Concerns Grow Over Possible H1N1-H5N1 'Reassortment,' Other Mutations

Homeland Security Insight and Analysis ^ | 01 December 2009 | Anthony L. Kimery

[opentalk]

'The obvious risk is of H5N1 combining with the pandemic [H1N1] virus'

Virologists and influenza authorities are becoming increasingly concerned that the 2009 A-H1N1 flu virus could “reassort” with the highly virulent H5N1 avian flu that’s still prevalent in parts of the world like China, and that a mutation could occur resulting in a new strain that has the lethality of H5N1 and the human transmissibility of A-H1N1.

The concerns have grown in the wake of revelations that mutations of the H1N1 flu virus had been found in Norway and elsewhere, leading experts to fear that it might just be a matter of time before there’s a reassortment of H1N1 and H5N1.

This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) reported very high pandemic activity in Italy, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation (Urals region), and Sweden.

Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine also reported high pandemic activity.

Meanwhile, authorities said they believe the peak of the A-H1N1 pandemic's second wave hasn’t yet been reached in some parts of the world.

WHO said it’s keeping a "very careful” eye on the reported mutations in order to ascertain whether it is causing more severe illness diseases than the A-H1N1 virus.

"We really need to look at this very carefully to see whether it is in fact associated with severe cases," WHO spokesman Thomas Abraham told reporters. He said investigations by WHO's collaborating network of labs will be able to provide a better "understanding … about clinical features associated with the infection of this particular form of the virus."

Since it emerged, the A-H1N1 virus has constantly been mutating, authorities said.

[Steamburg]

They are back to praying for the crisis that gives them power. How is anyone to believe anything that is related to the criminals that refuse to reject fraudulent Climate Change Data.

[Man50D]

Anything to maintain the appearance of a crisis. Keep hope alive!

[SuzyQue]

It’s increasingly obvious that too much information can be a bad thing, particularly in the hand of self-aggrandizing opportunists.

[C210N]

The only mutations going on here are the crisis engineers seeing the fading of H1N1, seeking a mid-life kicker to suck a bit more out of us.

[Blueflag]

One error/overstatement: “the obvious risk”

I bet the risk of being struck by Lightning, twice is more obvious.

One statement made as if it is exceptional: “the virus is mutating” They ALL pretty much do that. That’s why there;s a new flu shot every year. This H1NA-A SOI is no different.

Nothing to see here.

Now, **IF** H5N1 DOES develop an human-to-human vector, we *DO* have real issues. THAT’S when you get your duct tape and home defense kit ready. ;-)

[Blueflag]

I need better coffee H1H1-A SOI. < sigh >

[maxter]

Sadly, we can’t believe anything the so called “experts” say anymore. It seems their main goal is to have power over the people no matter what they have to say or do to get there. Lost trust is very hard to get back.

[yoe]

I was under the impression flu virus ‘mutated’ several times a year....the fall flu shot probably wouldn’t be much help against the early spring strain of influenza and so on. You can’t blame these ‘fellows’ for giving it their best shot, gotta keep those grants you understand........

[Caesar Soze]

They are back to praying for the crisis that gives them power. How is anyone to believe anything that is related to the criminals that refuse to reject fraudulent Climate Change Data.

What do "virologists and influenza authorities" have to do with climate change data? If you think the conventional opinion of virologists is wrong, you should point to errors made by virologists, not climatologists or paleobotanists or plasma physicists, etc.

[Steamburg]

What do “virologists and influenza authorities” have to do with climate change data?

---

Like climatologists they have governmental funding sources and therefore are by nature not independent and their results are as now highly to be suspect. There is no aspect of the scientific community that should be spared careful scrutiny before we accept any of their pronouncements.

[Ev Reeman]

Why do they call it the H1N1 virus?

It’s short for hiney. Well they can kiss my...

[ronnie raygun]

For them it could only be hope that it does.

[Starboard]

Thanks for posting.

[fatnotlazy]

I think we are more in danger from all this hysteria over the virus than we are of the virus itself.

[mysterio]

What do "virologists and influenza authorities" have to do with climate change data? If you think the conventional opinion of virologists is wrong, you should point to errors made by virologists, not climatologists or paleobotanists or plasma physicists, etc.

Stop making sense.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

“We’re gonna keep doing this until we get the panic we want.”

[opentalk]

I think we are more in danger from all this hysteria over the virus than we are of the virus itself.

I agree it has been over hyped. But there is some nasty version overseas where they are coughing up blood. I do not know if they are referring to this.

[fatnotlazy]

But look at the viruses which have been prevalent in other countries — SARS and Bird Flu, to name two — we in the US were generally not affected by these viruses.

It's ok to put information on the news or on the internet. But this overhype is creating panic, and panic can be more deadly than any virus.

[hennie pennie]

*ping*