Canada has announced that its scientists have completed the full genetic sequencing of the A H1N1 influenza virus.

Canadian Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said in a news conference Wednesday that scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada's microbiology lab in Winnipeg cracked the genetic makeup of three samples --- one from Mexico and two from Canada.

Aglukkaq said preliminary analysis found that the trio of samples does not differ significantly at the genetic level.

She added that the finding marks the first complete sequencing of the H1N1 flu virus --- a step that she says is vitally important to understanding the outbreak.

The sequencing is expected to advance efforts to develop a vaccine for the virus.