli shores, so maybe there are enough disasters on the world's plate right now. However, things seem to come in waves (no pun intended), so I would not be surprised to see a major pandemic break out somewhere in the world. The powers-that-be have been touting the H5N1 "bird flu" as one possible source. While it hasn't happened yet, I still monitor when cases are reported.

2nd Human case of Influenza H5N1 in 2011

A case of Influenza H5N1 has been identified from one of our surveillance sites in Dhaka on 15th of March 2011. This was confirmed by Real-time RT-PCR.

This is 31 month old male child who has presented with a history of cough and fever.

Nasal and throat swab and blood were collected and found positive for H5N1.

He has no symptom of illness now and completely recovered.

This is the 2nd case of H5N1 infections in human this year.

It may be mention here that the first human case of H5N1 was reported in Bangladesh in May 2008.

Source: Bangladesh Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research

Photographs of the Latest Oil Slick in the Gulf of Mexico (March, 2011)

If the pics above do not display, click here to visit the slideshow.

Video of Fukushima Reactor 3 Building Blowing Sky High?

Is this video of the Fukushima Reactor 3 Building blowing sky high? If you cannot see the video link above, click here to view it.

Was Japan's 8.9 Earthquake Caused by HAARP?

Let me state up front that I'm not saying that HAARP caused the earthquake. However, as a conspiracy theory blog, I have to cover all the bases. I will update this article as more information becomes available.

In case you missed it, a devastating 8.9 earthquake hit Japan this morning around 5:46 UTC on March 11, 2011.

The 03/11/2011 earthquake (preliminary magnitude 8.9) near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, occurred as a result of thrust faulting on or near the subduction zone interface plate boundary between the Pacific and North America plates. At the latitude of this earthquake, the Pacific plate moves approximately westwards with respect to the North America plate at a velocity of 83 mm/yr. The Pacific plate thrusts underneath Japan at the Japan Trench, and dips to the west beneath Eurasia. The location, depth, and focal mechanism of the March 11 earthquake are consistent with the event having occurred as thrust faulting associated with subduction along this plate boundary. Note that some authors divide this region into several microplates that together define the relative motions between the larger Pacific, North America and Eurasia plates; these include the Okhotsk and Amur microplates that are respectively part of North America and Eurasia.

If you check out the HAARP magnetometer image above, you will see a lot of HAARP activity between 4:00 UTC and 8:00 UTC. The link for the HAARP magnetometer is here, but it will likely be outdated if you are viewing this site at a later point in time.

Previous readers of this blog may know that there have been many allegations about HAARP being responsible for many natural disasters. See also: Secrets of Cold War Technology - Project HAARP and Beyond (Book About Tesla Technologies by Gerry Vassilatos) and Russian Scholar Warns that U.S. HAARP Device May Have Caused Russian Heatwave & Fires.

As for a potential motive, perhaps it is because Japan has thoughts of becoming a nuclear state.

Tokyo's outspoken Governor says his country, which suffered history's only nuclear attack, should build nuclear weapons to counter the threat from fast-rising China.

In an interview with The Independent, Shintaro Ishihara said Japan could develop nuclear weapons within a year and send a strong message to the world.

Source: The Independent

Rig Fire at GI 101A Oil Production Platform in Gulf of Mexico (Raw Video)

Per the U.S. Coast Guard:

A fire burns on board the GI 102A oil production platform 50 miles south of Grand Isle, March 6, 2011. The Coast Guard responded with multiple sea and air assets to the reports of the fire -- rescuing the two individuals who were on board the platform at the time. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

FLASHBACK: Terahertz Radiation Fields Reportedly Destroy Human DNA

Airport Scanner - DNA Breathing Dynamics in the Presence of a Terahertz Field

This is why I will not go through a body scanners. Although the reports say the airport scanners operate at a sub-terahertz frequency, I do not necessarily believe the reports. There is no way to penetrate clothing and other materials without a serious dose of a radiation. A serious dose of radiation aimed at the human body will have a negative effect. I don't need science to tell me this fact, but if you are not convinced, then download this document (DNA Breathing Dynamics in the Presence of a Terahertz Field) at the official web link here.

Abstract - We consider the influence of a terahertz field on the breathing dynamics of double-stranded DNA. We model the spontaneous formation of spatially localized openings of a damped and driven DNA chain, and find that linear instabilities lead to dynamic dimerization, while true local strand separations require a threshold amplitude mechanism. Based on our results we argue that a specifi c terahertz radiation exposure may significantly aff ect the natural dynamics of DNA, and thereby influence intricate molecular processes involved in gene expression and DNA replication...

