Mutant flu strains on the horizon

Researchers in New Zealand have warned of the potential for new mutant strains of flu after reports of further cases of people testing positive to both the seasonal and pandemic versions of the H1N1 virus.

In a study to be published next month, researchers from New Zealand’s Institute of Environmental Science & Research, Ltd. National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease show that if two viruses infect the same cell, and one of them is resistant to drugs, genetic changes could pass that resistance to the other virus.

Certain pandemic strains of H1N1 for instance have developed resistance to Tamiflu, which is the best available weapon against the virus.

H1N1, while it did cause global panic, was nowhere near as deadly as was anticipated. The finding of this study however have implications for a number of other more serious viruses, including bird flu.

The full results of the study will appear in next month’s issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.