Nature: Emergence of H7N9 avian flu hints at broader threat

[tetano]

Nature | News
Emergence of H7N9 avian flu hints at broader threat

Evolutionary path shows related virus can infect some mammals, raising concerns about spread.

Beth Mole

21 August 2013




The H7N9 influenza virus did not emerge alone. Researchers have traced the evolution of the deadly avian flu currently spreading in China, and have found evidence that it developed in parallel with a similar bird flu, H7N7, which can infect mammals1.

Although there is no evidence that this H7N7 strain will infect humans, the authors of a study published today in Nature1 say that their finding reinforces the idea that H7 avian viruses are constantly mixing and exchanging genetic material — a process known as reassortment — in Asian poultry markets. This raises the threat that H7N7 will reassort and become able to spread to humans.

"H7 is out there in China and not just in the form of this H7N9," says Richard Webby, a co-author of the study and an influenza specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

..


http://www.nature.com/news/emergence-of-h7n9-avian-flu-hints-at-broader-threat-1.13584

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Nature: Emergence of H7N9 avian flu hints at broader threat

hat tip @PacificCommand

Scientists find another flu virus in chickens in China

POSTED: 22 Aug 2013 1:47 AM

Scientists studying the H7N9 bird flu virus that has killed more than 40 people since March said on Wednesday they had discovered another H7-type virus lurking in chickens in China.


snip

Yi said the study highlighted the need for better surveillance.

"We need to take samples from different types of poultry regularly to see what kinds of viruses are circulating in these birds," he said.


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/scientists-find-another/785866.html

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Nature: Emergence of H7N9 avian flu hints at broader threat

This is the above referenced study.

hat tip tetano


"The discovery here of a related H7N7 influenza virus in chickens that has the ability to infect mammals experimentally, suggests that H7 viruses may pose threats beyond the current outbreak. The continuing prevalence of H7 viruses in poultry could lead to the generation of highly pathogenic variants and further sporadic human infections, with a continued risk of the virus acquiring human-to-human transmissibility."


http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210334

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Nature: Emergence of H7N9 avian flu hints at broader threat

Excuse me, but after almost twenty year of the 'extremely dangerous' and ominous H5N1 strain, having changed 'horse' does not help a better understand of nature of influenza viruses and - much importantly - to build stronger countermeasures.

H5N1 is currently ravaging several countries - especially the poorest and where veterinarian and health services are completely dilapidated, namely in Nepal, some Indian States, Bangladesh (along with H9N2), Cambodia, Indonesia, Egypt, for example.

I think world community is making a enormous mistake trying to obscure H5N1 'disaster' ongoing, mainly because the lack of willingness and international cooperation and funding in control and prevention measures in agriculture and farming system of these poor countries.

Since most of the human transmissibility and virulence of putative pandemic strain features remain largely unknown despite all these papers and studies, having so much H5N1 circulating wildly among domestic animals with close contact with humans put the entire world community in danger,because a novel reassortant or mutant may appear everytime.

GM