Influenza A/H1N1pdm virus in Russian Asia in 2009-2010

Fifty-six influenza A/H1N1pdm viruses were isolated during 2009-2010 from samples collected in Central and Western Siberia and the Russian Far East. Molecular and genetic properties of 23 strains were studied. Nucleotide and amino-acid sequences of pandemic influenza virus strains were identical (99% identity or more) to reference strain A/California/04/2009. Sporadic substitutions in antigenic sites were detected but did not change antigenic characteristics of strains.