See also page 4 of the document...

In summary, we have found that a THz field may cause dynamical separations of the DNA double-strand...

This suggests that THz radiation may signi cantly interfere with the naturally occurring local strand separation dynamics of double-stranded DNA, and consequently, with DNA function...

Source: arXiv

Declassifed Government Research Paper Reveals Evidence for Possible Companion Star to Sun

Evidence for a Solar Companion Star (1984)

I'm posting this one for all the 10th Planet, Planet X and Nibiru readers who might be checking out my page. If the above image of the document does not appear, you can check it out on the government's web page.

Periodicity seen in both the mass extinctions and large impact cratering on earth can be explained if one postulates that the sun has a companion star, orbiting in a moderately eccentric orbit with a major axis of 2.8 light-years. No other explanations that have been suggested are compatible with known facts of physics and astronomy. If the companion is a red dwarf star, the most common kind in the galaxy, then no previous astronomical observations would have found it. A search for red objects with large parallax is now underway at Berkeley, and has a good chance of identifying the star in the near future.

Second Boeing-Built Unmanned Orbital Test Vehicle X-37B Begins Flight

Photo: Boeing

I previously covered the X-37B orbital test vehicle. It is the first unmanned space vehicle to successfully return after completing a mission. Here is the second act in this drama. Coincidentally, the Air Force unveils this program almost concurrently with the retiring of the Space Shuttle fleet.

###

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., March 5, 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful launch of the second Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) for the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). The OTV was launched on an Atlas V rocket into a low-Earth orbit today at 5:46 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 41.

"History was made in December when the X-37B became the United States' first unmanned vehicle to return from space and land on its own," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "The success of that mission validated this reusable and effective way to test new technologies in space and return them for examination.

"Today, we took another important step with the successful launch of the second OTV, enabling the RCO to further experiment with the vehicle and its ability to operate in low-Earth orbit," Cooning continued. "Close teamwork between the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the United Launch Alliance Atlas team, and the 45th Space Wing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station made this launch a success."

The first OTV was launched in April 2010 and orbited for approximately eight months. In December, it successfully de-orbited and landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., where it continues to undergo post-flight evaluation.

The X-37B design combines the best of aircraft and spacecraft design into an affordable, unmanned space-based test platform. Program objectives include space experimentation, risk reduction, and concept-of-operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.

Boeing's commitment to this space-based unmanned vehicle spans a decade and includes support to the Air Force Research Lab's X-40 program, NASA's X-37 program, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's X-37 Approach, Landing and Test Vehicle program.

Boeing program management, engineering, test and mission support functions for the OTV program are conducted at Boeing sites in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and El Segundo, Calif.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 66,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

# # #

Contact:
Diana Ball
Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems
Office: 562-797-4303
Mobile: 714-319-1014
diana.ball@boeing.com

Philippine Department of Energy Allegedly Verifies Self-Charging Electric Vehicle Using Free Energy Technology

I have not verified this story, but if it is indeed true, then it will have global implications in terms of energy efficiency and usage. Basically, the inventor claims that he has created an electric vehicle system that is self-charging. Check the above video and below along with the selected information from the article and then decide whether it is legit.

Let's hope and pray that this guy doesn't come up missing!

Further information about this self-charging electric vehicle may be read below:

We are talking about an electric vehicle that can drive down the road without having to stop to re-charge, because the energy is derived onboard from the surroundings, in real time; in the tradition of Nikola Tesla's Pierce Arrow.

The inventor, Ismael Aviso has posted videos showing himself and others driving his electric vehicle down the road, and the single 12-Volt battery that is connected to the 11-kilowatt DC motor doesn't run down, but stays charged -- more than full, at 13 volts, as measured periodically...

...The energy allegedly comes through an onboard antenna...

Charlie Sheen's Interview with Alex Jones on February 24, 2011

Pneumonic Plague Outbreak in Madagascar Kills Sixteen (16) People

I keep my eyes on any story involving the pneumonic plague and this story of a pneumonic plague outbreak killing sixteen (16) people in Madagascar caught my attention.

