Paradigm Shift Intervention Monitoring
twitter
Commentary
Rapid
Spread of H1N1
In Venezuela Increases Concerns
Recombinomics
Commentary 15:50
March 29, 2011
The above translation describes the rapid spread of H1N1 in Venezuela. These confirmed cases are in addition to four fatal cases and a similar number of suspect cases. It is likely that the outbreak in Venezuela is related to the outbreak in Mexico, which started in Chihuahua, but rapidly spread throughout the country.
The appearance of cases in Mexico at the end of the flu season has remarkable similarities with the start of the H1N1 pandemic two years ago. The current cases in northern Mexico are said to be linked to H1N1 cases in Texas and New Mexico. The CDC has not released any 2011 sequences from either state and only one sequence has been released from Texas for the entire 2011/2011 season. That sequence had S188T, which is the dominant sub-clade in the United States and was also dominant in the H1N1 outbreak in the United Kingdom.
Release of the US sequences is long overdue. Sequences from severe and fatal cases in Mexico and Venezuela should also be released immediately.
Media link
Recombinomics
Presentations
Recombinomics
Publications
Recombinomics
Paper
at Nature Precedings