increase font size
The strain has similar hallmarks of the 2009 swine flu.
Scientists are calling for urgent action following the discovery of a new strain of swine flu.
The discovery was announced in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week.
Similar to the 2009 swine flu strain, the research claims the new strain ‘G4 EA H1N1’ has the ability to infect humans and spread globally.
According to the research, the viruses’ ability to infect humans is increasing. Such an increase indicates a growing opportunity for the virus to begin adapting and spreading in humans.
As a result, the authors of the research are calling for urgent systematic surveillance of influenza viruses in the pig sector as a measure to offer pre-warnings before pandemics.
“Similar to pdm/09 virus, G4 viruses have all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus. Of concern is that swine workers show elevated seroprevalence for G4 virus,
“Controlling the prevailing G4 EA H1N1 viruses in pigs and close monitoring in human populations, especially the workers in swine industry, should be urgently implemented,” says the research.
The research is based on influenza virus surveillance of pigs from 2011 to 2018 in China, including 30,000 swabs from pigs in Chinese abattoirs and 1,000 swabs from pigs with respiratory symptoms.
Whilst 179 virus strains were discovered, the G4 EA H1N1 strain was of immediate attention to the researchers.
The strain is distinct from current influenza vaccine strains, meaning that humans do not have immunity to it from existing seasonal influenza vaccines.
“While all of our focus has been on Covid-19, the other disease continues its march,” said former special trade envoy, Mike Petersen on Twitter this morning.
Dr Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University, says that whilst the virus has pandemic potential, people should remain calm.
“What we should not do is freak out and expect that another flu pandemic is imminent. We should prepare for the flu pandemic that will come: maybe this fall, maybe not for another few years, but is inevitable,” she wrote on Twitter.
Rasmussen also noted that the research was based on only around 350 people and was not subject to rigorous standard peer review, with the senior author choosing his reviewers.
OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.
Over 1,000 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers in the Hawke’s Bay have now been immunised against measles.
Hato Hone St John is urging Kiwis to have a safe summer this year.
Pork farmers says a significant influx of imported pork is causing them concern.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says Pharmac needs to reconsider its decision to fund only one brand of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patches used by women going through perimenopause and menopause.
Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.
Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.
Precision application of nitrogen can improve yields, but the costs of testing currently outweigh improved returns, according to new research from Plant and Food Research, MPI and Ravensdown.
Professionals in South Waikato are succeeding in governance, thanks to a governance mentoring programme for South Waikato.
Timpack, one of New Zealand's largest wooden pallet and bin manufacturers, has been rewarded an exclusive contract to supply Fonterra.
OPINION: Henry Dimbleby, author of the UK's Food Strategy, recently told the BBC: "Meat production is about 85% of our…
OPINION: For the last few weeks, we've witnessed a parade of complaints about New Zealand's school lunch program: 'It's arriving…
