New swine flu strain discovered in China can start a new pandemic

As the world continues to battle the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), a new swine flu strain that has the potential to become the next pandemic has been discovered in China.

Newly discovered swine flu in China can become the next pandemic | Source: Pexels

The newfound swine flu virus is called G4 EA H1N1, a genetic descendant of the H1N1 strain that caused the 2009 pandemic.

And researchers say it has the makings of the next pandemic flu since it is highly infectious and can replicate in human cells.

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BBC reports that scientists have found evidence that recent infections started in slaughterhouse and swine industry workers.

While there's no evidence yet that it can be transmitted from human to human, scientists are taking no chances.

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In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, scientists emphasized the need to act immediately.

The authors wrote, “G4 EA H1N1 viruses possess all the essential hallmarks of being highly adapted to infect humans. Controlling the prevailing G4 EA H1N1 viruses in pigs and close monitoring of swine working populations should be promptly implemented.”

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Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/30/new-swine-flu-with-pandemic-potential-identified-by-china-researchers

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/new-swine-flu-strain-discovered-in-china-has-pandemic-potential/?fbclid=IwAR1-iMCwkqY8QSx-ZDeLT6PHm12SFJKy4i0LpMdBKm-AQwgN_0a-A1fYBPI

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