SHOOT: This is exactly what you would expect. As the flu encounters resistance in people [often due to vaccines] it ups its game. And since its an exotic virus, it is holding the cards. I believe the better way to deal with this was to not use vaccines and allow human beings to develop a natural immunity to a less vigorous virus. Well, we'll passed that point now, but don't worry, Pharmaceutical Companies have made a mint.
Health experts are looking for any sign that H1N1 is mutating into a drug-resistant form. Last year, the seasonal version of H1N1, a distant cousin of the pandemic strain, developed resistance to Tamiflu.
In Norway, officials were investigating a mutated strain in some patients that they said could be responsible for causing severe symptoms.
"The mutation could be affecting the virus' ability to go deeper into the respiratory system, thus causing more serious illness," the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said in a statement.
WHO said the mutation did not appear to be widespread in Norway and the virus remained sensitive to antivirals and pandemic vaccines.
A similar mutation had been detected in H1N1 viruses in several other countries, including China and the United States, in severe as well as in some mild cases, it said.
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clipped from www.reuters.com
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