Washington, Jun 30: Researchers in China have discovered a new type of swine flu that is capable of triggering a pandemic, according to a study published Monday in the US science journal PNAS.
Named G4, it is genetically descended from the H1N1 strain that caused a pandemic in 2009.
It possesses "all the essential hallmarks of being highly adapted to infect humans," say the authors, scientists at Chinese universities and China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The researchers then carried out various experiments including on ferrets, which are widely used in flu studies because they experience similar symptoms to humans -- principally fever, coughing and sneezing.
G4 was observed to be highly infectious, replicating in human cells and causing more serious symptoms in ferrets than other viruses.
Tests also showed that any immunity humans gain from exposure to seasonal flu does not provide protection from G4.
According to blood tests which showed up antibodies created by exposure to the virus, 10.4 percent of swine workers had already been infected.
The tests showed that as many as 4.4 percent of the general population also appeared to have been exposed.
The virus has therefore already passed from animals to humans but there is no evidence yet that it can be passed from human to human -- the scientists' main worry.
"It is of concern that human infection of G4 virus will further human adaptation and increase the risk of a human pandemic," the researchers wrote.
The authors called for urgent measures to monitor people working with pigs.
"The work comes as a salutary reminder that we are constantly at risk of new emergence of zoonotic pathogens and that farmed animals, with which humans have greater contact than with wildlife, may act as the source for important pandemic viruses," said James Wood, head of the department of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University.
A zoonotic infection is caused by a pathogen that has jumped from a non-human animal into a human.
Comments
one of the chut#yst man i ever seen in this news portal..do you think modi is internet email so all the people with him...first change your cow dunge to human brain and come to mangalore for treatment...
Doctor name Dr Kamath surgen 9967453786...
is it ok for you to replace with bakra brain...then dont blame muslim for that..reason we have sortage of human brain due to election
Ananth Kumar, what have you done for the people other then living the life style of the rich and famous with the poor tax payers money and warming up your seat. Nobody can match Siddaramiah he has done 100 foldes of you guys had done.. BJP leaders have nothing tangable to show that's why you guys keep bring up the watch issue. Please vote for Congress! so Siddaramiah can be our CM for a better future for the people of Karnataka.
Moustache still black by the grace of Kolesston colour but Laak chupawo Chupna sakegha Jhoota bjp walon ka jhoot ka chehra. Shakuni mamoo next mp election u will not be anywhere in Karnataka Map.
Wait and watch. first leg will be within a week and the final leg 2019 supda saap no adress of bjp or rss or u.
Anant, thu kasan sangtha maraya, lutha bais. 15 May pale Kazan zatha mum. Yeddi che chaddi votha.
Dear Ananthkumar, you are able and fit leader to be next CM of karnataka. You are always tellig the truth and open to all. We, the people of your constituency fully support you as our care taker and helping us. You are like our God Father.
Anant Kumar is 100 percent correct. Cogress will not get a single seat against the wave's of MODI and YOGI. Our great national hero leader PM Modi has already told that people of Karnataka have made their mind to kick out Congress and select only BJP in karnataka and to be followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra. I think Electon Commission should stop voting in Karnataka to save billions of Rupees as people have already informed our Leader great Modi that they will vote for BJP only. It will be a waste of money for Congress and other parties also as BJP is going to sweep almost all the seats. Our PM is a great astrologer and has dreamt about the win in Karnataka and whatever he dreams it comes true. He had dream of becomingPM of india and it became true. He also dreamed that he will visit also all the countries in the world and its nearly completing as he has left only few countries to visit. Jai Modi ji . Jai Hind.
All Bjp leadrs are day dreaming for power in karnataka which will end on 15th may 2018.Let them happy upto that day. JAI KARNATAKA JAI INDIA.NO FEAR INDIA IS OUR SLOGAN.
Ananth Kumar and Anant Kumar Hegde, both are same in mindset. always spits nonsenses
A study shows BJP is 'richest' political party and the money not in the name of party it's owned by BJP leaders individually. They are not showing it while filing nomination and they are not paying income tax also
The irony is, cow dung fools are criticising normal people
Soon BJP will be eradicated from India due to Computer baba, rapist BJP MLAs, Yogi and Feku etc
In other countries, ministers and elected persons will be highly qualified specific area focused people. Here in India, all BJP MLAs and ministers are some cow dungs
India will be free of BJP due to Modi and his MLA fools
I am not a supporter of any political leader or party. But yeah i'll definitely choose a candidate wisely while voting irrespect of his caste or party.
Mr. Ananth kumar what you know about the facilities the present govt has provided for the farmers by sitiing in Delhi?
Mr. Siddu ( I am not a suppoter of him anyway) has done Something for the farmers of his state. Dont blindnly fool the people of karnataka.
Its sad that farmers are ending their lives all over India..
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