Influenza A virus (H1N1) was detected in Mexico during April 2009.
Flu viruses mutate over time causing changes to the structure of surface
proteins called antigens. If people or animal have been exposed to these
changes in the surface structure of a virus, they are likely to have
acquired some immunity. On the other hand, if the antigens are new,
their immune response will be weakened.
Influenza A virus (strain H1N1) is the same strain that causes seasonal
outbreaks in humans on a regular basis. However, the version of the
virus that is causing the present alert carries genetic modifications
that enable it to jump from one species to another. This is a very rare
event. Earlier version of this strain of the virus, caused the pandemic
known as the Spanish Flu in 1918 (Flu names are usually associated with
the country in which the infection was first detected).
Flu virus infections can be treated. Usually mixed doses of antiviral
drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza. At the time of writing a vaccine is
not available for this particular train of the virus.
The following links provide access to data contained within EMBL-EBI
database in relation to the genomic sequencing of this particular strain
of the virus:
