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.
Mangaluru, Jul 23: It was sheer hard work and determination that paid off, says Fathima Hamza, who is one of a very few persons from coastal Karnataka to crack the coveted chartered accountancy final exam in their first attempt.
Comments
Masha Allah
Congratulatuions Sister Fathima all the very best for your future.
Mabrook Fathima Keep it up
Mash Allah , Great Job Done By Fathima and one of the toughest Job on earth is Indian CA, Great Fathima you made Muslim Community Proud .
Masha Allaha,,, Good Achivement.. keep it up.. sis.
I think he is talking about His own Party.
KESARU = RSS, KAMALA = BJP
Great achievements fathima hamza congratulations, let fulfill your future studying dream Masha allah.
Sudhar Javo Naren. Dont waste your valuable life. Be clean minded and clean hearted. Pray for your right guidance from Almighty God.
Ma Sha Allah Sister.. May Allah bless you in all your future steps..
Frustated person is disliking all comments. :D Sudhaar jaao yaar abhi bhi bahuth waqt hey
Congratulations fatima .may Allah bless you in good health and knowledge
kesarinalli kamala...
Masha Allah alf mabrook. Excellent performance.keep it up
Fathima ,you made your parents ,family and our community proud.
you made us BWF very proud, and myself and on behalf of BWF congratulations for your bright future. Let All your hopes and dreams be fulfilled
Masha Allha.. congratulations..
ALHAMDULILLAH. ALF MABROOK AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MS.FATHIMA HAMZA, & HER PARENTS MR.HAMZA ABDUL KHADER & MRS.ZAINAB MUMTAZ & THE WHOLE FAMILY., WHO ARE CLOSELY KNOWN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT IS A VERY GLAD NEWS TO HERE ABOUT THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF PASSING OUT HER CA EXAM IN FIRST ATTEMPT, MASHA ALLAH. IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT HERE ABOUT HER DEDICATION, COMMITTMENT, HARDWORK & FOCUS ON THE SUBJECT, WHICH GAVE HER SUCCESSFUL RESULT. OFCOURSE, PROPER GUIDANCE AND UPBRINGING BY HER PARENTS. MAY ALMIGHTY ALLAH BLESS HER & HER PARENTS & FAMILY WITH HIS MERCIFUL AND BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS AND ALSO A SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL FUTURE FOR HER, AAMEEN.
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