# 2914
Robert Roos – News Editor of CIDRAP- brings us an overview of a paper recently published in PloS One, called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H5N1 in Africa: A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis and Molecular Characterization of Isolates.
In this study, researchers looked at genetic sequences from 67 avian flu isolates gathered from 11 African countries between 2006 and early 2008. This study also looked at hundreds of genetic sequences from Europe and the Middle East.
While all samples proved to be clade 2.2, there were 3 sublineages detected, suggesting that virus was introduced three different times over a short span of time to the continent.
This finding was consistent with earlier studies in Nigeria.
A few of these samples showed markers commonly associated with human influenzas, and some showed signs of antiviral resistance.
The CIDRAP overview is considerably easier to read than the original report. I’ve just posted the opening paragraphs, follow the links to read it in its entirety.
Signs of drug resistance found in African H5N1 viruses
Robert Roos
News Editor
Mar 19, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – Scientists who analyzed 67 H5N1 avian influenza viruses from across Africa report that the viruses fall into three distinct sublineages, or families, and that some have mutations that make them resistant to antiviral drugs.
The scientists also found that some of the African viruses have genetic markers that are characteristic of human flu viruses rather than avian strains, according to their report, published yesterday in the online journal PLoS One.
These findings raise concern for the possible human health risk presented by viruses with these genetic properties and highlight the need for increased efforts to monitor the evolution of A/H5N1 viruses across the African continent," says the report by a large international team of scientists. The group includes several from African countries and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
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