Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Hong Kong avian influenza virus same DNA as South Korea 2004 strain
A top scientist from Hong Kong suggests that the recent H5N1 strain of avian influenza found in samples taken from wild birds found dead in HK, is closely linked to the strain that surfaced in Japan and South Korea in 2004, and not the one currently spreading in Europe.
This finding suggests that there could be a reservoir of another strain of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus that is entrenched, probably in wild birds, said microbiologist Malik Peiris of the University of Hong Kong.
Experts believe that the more distinct and lethal the different strains of avian influenza there are, the greater would be the risk to humans.
Peiris said in an interview on Tuesday, Hong Kong scientists analysing samples, from the dead birds found that their DNA makeup, belong to a strain called the V-genotype, which was found in dead birds in Japan and South Korea in 2004..