BGI's major research arm in Shenzhen says this helps explain why doctors in Europe have had difficulties in fighting the bug which has killed at least 19 people and made more than 1,700 ill.

Cui Yu 'an, Researcher BGI-Huada Genomics Institute in Shenzhen, said, "We have found the bacteria's genes are close to a certain bacteria separated from an African HIV patient in 2002."

BGI says the finding would help doctors choose the right medicines for treatment.