July 11, 2009

Humans can pass AH1N1 to pigs

A study has found that humans can infect pigs with AH1N1, according to scientists from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the national research centre for animal health of Germany.

The findings add a new risk factor to the global AH1N1 virus pandemic, said the scientists.

Virologists from FLI infected five pigs with the human strain of the virus and housed them with three uninfected pigs. Within four days, the three pigs became infected and all were showing flu symptoms.

However, five chickens which were housed and uncaged with the pigs in the same room did not become infected, which eased fears that the virus can pass to poultry and pick up genes from avian microbes, allowing it to mutate.

The scientists said the remarkably swift and easy way in which the three pigs became infected highlights the risk that the virus could become endemic in pig farms through people in close proximity.

The study also pointed out that no clear evidence has proved that pigs were to blame for the AH1N1 flu.