Bird flu in pigs poses human risk
26/1/2007 10:29
Scientists said two pigs on the Indonesian island of Bali had become infected
with the bird flu virus, again raising concerns the deadly flu virus could
become transmissible between people.
Speaking at a China-Japan infection
prevention conference in Guangzhou, a leading Chinese medical expert said the
pigs generated a variant of the bird flu virus after they contracted bird
flu.
The pigs acted as a kind of mixing vessel in which genetic material
from avian flu viruses combined with other influenza strains, said Zhong
Nanshan, a renowned medical expert and academician with the Chinese Academy of
Engineering.
Some pig organs are similar to human organs, suggesting that
a similar mixing of flu genetic material could occur in humans, said
Zhong.
The best way to prevent bird flu is to dispose of infected birds
as quickly as possible, establish stringent quarantine requirements and treat
human patients rapidly, Zhong said.
Xinhua news
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