Barack Obama on the 24th U.S. president declared a state of emergency nationwide access to influenza H1N1 influenza. More people are infected with influenza A trend seems to have been inevitable.
At the same time, U.S. scientists have recently confirmed that the United States of pigs infected with influenza A H1N1 influenza viruses.
Was initially mistaken called "swine flu" epidemic of Influenza A H1N1 influenza in the human body after infection, but also infected pigs, people - that may exist between pig for scientists concerned about cross-infection, the virus hybrid, the possibility of mutation has also been attached great importance to .
Loop
The U.S. "Washington Post" reported on 25 such a scientist's hypothesis, or that concern: Influenza A H1N1 influenza viruses transmitted directly from person to pigs, and swine influenza virus previously known hybrid, even with the avian influenza virus hybrid, Later, the formation of a new virus and re-infect humans.
This summer, Minnesota Merchandise Show in the United States, the United States University of Minnesota, and Iowa State University scientists have confirmed that the seven participating pigs infected with influenza A H1N1 influenza viruses. Experts suspect that these pigs infected with influenza A virus, influenza virus may be sick source of visitors.
University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Director Michael T · Osterholm said: "We are concerned that the (H1N1) virus will infect pigs, and then returned by the pig-borne human ... ... The problem is , the virus in pigs what genetic changes will occur. "
Scientists fear that people infected with swine influenza virus, influenza virus, and even the bird flu virus mixing to generate new variants. This new virus may have the virus do not have the characteristics of the original, including the infectious stronger, faster propagation speed, greater damage to the lungs. Even worse, the body's immune system ignorant of the new virus.
Traceability
"Washington Post" that human influenza A H1N1 influenza virus at this stage there is no known origin. But one thing has been confirmed: This has now been infected with more than 190 countries and regions, the virus was initially a pig's body was found.
In 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Iowa State two emerged from a laboratory sample testing farm pigs and found that the virus of swine influenza virus and avian influenza virus mixture. The two farms are taking water from the outdoor pond, pigs, scientists suspect that the water may be ducks carry bird flu virus contamination.
This hybrid virus, scientists found that this virus to determine their ability to communicate within the H-protein in the human body completely adapt to the environment. In other words, the virus may be transmitted from pigs to humans, but also led to the Asian flu pandemic of 1957 influenza virus H-protein, very close.
Isolation
In order to prevent potential infection cycle to avoid direct contact between man and pig seems to be a safer approach. However, is not that simple.
34-year-old American spent 525 thousand U.S. dollars in German Schott built a closed pig farms. Pigs were purchased from the same place, in the farms closed within 6 months after feeding into the slaughterhouse.
In the modern pig-raising process, the breeder farms and out of pre-need a bath, put on full-enclosed protective clothing, and sometimes need to wear rubber gloves and masks. Pig feed to the pig farm from outside the truck, and then by the conveyor belt into the venue, the whole process full mechanization. Just enter the pig raisers twice a day to check every link is functioning properly.
Yet even so, does not completely prevent the flu virus attacks. Farm veterinary Maikemeier said that these measures have affected many traditional disease-free pigs. But even so closed, it is possible to pigs infected with influenza viruses.
A survey in 2006 showed that 58% of farms in the United States at least there is a swine influenza virus antibody in vivo. In other words, 58% of the farms suffered or had been subjected to flu viruses.
Regression
This year in April, influenza A H1N1 influenza in the United States and Mexico, California, appears, had been mistaken for the traditional "swine flu."
As a result, scientists began his study of swine influenza virus. But as the epidemic over the past six months, expanding against swine influenza virus research has become increasingly small.
At present, many scientists have once again sparked interest in studies of swine influenza viruses. Have been found in pigs in vivo, the scientists collected the same time, the human influenza, swine influenza and avian influenza virus gene fragments.
Next, viral gene mutation and hybrids become the biggest concern. The inter-cross infection between species may enable further expansion of the epidemic.
As a result, American scientists in the study of human infection with influenza A H1N1 influenza at the same time, it began to bend down for the pig physical, hoping to get more information about the virus.
U.S. bird flu expert, Robert G · Webster said: "We really need to know more information: the country's pigs and what happened?"