Deadly H1N1 Variant Found in Hong Kong: Experts Worry About Severe Epidemic, Disk Array Data Recovery

by max6otr6 on 2009-11-25 11:11:40

Deadly H1N1 Variant Found in Hong Kong, Experts Worry About Severe Outbreak

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 examined the genetic sequences of influenza A virus samples based on the variant virus data published by Norway, and found that among 123 genetic sequence studies conducted by the department, one virus sample had undergone mutation, with a gene sequence identical to the lethal variant virus found in Norway.

A one-year-old boy in Hong Kong was found to be infected with the mutated H1N1 virus (the same as the Norwegian virus), who was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin at the end of July. Archive photo.

People's Daily Online, November 24: 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 announced yesterday that a variant virus identical to the Norwegian cases was discovered from the respiratory sample of a one-year-old boy. More shockingly, the boy had contracted the disease back in July this year and had fully recovered, appearing earlier than the Norwegian cases.

Microbiology experts pointed out that although all influenza viruses undergo minor genetic changes, if the virus genes undergo significant mutations, it could possibly render the vaccines previously ordered by the Hong Kong government ineffective, making the second wave of the flu outbreak more severe. They urged relevant departments to carefully analyze the genetic variation range of the mutated H1N1 and adjust the anti-epidemic strategies when necessary.

The Department of Health in Hong Kong checked the genetic sequences of type A influenza virus samples based on the variant virus data published by Norway, and found that among 123 genetic sequence studies conducted by the department, one virus sample had undergone mutation, with a gene sequence identical to the lethal variant virus found in Norway.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health pointed out that the strain of the virus was isolated from the virus sample of a one-year-old boy who developed flu-like symptoms on July 22, was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital three days later, and was diagnosed with H1N1 influenza. He subsequently fully recovered and was discharged on July 28, with no flu symptoms appearing in his family members.

The spokesperson continued, stating that the strain showed no resistance to Tamiflu or Relenza, emphasizing that genetic variations in flu viruses are common. According to World Health Organization data, other regions including Brazil, mainland China, Japan, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United States have also detected virus mutations, but none identical to those in Norway. 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, believing that pandemic vaccines remain effective.

Assistant Professor Wong Sai-hin of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong told our newspaper that all flu viruses undergo minor genetic changes, but hopes the Hong Kong government will soon release detailed reports on the mutated virus to understand whether it has become more harmful or lethal. If the virus genes undergo significant mutations, it could possibly render the vaccine ineffective.

Infectious disease specialist Lau Wing-lok stated that Hong Kong had already seen H1N1 mutation cases as early as July, suggesting that it might be a global phenomenon, not exclusive to Hong Kong and Norway. Given that the boy in the Hong Kong case has recovered and the virus has shown no drug resistance, it indicates that the mutated virus does not possess alarming virulence. He said that WHO had previously announced that the antigen of the Norwegian mutated virus did not change, believing 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.