The WHO and Norwegian health authorities a mutation in the H1N1 swine flu strain. The mutation could be responsible for causing the severest symptoms among those infected, as it goes deeper into the respiratory system.
Norwegian scientists say they have detected the mutation two patients who died of the flu and a third who was severely ill. However, the WHO and CDC released statements that said, at this point, there is no indication that the mutated H1N1 virus would be resistant to the antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu which are used to treat those with the illness.
Additionally, there is no indication that the H1N1 vaccine would not be effective against the mutated strain. That said, shortages of the vaccine still exist.
At this point, although the Norwegian strain has been confirmed as a mutation, it has only been found in 3 of 70 patients examined by authorities. Given this, Geir Stene-Larsen, the director general of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, said in a statement:
"Based on what we know so far, it seems that the mutated virus does not circulate in the population, but might be a result of spontaneous changes which have occurred in these three patients. "
The CDC in the U.S. was careful to state there is no cause for alarm, at least yet. It is true, however, that Norway, relative to its small size, has seen relatively more fatalities in the flu pandemic when compared with other European countries, with 23 confirmed deaths.
As indicated by the Institute, the mutated virus affects lung tissue more severely, which could lead to pneumonia or other more serious diseases. A similar mutation had earlier been detected in H1N1 viruses in several other countries, including China and the United States, in severe as well as in some mild cases, the WHO added. It is unclear if the other mutation affected lung tissue in the same manner as the Norwegian one.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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