In an interview with Radio Netherlands, Virologist Ab Osterhaus of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam says mutations of the A (H1N1) pose no threat to public health, at least not for the time being.

The World Health Organisation has discovered two mutations of the A(H1N1) virus. One of them is resistant to the antiviral drug Tamiflu, the other aggravates patients' symptoms. The two mutations have been diagnosed in Japan, the United States, Norway and France. Dr Osterhaus says the flu vaccine offers adequate protection against a limited number of mutations. "Should Tamiflu no longer be effective, there is always the vaccine", he said.

Photo: Virologist Ab Osterhaus