New H3N2 flu detected in HK
BEIJING. July 31. KAZINFORM Hong Kong's health authorities announced Wednesday that a new variant of the H3N2 seasonal influenza virus has been found in the city; Kazinform cites China View.
The Brisbane strain has been the prevalent circulator of H3N2 in the past year, and the new variant is its direct descendent, said Thomas Tsang, controller of Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP).
"However, it has some genetic changes distinguishing it from the old Brisbane strain," he said.
He said it is normal for viruses to go through changes, adding that overseas health authorities, including those in Canada, Britain and Australia, had also found the new variant.
Tsang said although vaccines provided for the northern hemisphere may not be a direct match for this new variant, they will still provide some protection against it; Kazinform refers to China View.
See www.chinaview.cn for full version.