News

H1N1 virus mutation detected in July

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-25 06:46

HELSINKI: A mutation of the A/H1N1 flu virus reported in Norway was also discovered in Finland in July, Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, this is a normal mutation in influenza viruses. Those mutated viruses found in Norway or elsewhere do not affect the common properties of the virus nor the means to combat it. The anti-viral drugs and vaccinations are still effective against the virus.

Last week, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health informed the World Health Organization of a mutation of the H1N1 flu virus detected in two patients who died and one with severe illness.

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However, the WHO said on Tuesday that so far, there was still no evidence suggesting the mutation found in Norway is associated with severe cases of infection.

According to Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the epidemic of the H1N1 flu has peaked in most parts of Finland. A total of 5,878 cases of the H1N1 flu have been confirmed and 14 fatalities related to the disease detected in the country by Tuesday.

According to Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare, the disease's spread has been slowed significantly by the vaccination program and 1 million people have been inoculated against the flu in Finland so far.