H7N9 is most adapted bird flu for human-to-human transmission, say experts

[tetano]

The new H7N9 virus that has emerged on the mainland in recent months is more likely to be transmissible between humans than any other known bird flu virus, Chinese and world experts have concluded after investigations in affected areas.

They based their conclusion on the fact that the virus has caused more human infections in a shorter period than any other bird flu virus, and that it has undergone genetic changes that suggested it is better adapted to infecting humans.

"The virus appears to be very transmissible from poultry to human, implying that it could more easily become transmissible between humans," said Professor Malik Peiris, head of virology at the University of Hong Kong and one of 14 experts who took part in the study.

...

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1273364/h7n9-most-adapted-bird-flu-human-human-transmission-say-experts

[gsgs]

Re: H7N9 is most adapted bird flu for human-to-human transmission, say experts

after following this since >7 years I'm a bit sceptical about such
statements. Scientists seem to overestimate the importance
of the research that they are involved in.
This is also the standard introduction in scientific papers,
first they explain why the research being done is particularly important.
But only arguments are being picked here from the large pool
of all possible statements, no scientific evaluation and evidence
is necessary in that introductory part.

Same here.

For a statement as the one in the headline here, I'd expect
some experiments, comparing titers of ferrets infected
with several viruses or such.
Or comparison of h2h infections of several strains, H5N1,H7N9,
Dutch H7N7,H3N2v,equine H3N8, Euroswine H1N1 etc.

Let's see whether flu-scientists not involved in H7N9 research
will second this Peiris statement.
Let's see whether Peiris will still say this when/if H7N9 is forgotten
in some years and other threats appear

-------------------------------------------------------------

> The new H7N9 virus that has emerged on the mainland in recent months is more likely
> to be transmissible between humans than any other known bird flu virus, Chinese and
> world experts have concluded after investigations in affected areas.

if investigations in affected areas is the key to understand human transmission, then you have
to wonder why the papers don't reflect this.
Usually it's measured by placing ferrets in adjacent cages or by finding mutations
that show h2h spread as in the Karo-cluster.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

> The virus appears to be very transmissible from poultry to human, implying that it
> could more easily become transmissible between humans,"

but chickens are no humans, as the TWiV-crew would say.
Good C2H implies good H2H ?
Did we ever see a flu strain that established in humans (or swine or horses) that came from chickens ?
Does good C2F imply good F2F or C2S or C2G - they should test this.
Or someone makes a review of the existing transmission studies, it's a bit confusing,
hard to keep track