Date: Sun 20 Feb 2011

Source: La Tribune online, Diego Suarez, Madagascar

[In French, trans. JW, edited]

http://latribune.cyber-diego.com/actualites/299-epidemie-de-peste-dans-le-nord-de-madagascar.html>

An epidemic of pneumonic plague has been raging for weeks in the northern region of Madagascar, mainly around Ambilobe. There are already 16 deaths attributed to this epidemic.

This statement of the "Chancellery detached from France" in Diego Suarez is based on information from the referring doctor's office, Dr. Anant Govinjee: "An epidemic of pneumonic plague occurred in the region between Diana and Ambilobe Ambanja, specifically east of Beramanja (65 km). The first suspected case appeared 27 Jan 2011, followed by a first death on 29 Jan 2011. The death toll stands at 16.

Source: ISID

U.S. Army Wants Machine Gun Rubber Bullets for Crowd Control (M1044, 40mm Non-Lethal (NL) Blunt Trauma, Linked Cartridge)

Hmmm, would the Army be wanting to buy rapid-fire rubber bullets for its machine guns (see: the image of the MK19 40mm machine gun above) for crowd control purposes unless it was expecting to have a need to use these rubber bullets at some point in the near future? My money is on a localized food riot, but there are many possibilities. Nevertheless, the closing date for this bid is February 21, 2011.

The original bid was first posted back in December, 2010, but the updated bid is here. The revised does not change much about the original bid. The Army's version of the bid is here.

Per the latest notice on January 7, 2011, there was supposed to be an RFP by January 19, but I can't seem to locate it yet. If someone else has a link to the RFP, please feel free to post it in the comments. Otherwise, I will update it when I do find it.

Coming straight out of the Army's "Center of Lethality" !!

###

Solicitation Number:

W15QKN-11-R-B005

Notice Type:

Presolicitation

Synopsis:

Added: Dec 08, 2010 4:04 pm

The U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC), Joint Munitions & Lethality (JM&L) Contracting Center, on behalf of the

Project Manager, Close Combat Systems and the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (RDECOM-ARDEC),

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000

intends to issue a solicitation requirement for a XM1044, 40mm Non-Lethal (NL) Blunt Trauma, Linked Cartridge which will operate out of the MK19 Mod 3 Grenade Machine Gun. The XM1044 Cartridge will be used to confuse, disorient, or momentarily distract potential threats without the use of deadly force. This cartridge is intended to be an area fire, low hazard, and non-shrapnel producing device. The XM1044 shall meet MIL-PRF-XM1044VB0, Performance Specification for the XM1044. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 332993.This will be a competitive acquisition resulting in the award of an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ), Firm Fixed Price contract(s) with a duration of five years, which includes Design Verification Testing (DVT), First Article Testing of the XM1044, 40mm NL Blunt Trauma, Linked Cartridges to MIL-PRF-XM1044VB0, and delivery of XM1044 inert, cutaway, and NL Cartridges. The required Delivery Schedule will be approximately 12,000-15,000 XM1044 per month.

An integrated assessment will be made from the results of the evaluation of the factors as set forth in Section M of the solicitation. Pre-award surveys may be conducted. The Government intends to make only one award as a result of this RFP. The Government will select for award the proposal that represents the Best Value to the Government.

It is anticipated that this solicitation will be posted on the US Army JM&L, LCMC Procurement Network website located at http://procnet.pica.army.mil and FedBizOpps https://www.fbo.gov/. Be advised that this notice does not constitute an RFP. The RFP will be issued on or about 23 December 2010. Contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database by accessing the CCR web site at http://www.ccr.gov in order to be eligible for contract award. The point of contact for this action is Jillian Foley, jillian.foley@us.army.mil, Contract Specialist, (973) 724-3271, ACC JM&L Contracting Center, Close Combat Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000.

Additional Info:

US ARMY TACOM-Picatinny Procurement Network

Contracting Office Address:

US Army, Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions and Lethality (JM&L) Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

Point of Contact(s):

Jillian Foley, Contract Specialist,
(973)724-3271

Jillian Foley

FCC to Air First-Ever Presidential Alert on Nation's Emergency Alert System

When I did radio in Santa Barbara, there was a protocol in place to conduct emergency broadcast transmissions and the radio station (per the FCC) required that the DJs conduct regular tests of the system. I don't recall ever transmitting an emergency broadcast, but I certainly conducted tests that usually only took a minute or two. President Obama's administration is taking it a step further and will broadcast an actual Presidential Alert on this system for the first time ever.

###

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.

