The History Of Influenza Virus A Shows Inconsistencies In Its Surveillance

The History Of Influenza Virus A Shows Inconsistencies In Its Surveillance
United Kingdom - Professor Rambaut of the University of Edinburgh, associated with Hong Kong and U.S. researchers has traced the history of the H1N1 virus and discovered how it spreads.

Professor Rambaut used a technique of comparing whole genomes to understand the evolution of the H1N1 virus. Before the epidemic outbreak in Mexico, the influenza virus A was already past the pig to the man for several months. The surveillance of influenza viruses circulating in pigs could then allow to better identify and treat the virus strains during their transmission to humans.

If the Mexican virus is a virus of swine origin, it is actually a combination of strains of avian influenza, human and swine. The subtype of swine influenza from which the virus is an H1N1 virus circulating for over ten years and experienced researchers.

The virus contains elements of Eurasian origin, which means that the precursor virus of influenza A have circulated on the planet for at least a decade. The emergence of the virus has appeared several years after his suit, like other influenza pandemics that have affected the 20th century.

This virus is new to the man who has no defenses against it. Therefore, the researchers stress the importance of monitoring influenza viruses circulating in pigs to better understand them before they hit the man.