Modified H5N1 virus can spread from pigs to humans

Japanese scientists have discovered that an H5N1 avian influenza virus has changed in pigs in Indonesia and has the ability to spread easily from pigs to humans.

Lead researcher Yoshihiro Kawaoka, of the University of Tokyo Institute of Medicine, feared that a virus that could infect pigs from humans could be spread on a large scale without being detected.

In a recent scientific report, the team led by Mr. Kawaoka affirmed: ' Our data show that pigs are at risk of infection during outbreaks of A / H5N1 influenza and may be acts as an intermediary for this newly discovered flu virus to adapt to mammals . '

Scientists insist that pigs should be tested to see if they are infected with the virus, even if they have not shown any symptoms.

Mr. Kawaoka and Japanese scientists collaborated with Indonesia's Airlangga University to examine samples from the nose, feces and serum of randomly selected 702 pigs from 14 Indonesian provinces. 2005-2009 period.

Among the pigs tested during 2005-2007, 7.4% were infected with avian influenza viruses. Of the 37 virus samples analyzed, the scientists found a virus that could automatically penetrate human nose or throat cells.

Test results in the 2008-2009 period showed that pigs showed signs of being infected in the past but no virus was isolated.

According to scientists, bird flu does not normally infect humans. However, because pigs are susceptible to both human and bird flu, it is believed that this newly discovered strain has changed in an infected pig.