Hong Kong detects no genetic mutation of A/H1N1 virus (Xinhua, edited)

[Giuseppe]

Hong Kong detects no genetic mutation of A/H1N1 virus (Xinhua, edited)

Hong Kong detects no genetic mutation of A/H1N1 virus

www.chinaview.cn 2009-07-21 22:33:18
HONG KONG, July 21 (Xinhua)


Tests on the A/H1N1 virus in several serious cases here have not indicated any genetic change, a senior health official said here on Tuesday.

York Chow, the city's secretary for food and health, said high-risk factors involved in the cases include smoking, obesity, chronic illness or working when already ill, adding that the three A/H1N1 flu cases classified as serious have become stable, while the five critical cases remain.

Chow said the government will discuss with doctors and medical staff its plans to start vaccinating high-risk people in January and February.

He reiterated that in deciding whether to close a school when 10 percent of the students have fallen sick depends on the circumstances of each case, like the number of students in the school and the rate at which the disease has spread.

He said Hong Kong will soon only release figures on the number of serious and fatal cases, and those requiring treatment in hospital.

Editor: Mu Xuequan
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<cite cite="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/21/content_11747553.htm">Hong Kong detects no genetic mutation of A/H1N1 virus_English_Xinhua</cite>

 

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Re: Hong Kong detects no genetic mutation of A/H1N1 virus (Xinhua, edited)

Hong Kong has always been the gold standard in flu detection, even before increased awareness from the SARS outbreak. I have felt for several weeks that if a mutation occurs elsewhere that increases the virulence of the Pandemic H1N1, out first signal will be the sequencing of an imported case into Hong Kong.