New H3N2 flu variant detected in HK

[Shiloh]

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/29/content_11794643.htm


New H3N2 flu variant detected in HK
www.chinaview.cn 2009-07-29 22:46:49

HONG KONG, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's health authorities announced Wednesday that a new variant of the H3N2 seasonal influenza virus had been found in the city.

The Brisbane strain had been the prevalent circulating strain of H3N2 in the past year and the new variant is its direct descendent, said Thomas Tsang, controller of Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection.

"However, it has some genetic changes distinguishing it from the old Brisbane strain," he said.

He said it is normal for viruses to have some changes, adding overseas health authorities, including those in Canada, Britain and Australia, had also found the new variant.

Although vaccines provided for the northern hemisphere may not be a direct match for this new variant, they would still give some protection against it, said Tsang.

"At this point, there is no scientific evidence pointing to an increase in severity or anti-viral resistance of this new variant," he said. "But we will be monitoring this virus very closely in Hong Kong to see if there is any abnormal pattern during the summer peak and beyond."

Noting the vaccines will be widely available in Hong Kong in a month, Tsang appealed to high-risk groups, such as those with chronic diseases, the elderly and children, to get flu jabs.

H3N2 accounts for 43 percent of flu viruses circulating in Hong Kong while Influenza A/H1N1 accounts for 49 percent.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: New H3N2 flu variant detected in HK

Modified flu strain poised to infect more victims
SWINE FLU OUTBREAK
Ng Yuk-hang
Jul 30, 2009

A virus strain that had accounted for nearly half of all flu infections in Hong Kong had experienced a genetic change and might infect more people over the summer peak, the Centre for Health Protection said yesterday.

Swine flu now accounts for 49 per cent of all infections, while another strain, H3N2, had accounted for 43 per cent, centre controller Thomas Tsang Ho-fai said.

Genetic change had been observed in the H3N2 strain since April, and the modified virus was now responsible for about one-quarter of all infections in the city, Dr Tsang said.

The new virus might bring more infections during the summer but he said there was no evidence to show it was more virulent than its predecessors. The change has also been observed in Canada, Britain and Australia, but the centre has not received similar reports from Asian countries.

Last night, a spokesman for the centre said that although there were reports of reduced response to antibodies generated by the vaccine recommended by the World Health Organisation for the northern hemisphere, seasonal flu vaccinations would still offer some protection.

Dr Tsang said vaccines against the coming winter infection peak could provide 45 to 70 per cent protection against the modified virus, and people from high-risk groups, such as young children, the elderly and chronic patients, should be injected.

He said the new virus had not shown any resistance to Tamiflu, and that the genetic change was not related to the swine flu pandemic.

Meanwhile, 189 new cases of swine flu were confirmed yesterday, taking the total to 3,270. Thirty-eight people were still in hospital, with four in critical condition and one serious.

Among new cases were a nurse from United Christian Hospital and an employee from Tuen Mun Hospital.

Preliminary results were positive for an 88-year-old female resident of Lam Woo Elderly Home in Kwai Chung. All residents at the home are now under observation.

An autopsy showed that community-acquired MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus), rather than swine flu, was the main cause of death of a Filipino seaman on July 10, Dr Tsang said. But he said the man would still be regarded as the first swine flu fatality in Hong Kong, as the virus had contributed to his death.

In Beijing, 26 members and two teachers of Road Safety Patrol, a Hong Kong youth group, will be quarantined for a week after five members contracted swine flu.

They were part of a 101-member exchange tour. On arrival at Beijing airport (SEHK: 0694) on Sunday, one member failed the temperature test and was sent to hospital. He was confirmed to have swine flu on Tuesday.

Another three students and a student leader were confirmed with the flu yesterday. The other 68 members, who did not come into close contact with the confirmed cases, returned to Hong Kong last night.

Quarantined students, mostly Form Two and Three, were staying in a hotel and were happy about the situation, patrol senior executive officer Judy Yeung Mui-fong said.

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCM...0VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News