See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA

CONTACT:

February 3, 2011

Robert Kenny: 202-418-0506

Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov

FCC ACTION PAVES WAY FOR FIRST-EVER PRESIDENTIAL ALERT TO BE AIRED ACROSS U.S. ON NATION’S EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

Washington D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today took action to help pave the way for the first-ever Presidential alert to be aired across the United States on the Nation’s Emergency Alert System (EAS).

The national test will help determine the reliability of the EAS system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential danger nationwide and regionally.

The FCC voted unanimously to adopt a Third Report and Order that sets forth rules that will facilitate the federal government’s efforts to conduct a national EAS test by transmitting a Presidential Alert from Washington, D.C. to television and radio broadcasters, cable systems and satellite service providers who will then deliver the alert to the American public.

The test will assist the FCC, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS), with assessing the current system and better determining what improvements need to be made to further strengthen the Nation’s EAS, particularly as broadband technologies continue to emerge. Although the date for the National EAS test has yet to be determined, establishing the rules is an important first step in the process.

As Next Generation EAS systems become operational over the next few years, they will complement other public alert and warning systems now being developed, including FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and the Commercial Mobile Alert System that will enable consumers to receive alerts through a variety of multi-media platforms on their smart-phones, blackberries and other mobile broadband devices.

The national test will require EAS participants to be part of the exercise and to receive and transmit a live code that includes a Presidential alert message to their respective viewers and listeners. The FCC, FEMA and NWS, in coordination with EAS participants, will work together to launch a nationwide EAS Public Education and Awareness Campaign that will include press statements, workshops, regional outreach, and television and radio public service announcements targeted to consumers in general, and more specifically persons with disabilities and seniors, as well as first responders and state, local and tribal governments. The outreach will help ensure that the American public is aware that the national test will be conducted and the benefits of these kinds of public alerts in a real emergency.

Action by the Commission, February 3, 2011, by Third Report and Order (FCC 11-12). Chairman Genachowski, and Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker. EB Docket No. 04-296.

For additional information about the Third Report and Order please contact Lisa Fowlkes, Deputy Chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB), at 202-418-7452 or via email: lisa.fowlkes@fcc.gov; or Gregory Cooke, Associate Chief, Policy Division, PSHSB, at 202-418-2351 or via email: gregory.cooke@fcc.gov.

NEWS

News media Information 202 / 418-0500

Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830

TTY 202/418-2555

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

ftp.fcc.gov

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, S.W.

Washington, D. C. 20554

North Dakota Senate Passes Health Care Nullification Bill (Engrossed Senate Bill No. 2309)

The North Dakota Senate just passed a federal health care nullification bill (SB2309) on 27-19 vote. You can read the SB 2309 bill and journal on the official State page or below.

###

ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 2309

11.0742.03000
Sixty-second
Legislative Assembly
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senators Sitte, Berry, Dever
Representatives Kasper, Keiser, Ruby

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to federal health care reform legislation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:

SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 54-03 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows:

Federal health care reform law.

1. The legislative assembly declares that the federal laws known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [Pub . L. 111 - 148] and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 [Pub . L. 111 - 152] are not authorized by the United States Constitution and violate its true meaning and intent as given by the founders and ratifiers.

2. The legislative assembly shall consider enacting any measure necessary to prevent the enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 within this state.

Page No. 1 11.0742.03000

ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 2309

FIRST ENGROSSMENT

###

********************
CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS

SB 2309: SEN. UGLEM (Human Services Committee) MOVED that the amendments on SJ pages 456-457 be adopted and then be placed on the Eleventh order with DO NOT PASS, which motion prevailed on a voice vote.

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILL
SB 2309: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to federal health care reform legislation.

ROLL CALL
The question being on the final passage of the amended bill, which has been read, and has committee recommendation of DO NOT PASS, the roll was called and there were 27 YEAS, 19 NAYS, 0 EXCUSED, 1 ABSENT AND NOT VOTING.

YEAS: Andrist; Berry; Bowman; Christmann; Cook; Dever; Erbele; Freborg; Hogue; Holmberg; Kilzer; Klein; Laffen; Larsen; Lee, G.; Lyson; Miller; Nodland; O'Connell; Oehlke; Olafson; Schaible; Sitte; Sorvaag; Stenehjem; Wanzek; Wardner

NAYS: Burckhard; Dotzenrod; Fischer; Flakoll; Grindberg; Heckaman; Krebsbach; Lee, J.; Luick; Marcellais; Mathern; Murphy; Nelson; Robinson; Schneider; Taylor; Triplett; Uglem; Warner

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING: Nething

Engrossed SB 2309 passed.

