topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2135.35 0.75
DAX 6386.58 0.74
IBEX 30 6516.3 -0.41
CAC 40 3077.17 0.96
FTSE 100 5402.24 0.95
AEX 295.54 0.95
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13213.57 0.45
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4120.2 0.96
Hang seng 18800.99 0.47
Straits Times 2787.22 0.52
ISEQ 20 503.36 0.48
You are here: Home News Spanish News Spain reports mutant swine flu death

Spanish News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


05/12/2009Spain reports mutant swine flu death

A patient infected by a mutant strain of the swine flu A(H1N1) virus has died in Spain, the health ministry said Friday.

Madrid - A patient infected by a mutant strain of the swine flu A(H1N1) virus has died in Spain, the health ministry said Friday.

"We have registered three cases of mutation, including one which was fatal. These are three isolated cases, there has been no transmission to any other person," a ministry spokesman told AFP.

It is the sixth fatal case of mutated A(H1N1) virus in Europe, after one in the Netherlands and two each in France and Norway.

Last month the World Health Organisation said that mutations had been observed in Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico --, where the swine flu pandemic began -- Ukraine and the United States as early as April.

Italy also reported a non-fatal case on Monday.

"The mutations appear to occur sporadically and spontaneously. To date, no links between the small number of patients infected with the mutated virus have been found and the mutation does not appear to spread," a WHO statement said on November 20.

The WHO also underlined that there was no evidence of more infections or more deaths as a result, while the mutated virus detected up to that point remained sensitive to antiviral drugs used to treat severe flu, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Scientists fear that mutations in flu viruses could cause a more virulent and deadly pandemic flu. The global health watchdog reiterated a call for close monitoring.

One of the three patients infected in Spain had a mutation which made the virus resistant to Tamiflu but was successfully treated with another medication, the health ministry spokesman said.

The two other patients, including the one who died, were infected with another type of mutation which was identical to the one detected for the first time in November in Norway, he added.

The patient who survived with this mutation had a "light form" of the disease, he said.

Spain has so far recorded 169 deaths related to the swine flu virus, according to the latest toll issued by the health ministry. It was the first European country to confirm a case of the virus.

AFP/Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Technology in Spain

Sat phones/internet links

English in Spain

What is the best travel insurance cover to Spain?

American in Spain

U.S. citizens, plan to vote in 2012? Did you know...

Relocation to Spain

thinking of moving to madrid

Jobs in Spain

Job Agencies or how to find work.

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.