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H1N1 not likely to mutate into superbug: study
Washington (AFP) Sept 1, 2009 The H1N1 virus that causes swine flu is not likely to mutate this season into a "superbug," one of some scientists' worst fears, according to research published Tuesday. The University of Maryland study on ferrets found that the virus does not readily combine with seasonal flu strains that could help foster a more virulent mutant flu. "The H1N1 pandemic virus has a clear biological advantage over the two main seasonal flu strains and all the makings of a virus fully adapted to humans," explained virologist Daniel Perez of the University of Maryland-based Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza Coordinated Agricultural Project. "I'm not surprised to find that the pandemic virus is more infectious, simply because it's new, so hosts haven't had a chance to build immunity yet. Meanwhile, the older strains encounter resistance from hosts' immunity to them," Perez added. Some animals infected with both the new virus and earlier seasonal viruses developed respiratory symptoms and intestinal illness as well. Perez and his team, whose work appeared in the online journal PLOS Currents, urged more research to see if such co-infection and multiple symptoms may explain some of the deaths attributed to the new virus. "Our findings underscore the need for vaccinating against the pandemic flu virus this season," Perez concludes. "The findings of this study are preliminary, but the far greater communicability of the pandemic virus serves as a clearly blinking warning light."
earlier related report The health ministry announced in a statement late on Monday that the most recent victims were four people in western Maharashtra state, which has seen 55 deaths from the A(H1N1) virus. The official figures showed that there have been nearly 4,000 confirmed cases of the virus overall. More than 1,600 were in Maharashtra, with many in the city of Pune, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) southeast of Mumbai. India's first confirmed case of swine flu was in May. The first death was on August 3. Fears about contracting swine flu led to huge queues forming outside government hospitals while the rising death toll led to the temporary closure of schools and cinemas in and around Mumbai and Pune. All 22 international airports have been testing travellers arriving from countries affected by swine flu. India's health minister has warned that the country, home to 1.2 billion people, should brace for a "large-scale" swine flu pandemic, as more indigenous cases of the virus were reported. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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Flu threat rules out election hugs and handshakesOslo (AFP) Sept 1, 2009 The threat of swine flu causing empty voting booths and bedridden politicians is being taken seriously ahead of Norway's general election this month. Politicians are trying to avoid hugs and handshakes and carry around disinfectant with them, while campaign workers wear throwaway gloves to give out free cups of coffee ahead of the September 14 vote. As pollsters predict a close race ... read more |
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