From the category archives:

Swine Flu Mutation

6 mutations already noted in Swine Flu

We confirmed that the host-specific genomic signatures of 2009 H1N1pdm, which are mainly swine-like, were highly identical to those of the 1918 H1N1pdm. During the short period of time when the pandemic alert level was raised from phase 4 to phase 6, one signature residue at the position of NP-100 mutated from valine to isoleucine. [...]

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CDC In Denial On H1N1 D225G/N Significance

However, Dr. Nancy Cox, director of the Influenza Division at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said global H1N1 data so far do not show a clear association between the mutation and severe illness.
The above comments are by an agency in denial. The association between D225G and D225N with severe and [...]

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Norway H1N1 D225G/N Publication Refutes WHO Position

Here we report the occurrence of an amino acid substitution, aspartic acid to glycine in position 222 (D222G) in the HA1 subunit of the viral haemagglutinin, in clinical specimens from 11 out of 61 cases analysed in Norway with severe outcome. Such mutants were not observed in any of 205 mild cases investigated (Table), thus [...]

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H1N1 mutation’s proposed link to severe illness debated

Norwegian scientists today reported a pandemic H1N1 virus mutation that appears to be associated with severe disease, but a leading US flu expert said global data on the mutation don't show a clear connection with severe illness.
A team from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo reports that it found the mutation in 11 [...]

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Hong Kong: Genetic reassortment detected in swine flu virus

Via the Hong Kong government website: Genetic reassortment detected in swine flu virus. Excerpt:
One pig sample taken at the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse on January 7 contains essentially a swine influenza virus that had picked up an H1N1 gene, the University of Hong Kong has found.
This is the first time that a reassortment of swine flu [...]

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Tamiflu-resistant swine flu strain found in North Carolina

Four North Carolina patients at a single hospital tested positive for a type of H1N1, or swine flu, that is resistant to Tamiflu, health officials said Friday. The cases reported at Duke University Medical Center over six weeks make up the biggest cluster seen so far in the U.S.
More via Tamiflu-resistant swine flu strain found [...]

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Chile confirms swine flu in turkeys

Chile said Friday that tests show swine flu has jumped to birds, opening a new chapter in the global epidemic.  Top flu and animal-health experts with the United Nations in Rome and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta were monitoring the situation, but said the infected turkeys have suffered only mild [...]

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