MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine scientists identified the complete genome of A/H1N1 virus

A crucial step to begin the elaboration of a vaccine

Argentine health authorities announced this week they had identified the complete genome of the A/H1N1 flu virus which so far has caused almost 200 deaths according to official numbers.

The announcement was done by scientists from the Malbran Institute which described the discovery as a “central document” for the elaboration of a vaccine against the disease.

According to the sequence obtained by the experts the dominant virus in Argentina “does not have significant differences” with the one detected in other parts of the world, a “very important revelation” because the strains will help for laboratories to advance in the manufacturing of counter products.

The official announcement was done by Deputy Minister of Health, Fernando Avellaneda, the head of Malbrán Institute Gustavo Ríos and scientist Elsa Baumeister who was in charge of the research.

“It is crucial information for the elaboration of the vaccine, which nevertheless is a complex which still requires several technical steps. With this identification we can really assimilate the virus situation of the country”, said Rios.

“The virus prevalent in Argentina is very similar to others registered in other countries such as Mexico and the Unites States, where the first cases of the outbreak were reported in mid April” indicated Dr. Baumeister.

The A/H1N1 virus genome was taken from two patients: one seriously ill with the virus and the other “moderately” ill, at the beginning of June when the S/flu presented a major contagion jump in metropolitan areas.

The latest report from the Argentina government is that at least 197 people have died because of the A/H1N1 flu virus. The Malbrán lab has the necessary equipment, know-how and personnel for the identification of A/flu cases.