CDC working on research to combat Influenza A (H1N1)

CDC working on research to combat Influenza A (H1N1)
Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The first case of Influenza A H1N1 has surfaced in Asia.

Although Singapore does not have any such cases, health authorities here are working to collect data on how to combat this new flu strain.

The H1N1 virus was discovered in the 1970s, but it’s still unknown how the new virus is transmitted from human to human.

"If you look at the current virus, this virus, it is genetically different compared to the human one. All of us will be susceptible. You open the floodgate and you will have this wave," said Associate Professor Leo Yee Sin, clinical director, Communicable Disease Centre (CDC), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).

Research is currently underway. And fortunately, there is hope of treating Influenza A, the same way as the other types of flu.

"The current circulating seasonal human H1N1 has a very high resistance rate to Tamiflu. However for this current swine influenza, from the information given to us from the infected area, (shows) that resistance to Tamiflu is not something that they have detected yet. So it gives us the assurance that at least we have something we can use to treat and overcome this," said CDC’s clinical director.

Dr Leo said there were three recent pandemics — the Spanish flu from 1918 to 1919, which is the H1N1 subtype; the H2N2 virus in the 1950s; and the H3N2 virus in 1968.

There are currently no cases of Influenza A in Singapore.

Still, to detect the new virus, the CDC is gathering tissue samples of patients from family doctors, polyclinics and hospitals.

The head of the CDC said washing hands frequently can help rid the virus, which can survive outside the human body for several hours in tropical Singapore.

— CNA /ls

- wong chee tat :)