San Diego Port Officer Says Nuclear Devices Have Been Found In An American Port

Scary thoughts, but it is not surprising. I don't recall the numbers, but I remember hearing that only a small amount of the cargo arriving in American ports is ever inspected. Hopefully, the Feds have closed the holes in the system, but I doubt it. If the above video is not working, click here for the link.

Global Food Company Sysco Declares Force Majeure Due to Devastating Freeze in Mexico (Expect Food Prices to Increase)

Mexico's Big Freeze - Dated Feb 8, 2011 from www.Sysco.com - World's Largest Food Aggregator, Marketer and...

I cannot find the original source at Sysco where this PDF originates, so I cannot confirm with 100% accuracy that this is a genuine Sysco document. Nevertheless, the alleged text of the document:

###

ALL OF OUR GROWERS HAVE INVOKED THE ACT OF GOD CLAUSE ON OUR CONTRACTS DUE TO THE FOLLOWING RELEASE. WE WILL BE CONTACTING YOU PERSONALLY TO REVIEW HOW THIS WILL AFFECT OUR CONTRACTED ITEMS WITH YOU GOING FORWARD.

THE DEVASTATING FREEZE IN MEXICO IS WORST FREEZE IN OVER 50 YEARS…

THE EXTREME FREEZING TEMPERATURES HIT A VERY BROAD SECTION OF MAJOR GROWING REGIONS IN MEXICO, FROM HERMOSILLO IN THE NORTH ALL THE WAY SOUTH TO LOS MOCHIS AND EVEN SOUTH OF CULIACAN. THE EARLY REPORTS ARE STILL COMING IN BUT MOST ARE SHOWING LOSSES OF CROPS IN THE RANGE OF 80 TO 100%.

EVEN SHADE HOUSE PRODUCT WAS HIT BY THE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPS. IT WILL TAKE 7-10 DAYS TO HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE FROM GROWERS AND FIELD SUPERVISORS, BUT THESE GROWING REGIONS HAVEN’T HAD COLD LIKE THIS IN OVER A HALF CENTURY. THIS TIME OF YEAR, MEXICO SUPPLIES A SIGNIFICANT PERCENT OF NORTH AMERICA’S ROW CROP VEGETABLES SUCH AS: GREEN BEANS, EGGPLANT, CUCUMBERS, SQUASH, PEPPERS, ASPARAGUS, AND ROUND AND ROMA TOMATOES.

FLORIDA NORMALLY IS A MAJOR SUPPLIER FOR THESE ITEMS AS WELL BUT THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN STRUCK WITH SEVERE FREEZE DAMAGE IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY AND UP UNTIL NOW HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE PRODUCT OUT OF MEXICO TO FILL THEIR COMMITMENTS, THAT IS NO LONGER AND OPTION.

WITH THE SERIES OF WEATHER DISASTERS THAT HAS OCCURRED IN BOTH OF THESE MAJOR GROWING AREAS WE WILL EXPERIENCE IMMEDIATE VOLATILE PRICES, EXPECTED LIMITED AVAILABILITY, AND MEDIOCRE QUALITY AT BEST. THIS WILL NOT ONLY HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON SUPPLIES, BUT BECAUSE OF VERY STRONG BLOSSOM DROPS, THIS WILL ALSO IMPACT SUPPLIES 30 – 60 DAYS FROM NOW.

SOME GROWERS ARE MEETING WITH THEIR BOARDS RIGHT NOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RE-PLANT, HOPING FOR A HARVEST BY LATE-MARCH-TO-EARLY-APRIL, OR WHETHER THEY SHOULD DISC THE FIELDS UNDER AND WAIT FOR ANOTHER SEASON.

Finland's National Narcolepsy Task Force Reports Increased Risk of Narcolepsy Observed among Children Given Pandemrix® H1N1 Vaccine

This recent report out of Finland links the Pandemrix® swine flu shot and narcolepsy. The National Narcolepsy Task Force will release the full report on August 31, 2011. The press release follows below after my text.

For further information on Pandemrix® (including the package insert and ingredients), check out my previous blog article GlaxoSmithKline's Pandemrix Approved for Use in the United Kingdom (Ingredients Include Squalene, Thimerosal and H1N1).

