WHO says H1N1 virus could mutate, warns vigilance in watching for symptoms
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/WHO-says-H1N1-virus-could-mutate-warns-vigilance-i/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/640702?contextCategoryId=378
Nov 10, 2009, DVM NEWSMAGAZINE
WHO says H1N1 virus could mutate, warns vigilance in watching for symptoms
Geneva, Switzerland — Concerned by the potential of the H1N1 pandemic virus to become more virulent as the pool of viral genes circulates among a number of hosts, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for close monitoring and proper management of animals that exhibit symptoms of respiratory infections.
The WHO is on guard for viral changes, especially after detecting a novel H3N2 influenza virus affecting mink on a farm in Denmark. No humans have been infected with that H3N2 virus, but a WHO spokesperson says the incident demonstrates “the constantly evolving ecology of influenza viruses, the potential for surprising changes, and the need for constant vigilance.”
The WHO also is asking that samples from infected animals and humans be taken for full genome sequencing of the virus to look for mutations that could affect virulence, host range, or antiviral resistance.
Aside from swine, the only animals reported to be infected with H1N1 so far are turkeys in Chile and Canada, and a cat and two ferrets in the United States.
Nevada
4 More From Clark County Die From H1N1
6-Year-Old Boy H1N1 Victim
POSTED: 3:30 pm PST November 10, 2009
UPDATED: 6:39 pm PST November 10, 2009
http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/21577723/detail.html
LAS VEGAS — Four more people in Clark County have died from the H1N1 influenza virus, including two boys.
The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting four additional deaths for the week ending Nov. 7.
Those who died were a 6-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, both with underlying medical conditions, and a 54-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions, the Southern Nevada Health District said.
Watch FOX5 News at 10 and 11 to see the memorial for the family and friends of the 6-year-old-boy.
A 54-year-old man also died, but the health district said it was not known whether he had any underlying medical conditions.
The health district said there are patients currently hospitalized with the H1N1 flu virus.
As of Friday, the health district said it received 78,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, and as of Saturday, it administered more than 41,000 doses.