Scientists Discover A New Strain Of Swine Flu That Has Potential To Be The Next Pandemic

This new type, named 'G4 EA H1N1', was found to be genetically derived from the A/H1N1pdm09 strain that caused the swine flu pandemic in 2009. 

According to researchers responsible for the study, "[The] G4 EA H1N1 virus has all the essential hallmarks of being highly adapted to infect humans."

Scientists from China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and Chinese universities took 30,000 nasal swabs from pigs in slaughterhouses across 10 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2018. 

Out of the 179 swine flu viruses that were found, the majority were of the G4 EA H1N1 strain found to be dominant in pigs since 2016, according to the study.

After performing further tests on ferrets, which experience human-like symptoms, scientists learned that the new virus was highly infectious. It caused serious symptoms in the tested ferrets and was able to replicate in cells that line airways in humans.

Additional tests indicate that approximately 4.4% of the general population have already been exposed, according to a report by AFP.

So far, only animal to human transmission has been found. 

Though the virus has not been passed via human contact, the authors of the study will continue to keep a close eye on the matter. 

"Such infectivity greatly enhances the opportunity for virus adaptation in humans and raises concerns for the possible generation of pandemic viruses," they say.

Researchers do note, however, that the vaccine can be adapted accordingly should the situation call for it.

Professor Kin-Chow Chang at Nottingham University, UK, was quoted by the BBC as saying, "Right now we are distracted with coronavirus and rightly so. But we must not lose sight of potentially dangerous new viruses."

The authors of the study add, "Controlling the prevailing G4 EA H1N1 viruses in pigs and close monitoring in human populations, especially the workers in swine industry, should be urgently implemented."