Swine Flu Virus Mutated, Experts Afraid

A new virus strain has been discovered in Brazil, the A/Sao Paolo/1454/H1N1, but it has not been determined how dangerous it is.

Last week, the World Health Organization has declared a swine flu pandemic, reporting that the flu alert level has been raised to phase 6, which means global pandemic, but does not point to an exceptional threat of infection.

However, experts have warned that nothing is over yet, because the virus can mutate and become a bigger threat. According to first results of Brazilian virologists, this is exactly what has happened.

While testing samples from a patient in Sao Paolo, they have discovered a new swine flu virus strain, called `A/Sao Paolo/1454/H1N1`, which they have compared to a sample of the A H1N1 virus, agencies report.

The difference between the two viruses are changes in the Hemagglutinin protein, which allows the virus to infect new hosts.

Experts fear that the virus could become a bigger threat

It has still not been determined whether the new virus strain is more dangerous, while medical experts say it is impossible to predict the diseases the virus can cause and which groups it will attack. According to the latest report of the WHO, 36,000 people in 76 countries have been infected with the H1N1 virus, while 163 persons have died.

Fear is present that the swine flu virus could mutate and become lethal, like the one that killed dozens of millions throughout the world in 1918.

The WHO has not introduced special precaution steps, like banning travelling or trade. The organisation announced a few days ago that the swine flu virus is stable and not mutating, therefore their reaction is awaited after additional tests on the new strain discovered in Brazil.

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