WHO calls for ‘close’ watch on flu in farmers, animals

The World Health Organisation on Friday called for closer monitoring of farm workers and animals for influenza A viruses, following recent cases in a wider range of creatures than pigs

Although the WHO stressed that the cases were isolated and had no impact on the way the A(H1N1) swine flu pandemic evolved in humans, the UN health agency said recent findings may indicate broader potential for flu viruses to mix and mutate.

Pigs have traditionally acted as virtual mixing vessels for different flu viruses, allowing them to mutate into new forms that could be passed to humans.

Full Article: here

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 5:24 am and is filed under Novel H1N1 Influenza A (human swine flu), global health news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.