Deadly H1N1 Variant Found in Hong Kong: Experts Worry About Severe Epidemic Situation ORACLE

by sea8gate1 on 2009-11-25 11:28:43

Deadly H1N1 Variant Virus Found in Hong Kong: Experts Worry About Severe Epidemic

According to reports by the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, the variant virus that caused two deaths in Norway last week may have already appeared in Hong Kong as early as July. The Department of Health in Hong Kong, based on the variant virus data published by Norway, examined the genetic sequences of the H1N1 influenza virus samples previously tested in their surveillance system. As a result, among the 123 genetic sequence studies conducted by the department, one viral sample was found to have undergone mutation, with its genetic sequence matching the lethal variant virus identified in Norway.

A one-year-old boy in Hong Kong was found infected with the mutated H1N1 virus (identical to the Norwegian virus) and had been admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin at the end of July. [Photo from archival records]

People's Daily Online, November 24 - According to reports by the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, the variant virus that led to two deaths in Norway last week may have already surfaced in Hong Kong as early as July. The Department of Health in Hong Kong announced yesterday that a variant virus identical to the cases in Norway was discovered in a respiratory sample taken from a one-year-old boy. Shockingly, this boy had contracted the illness as early as July this year but has since fully recovered, predating the Norwegian cases.

Some microbiology experts stated that while all influenza viruses undergo minor genetic changes, if there is a significant mutation in the virus's genes, it could potentially render the vaccines previously ordered by the Hong Kong government ineffective, making the second wave of the flu pandemic more severe. They urged relevant departments to carefully analyze the extent of the genetic mutations in the variant H1N1 virus and adjust the anti-epidemic strategies if necessary.

The Department of Health in Hong Kong, according to the variant virus data released by Norway, checked the genetic sequences of the H1N1 influenza virus samples previously tested in their surveillance system. In the 123 genetic sequence studies conducted by the department, one viral sample was found to have undergone mutation, with its genetic sequence matching the lethal variant virus identified in Norway.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health pointed out that the strain of the virus was isolated from a viral sample taken from a one-year-old boy. This boy developed flu-like symptoms on July 22 and was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital three days later, where he was confirmed to be infected with H1N1. He subsequently made a full recovery and was discharged on July 28, with no flu symptoms reported among his family members.

The spokesperson continued by stating that the strain of the virus did not show resistance to Tamiflu or Relenza. Emphasizing that genetic mutations in flu viruses are common, according to data from the World Health Organization, other regions including Brazil, mainland China, Japan, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United States have also detected viral mutations, though none identical to those in Norway have been found. There is currently no evidence indicating that the mutation would lead to an unusual increase in H1N1 infection cases or more severe or fatal cases. It is believed that the vaccines prepared for combating the flu pandemic remain effective.

Assistant Professor Wong Sai-hin from the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong told our newspaper that all influenza viruses undergo minor genetic changes, but he hopes that the Hong Kong government will soon release detailed reports about the mutated virus to understand whether the virus has become more virulent or if its lethality has increased. If there is a major genetic mutation in the virus, it could possibly render the vaccine ineffective.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Lau Wing-luk said that Hong Kong had already seen cases of H1N1 mutation as early as July, suggesting that this could be a worldwide phenomenon, not unique to Hong Kong and Norway. Given that the child in the Hong Kong case has recovered and the virus has not shown any drug resistance, this indicates that the mutated virus does not have a shocking level of lethality. He stated that the WHO had previously announced that the antigen of the Norwegian mutated virus had not changed, so it is believed that the H1N1 vaccine previously ordered by the Hong Kong government remains effective. He urged citizens to maintain good personal hygiene, and high-risk individuals should get vaccinated against H1N1 as a preventive measure.