Scientists have found a new influenza virus in China that might potentially become another pandemic. It was found recently and was carried out by pigs.
The scientists also stated that the new flu might as well infect humans. Although it was not a threat yet, it has ‘all the hallmarks’ to be able to infect from another human to another human.
The scientists added that the new virus must be monitored closely because humans still have no immunity towards the virus.
The new virus is called G4 EA H1N1 and it has a bit of similarity with swine flu in 2009. The 2009 swine flu was first started in Mexico and has resulted in a global outbreak that year.
Recent infections of the new virus have been found by researchers in abattoir and swine industry workers in China.
“From the data presented, it appears that this is a swine influenza virus that is poised to emerge in humans,” said Edward Holmes, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Sydney and studies pathogens to the Science Magazine.
“Clearly this situation needs to be monitored very closely,” he added.
Source: 9News, The Spectators Index, BBC, Science Magazine