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
what your forefather done, slave of british or licking british boot... muslims fought hard for this country
did your father borns to godse...then you are najaaes aulad!!!
Your father was traitor...who is licking british boot from long time... as i told you last time 80% dog is nothing in front of 15% lion in forest.. i hope you got my point
what is the contribution of HEGDE community to Karnataka .!!!!
People who have not done anything for Mysore or Karnataka, Just Spread Lies, Hatred,and follow the Britishers policy of DIVIDE AND RULE.
JAI HIND , JAI KARNATAKA
Send these rss chaddidaars behind bar for atleast 12 months period. All will leave peace fully.
Tipu was the only one King who fought till his last breathe against british. He was a big treat to British invader which Is still rememered by the Brishers and written in British history. In his kingdom he respected all religion and their worship place. His administration was with all religions. He never spared any single british supporters in some part of MYSORE greedy people supported the Britisher's to enter our Country and cheated the great king. Fact's are trying to erase from the real history and nothing else. But facts never hidden at any cost by any one. Jai Hind Jai Karnataka! Long Live United India
What did Tipu do in India?? Looted all money, attacked many Hindus and Hindu temple and still court supporting people who stands for tipu
There were many deregatory comments against Godse. Why court not taking action against that.
Total injustice. Tipu was a traitor.
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