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The human influenza due to a novel subtype H1N1

Year of publication 2009

Pages 3p.

Author Animal Production and Health Division

Product type Book (series)

Series title EMPRES Watch

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Human influenza virus genes and avian influenza virus genes are known to reassort with swine influenza virus genes and enrich the gene pool of viruses circulating in pigs or human. As a result, genetic diversity of swine influenza viruses has increased over time, and the exchange of swine influenza virus genes circulating in Eurasia and the Americas may no longer be a rare event. In addition, the exchange of viral RNA can be a two-way street, with human influenza virus transmitted to pigs from t heir caretakers. Similarly, influenza virus can also be transmitted from poultry to pigs as well as from pigs to poultry. Through their ability to simultaneously host various influenza viruses, pigs may act as a “mixing vessel” for genetic reassortment of RNA from human, swine and avian viruses. However, at the time of publication (30 April), no evidence had been found of clinical illness in the Mexican or US swine populations, and the virus had not been isolated from pigs or any other non-hum an species. We in FAO consider that the current H1N1 crisis has inappropriately been denominated “swine flu”. Countries that are affected by or are at high-risk from H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza infection, should not lift or shift their ongoing prevention, detection, and control measures to protect avian species and humans.

Language English

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