SG Complains

More samples now available to map virus genome – 29 May 09

Singapore Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that with the increase in the number of confirmed cases in Singapore, we now have more samples to do a proper scientific study of the virus. We are now roping in our genome institute, GIS to rapidly map the genome of the virus.

This mapping is to serve 3 purposes:
1) To see if the virus in Singapore is identical to the one spreading overseas
2) To check if the virus is mutating which is normal for a virus
3) To see how the virus is mutating – to become stronger or weaker

This would impact our how Singapore treats this outbreak. If we can scientifically determine that this new strain behaves like common flu strains then we can regard it as such.