Swine Virus Deadlier than H1N1 Feared to Become Another Killer Outbreak

Swine Virus Deadlier than H1N1 Feared to Become Another Killer Outbreak

An Influenza virus found in pigs has now been transmitted to humans, making public health officials review some of the lessons learned from H1N1 pandemic in 2009. Since July 10, many cases have already been reported to who have acquired the evolved virus. Among were children below 10 years of age.

According to reports, a recent infection involves three young children in Iowa and now continues to spread from person-to-person.

This outbreak leaves public health officials facing a reality that a new swine origin flu virus is active. Further, officials are finding ways on what needs to be done to eliminate this flu virus. According to medical experts, flu viruses can easily mutate into legal pathogens. Thus, ignoring the virus is not an alternative though no deaths have been reported yet.

Likewise, World Health Organization is preparing to respond to this new health threat, a swine origin influenza A virus of the H3N2 subtype. Experts revealed that this new virus has acquired the M gene of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus, allowing it easy and fast transmission from one person to another.

Meanwhile, the pork industries are also facing a challenge on how to handle this new outbreak. Paul Sundburg, vice president for science and technology for the National Pork Board said that his team has already discussed with the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in Atlanta.

Posted by George Daniels on Wednesday December 07 2011, 5:28 AM EST. Ref: CBC News. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0