###

Increased risk of narcolepsy observed among children and adolescents vaccinated with Pandemrix®

1 Feb 2011

Among those 4-19 years of age who received Pandemrix®-vaccine had a manifold increased risk of falling ill with narcolepsy during the 8 months following vaccination in comparison to those unvaccinated in the same age group. Based on the evaluation done so far, the National Narcolepsy Task Force finds it probable that Pandemrix®-vaccination contributed to the observed increase in incidence of narcolepsy among those 4 -19 years of age. Currently, the most likely explanation is that the increase in narcolepsy is by joint effect of the vaccine and some other factor(s). At the moment, there is no evidence that the increase in narcolepsy observed in Finland could be attributed to the vaccine lots used. The results can be read in the Interim Report of the Task Force which is published on February 1st, 2011.

The association of Pandemrix-vaccination and narcolepsy was studied using extensive registry based data. Data gathered from hospital discharge registries on patients fallen ill with narcolepsy during years 2009-10 was linked with data from primary care records on pandemic vaccination. The observed association is so evident that it is unlikely that other so-called confounding factors could fully explain the phenomenon.

In Finland during years 2009–10, 60 children and adolescents aged 4-19 years fell ill with narcolepsy. These figures base on data from hospitals and primary care, and the review of individual patient records by a panel of neurologists and sleep researchers. Of those fallen ill, 52 (almost 90 percent) had received Pandemrix® vaccine, while the vaccine coverage in the entire age group was 70 percent. Based on the preliminary analyses, the risk of falling ill with narcolepsy among those vaccinated in the 4-19 years age group was 9-fold in comparison to those unvaccinated in the same age group. This increase was most pronounced among those 5–15 years of age. No cases were observed among those under 4 years of age. Also, no increase in cases of narcolepsy or signs of vaccination impacting risk of falling ill with narcolepsy was observed among those above 19 years of age.

In addition to Finland, increase in cases of narcolepsy observed only in Sweden and Iceland

In 2009, among countries using similar pandemic vaccine as was used in Finland, an increase in cases of narcolepsy has been observed only in Finland, Sweden and Iceland. Contrary to the observations in Finland, narcolepsy has occurred in greater numbers than expected also among unvaccinated children and teenagers in Iceland.

The association between narcolepsy and PandemrixR vaccine requires more investigations

During the coming months, these preliminary register based results will be confirmed in Finland. In further investigations, special attention will be given to infections and other stimuli in close time association with the pandemic vaccination. The significance of the possible joint effects will be explored.

In addition, other significant co-factors contributing to the onset of narcolepsy will be evaluated in epidemiologic, immunologic and genetic studies planned. The main aim of the immunologic studies is to clarify, whether the immunological responses to the different components of the Pandemrix® vaccine and to the A(H1N1) virus among those children and teenagers with genetic disposition to narcolepsy and those fallen ill with narcolepsy differ from the immunological responses of other children and teenagers not belonging to these risk groups.

It is also of utmost importance to find out whether the association is observed also elsewhere than in Finland. At present, Finland is participating in the ECDC contracted, VAESO led narcolepsy background incidence and case control studies which are being conducted in 9 European Union countries by pharmacovigilance researchers from Public Health Institutes, Regulatory Agencies and Universities. These studies will evaluate the contribution of the pandemic vaccines and other risk factors in the onset of narcolepsy, and confirm whether increase in incidence in narcolepsy is seen in other countries. The outcomes of these studies will be reported during early summer 2011.

By January 24, 2011, 56 notifications of narcolepsy in association with Pandemrix® vaccination have been received by the National Vaccine Adverse Events Register maintained at the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland. Of these, 54 cases belonged to the age group of 4–19 years. Among most of the notified cases, the onset of symptoms of narcolepsy had started approximately two months following Pandemrix® vaccination.

The final report from the National Narcolepsy Task Force will be released by 31st August 2011.

Further information

WHO: Pandemrix® vaccine and increased risk of narcolepsy

Terhi Kilpi
Director of Department of Vaccines and Immune Protection, Chairman of the Task Force
National Institute of Health and Welfare, THL
tel +358 20 610 8678

Hanna Nohynek
Vaccine Safety Officer, Secretary of the Task Force
National Institute of Health and Welfare,THL
Tel +358 20 610 8246

Short address: http://www.thl.fi/doc/en/24103

Picture of the Day - The Egyptian Uprising Against Mubarak (#January25)

If you cannot view the picture, you can click the following for an alternate link.