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Last Updated: 9:01 PM GMT on November 24, 2009 — Last Comment: 12:25 AM GMT on November 26, 2009

	Reported H1N1 Mutation in United States, Mexico, Ukraine, Brazil, Japan and China.

Posted by: JFLORIDA, 12:10 PM GMT on November 21, 2009

NORWAY:

Norwegian scientists detect mutated form of swine flu

Scientists in Norway announced Friday they had detected a mutated form of the swine flu virus in two patients who died of the flu and a third who was severely ill, the most recent report of mutations in the virus that are being watched closely for any change that could make it more dangerous.

In a statement, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said the mutation "could possibly make the virus more prone to infect deeper in the airways and thus cause more severe disease," such as pneumonia.

The institute said there was no indication that the mutation would hinder the ability of the vaccine to protect people from becoming infected or impair the effectiveness of antiviral drugs in treating people who became infected.

Scientists have analyzed about 70 viruses from confirmed Norwegian swine flu cases and found the mutation in only those three patients, Geir Stene-Larsen, the institute's director general, said in the statement.

UKRAINE:

The number of deaths in Ukraine from flu viruses has risen to 315, with 16 passing away over the past 24 hours

17 November 2009 -- Preliminary tests reveal no significant changes in the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus based on investigations of samples taken from patients in Ukraine. Analyses are being performed by two WHO influenza collaborating centres as part of the global influenza surveillance network.

Preliminary genetic sequencing shows that the virus is similar to the virus used for production of the pandemic influenza vaccine, reconfirming the vaccine's efficacy at this time.

Additional questions about the pandemic virus circulating in Ukraine will be answered as more data is available.

US:

Percentage of Visits for Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Reported by the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), National Summary 2008-2009 and Previous Two Seasons
(Posted November 6, 2009, 4:30 PM ET, for Week Ending October 31, 2009)

WHO:

Public health significance of virus mutation detected in Norway
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 17

20 NOVEMBER 2009 | GENEVA -- The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has informed WHO of a mutation detected in three H1N1 viruses. The viruses were isolated from the first two fatal cases of pandemic influenza in the country and one patient with severe illness.

Norwegian scientists have analysed samples from more than 70 patients with clinical illness and no further instances of this mutation have been detected. This finding suggests that the mutation is not widespread in the country.

The virus with this mutation remains sensitive to the antiviral drugs, oseltamivir and zanamivir, and studies show that currently available pandemic vaccines confer protection.

Worldwide, laboratory monitoring of influenza viruses has detected a similar mutation in viruses from several other countries, with the earliest detection occurring in April. In addition to Norway, the mutation has been observed in Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Ukraine, and the US.

Although information on all these cases is incomplete, several viruses showing the same mutation were detected in fatal cases, and the mutation has also been detected in some mild cases. Worldwide, viruses from numerous fatal cases have not shown the mutation. The public health significance of this finding is thus unclear.

The mutations appear to occur sporadically and spontaneously. To date, no links between the small number of patients infected with the mutated virus have been found and the mutation does not appear to spread.

The significance of the mutation is being assessed by scientists in the WHO network of influenza laboratories. Changes in viruses at the genetic level need to be constantly monitored. However, the significance of these changes is difficult to assess. Many mutations do not alter any important features of the virus or the illness it causes. For this reason, WHO also uses clinical and epidemiological data when making risk assessments.

Although further investigation is under way, no evidence currently suggests that these mutations are leading to an unusual increase in the number of H1N1 infections or a greater number of severe or fatal cases.

Laboratories in the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network closely monitor influenza viruses worldwide and will remain vigilant for any further changes in the virus that may have public health significance.

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Unrelated Pet Flu Outbreak Info:
(H3N8 dog flu virus - a variation of the horse flu)

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Updated: 9:01 PM GMT on November 24, 2009

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	H1N1 - Norway Mutation

Posted by: JFLORIDA, 2:28 PM GMT on November 14, 2009

NORWAY:Norwegian scientists detect mutated form of swine fluScientists in Norway announced Friday they had detected a mutated form of the swine flu virus in two patients who died of the flu and a third who was severely ill, the most recent report of mutations in the virus that are being watched closely for any change that could make it more dangerous. In a statement, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said the mutation "could possibly make the virus more pron...

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Updated: 12:58 AM GMT on November 21, 2009

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	H1N1 Widespread and Unpleasant

Posted by: JFLORIDA, 4:08 AM GMT on November 08, 2009

But as Eeastern Europe revs up we seem to be turning a corner in this outbreak here in the US. US:Percentage of Visits for Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Reported by the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), National Summary 2008-2009 and Previous Two Seasons(Posted November 6, 2009, 4:30 PM ET, for Week Ending October 31, 2009) WHO:Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Ukraine - update 13 November 2009 -- According to the Ministry of Health of Uk...

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Updated: 2:19 PM GMT on November 14, 2009

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	H1N1, H3N2 (Brisbane) and the Ukraine Situation

Posted by: JFLORIDA, 7:10 AM GMT on November 03, 2009

Ukraine:H1N1 to cause more deaths in northern winter - WHO* No evidence of virus mutation, vaccines still effective* Pandemic vaccines seen as "very safe" after millions given* WHO has yet to receive 200 mln vaccine doses for poorestGENEVA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The H1N1 swine flu virus has picked up steam in the northern hemisphere and is expected to cause more serious infections and deaths as cold weather sets in, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday....

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Updated: 9:28 AM GMT on November 06, 2009

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	H1N1 - Possible Ukraine Anomaly

Posted by: JFLORIDA, 10:23 AM GMT on November 01, 2009

Spike in Ukraine Hospitalizations and Deaths:Ukraine H1N1 Deaths and Hospitalizations Spike HigherThe above numbers reflect the latest government update on cases in the Ukraine. They are dramatically higher than those reported in the past few days and raise concerns that the death toll will increase significantly over the next several days.Some wire service reports and comments from WHO have downplayed these numbers, noting that the death rate for Ukraine is simila...

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Updated: 7:11 AM GMT on November 03, 2009

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