Canadian officials complete the first genetic sequencing of swine flu

Ottawa (Canada), May 7 (ANI): Canadian government officials have announced that they have completed the first genetic sequencing of the H1N1 virus (swine flu).

The Globe and Mail quoted Dr. Frank Plummer, the head of the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg where the sequencing was done, as saying that his team has worked around the clock for the past week to accomplish this world first.

Dr. Plummer said the genetic code of the virus found in Nova Scotia and Ontario was not significantly different to the virus samples from Mexico. That means that the genetic make-up of the virus does not explain the differences in severity between Canadian and Mexican cases, he told reporters.

The vice-president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency spoke at the same press conference, reassuring Canadians that pork and pork products are safe for consumption. (ANI)