Preliminary analysis of the swine flu virus suggests it is a fairly mild strain, scientists say.
It is believed that a further mutation would be needed in order for the H1N1 virus to cause the mass deaths that have been estimated by some.
H1N1 (seasonal flu/swine flu)
Spreads easily through coughing and sneezing
Less severe symptoms, but can be deadly
H5N1 (avian flu)
Can mutate rapidly
Causes severe illness and can trigger pneumonia
Spreads easily between birds but human transmission rare
Influenza viruses are able to swap genetic material
Predictions
Scientists have also played down concerns that the milder H1N1 virus, could combine with the more dangerous H5N1 avian flu virus, causing a super virus that has the ability to both spread easily between humans and cause severe illness.
This is unlikely - or at least just as unlikely as it ever was and the H5N1 virus has been around for a decade without combining with normal seasonal flu.
Source:
Code:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8028371.stm



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