No Mutation for H1N1, Vaccine Coming Soon

The Center for Disease Control reported Friday that there has not been a mutation of the H1N1 virus as it sweeps through the Southern Hemisphere. The CDC has been closely monitoring cases of H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, as it runs its course through the Southern Hemisphere’s winter season. The biggest fear was that the virus, which showed up in the U.S. and Mexico last April, could possibly mutate into a more dangerous and deadly form. By keeping a close eye on the virus as it makes its way through the Southern Hemisphere, the CDC and health officials can tell which form of the virus will come to the U.S. and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere this fall.

Clinical trials for this year’s flu vaccine are already underway. They have been fast-tracked out of fear that the H1N1 virus could be even more deadly this flu season. Five different trials are investigating the effectiveness of the vaccine in adults, and the results should be finalized by mid-September. Clinical trials in children were delayed until the findings in the adult trial showed no significant side-effects. The results for the juvenile clinical trails will be available by the end of October. All together, there are 4,600 individuals enrolled in the clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies are already ramping up to mass produce the vaccine – almost 200 million doses are expected to be manufactured by the end of the year.

This particular strain of H1N1 seems to disproportionately affect young people. Close to 75% of hospitalizations and 60% of deaths reported from influenza infection have been in people under 49 years of age. Right now, the numbers for flu patients is relatively low for this time of year. The World Health Organization states that the number of swine flu cases will begin to increase this fall, and will most likely continue to rise until the virus’s peak transmission numbers are reached in the winter.

According to Jay Butler, the director of the CDC’s H1N1 Task Force, there is no cause for alarm right now, and the fact that the virus has not mutated is “somewhat reassuring”. Regarding the number of individuals to be diagnosed with H1N1 influenza, he says “sometimes words that are used in an innocent way can cause alarm. I think in a realistic setting we should expect that there clearly is going to be an upsurge of cases when you get into the fall."

Butler also commented on whether or not to get the vaccine is a matter of personal choice. Those individuals who are either elderly or very young, or have a compromised immune system, should consider the vaccine as an option.

However, the three things that will help keep you healthy continue to stay the same – wash your hands frequently, cover your cough, and stay home if you are sick.

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