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Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, today stated that they have seen no signs of mutation in the H1N1 swine flu virus currently spreading around the world.
In recent days, there have been several high profile news stories indicating that such a mutation may have have taken place, including this one which quotes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) of Germany as being worried about changes in the virus.
There have also been concerns raised over an isolate, collected in Shanghai China (A/Shanghai/70T/2009) which showed a mutational (as opposed to a reassortment) change (E627K) that possibly represents an increased adaptation to humans.
This isolate has been the subject of discussion on a number of flu forums over the past week.
We don’t currently have any details on the clinical course of the person infected with this mutated strain, nor do we know if it has been transmitted to others.
This mutation is believed integral to allowing the virus to replicate at lower temperatures (such as is found in the nose and upper pharynx) and could conceivably increase the virulence of the virus.
It is present in most seasonal flu viruses, but has not been seen in any of the other A/H1N1(2009) isolates.
None of this is to say that scientists aren’t worried about mutations arising from this virus.
They are.
Seasonal H1N1 has, over the past year, picked up almost complete resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Right now, Tamiflu is one of only two effective antivirals available to treat this virus.
Should swine flu pick up similar resistance, it would greatly impact our ability to treat serious cases. And of course, there are many mutations that could affect virulence as well.
This from Reuters.
Thursday June 25, 2009
WHO says H1N1 virus is stable, not yet mutating
By Guy Faulconbridge
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Thursday that the H1N1 virus was stable and there was no sign yet of it mixing with other influenza viruses.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan speaks to media during a news conference on the 62nd World Health Assembly at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva in this May 19, 2009 file photo. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)
Some health officials have raised concerns that if H1N1, known by many as swine flu, combined with the much deadlier H5N1 bird flu virus then the pandemic could claim many more lives.
"The virus is still very stable," WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan told reporters at a news briefing in Moscow when asked if there were any signs of the virus mixing with other strains such as avian flu.
"But as we all know the influenza virus is highly unpredictable and has great potential for mutation," Chan said after meeting Russian Health Minister Tatyana Golikova.
Chan's remarks are some of the first comments by the WHO leadership since the United Nations agency declared an influenza pandemic on June 11.
Chan said the viruses needed to be closely monitored to make sure there was no mutation.
