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Global First Case Of Reverse Transmission Shows Virus Evolving
Ironically, a virus believed to have originated from pigs is now being found to be jumping from humans to swines. On a day when the World Health Organisation announced a surge of confirmed H1N1 flu cases among humans—nearly 872 in 18 countries—Canada reported the globe's first reverse transmission of H1N1 from humans to pigs.Canadian health officials believe the infection that was found in 220 hogs —about 10% of the farm's pig population—spread from a farm worker who became ill during a recent trip to Mexico. Another worker on the farm is being tested for symptoms.
WHO, in a global press conference that TOI was also part of, said the farm has been quarantined and no infected animals were allowed to leave its premises. Interestingly, the same H1N1 strain that is presently infecting humans was found to have caused the infection in pigs. "This is the first detection of the virus in pigs that up until now was being seen to be jumping from human to human," said the WHO.
The global health body, however, was quick to reiterate that at present there was no recommendation to cull pigs.
Experts in Geneva say influenza viruses are known to reassert all the time in nature. However, this case of reverse transmission has led to fears of the H1N1 virus mixing with another highly pathogenic influenza strain—the H5N1 avian influenza virus—and becoming a more dangerous strain.
In the light of the virus's new traits, WHO's scientific committee is meeting in Geneva on Monday to discuss what they now know of the virus—its incubation period, its severity, its origin and which groups may be most vulnerable.
WHO also said it was unclear when the latest outbreak would be termed as a pandemic at phase 6 level as at present, epidemiological data suggests that the virus had not spread in a sustained way outside of the Americas, a condition necessary to declare a full global pandemic.
Cautioning against Mexico's view that the epidemic was easing having peaked between April 23-27 in the country, and that the virus's genetic makeup lacked traits seen in the deadly 1918 flu pandemic strain, the WHO said the only wise course was to prepare for the worst. "In 1918, the Spanish flu surged during spring, disappeared in summer only to reappear with a vengeance during autumn and ultimately take over 40 million lives. Such increase and decrease of virus activity should not make us lower our guard," an official said.
China quarantines over 70 Mexicans
More than 70 Mexican travellers have been quarantined in hospitals and hotels in China as a part of sweeping antiswine flu measures, the country's ambassador to Beijing said on Sunday. Mexicans were being asked to identify themselves on arriving flights and isolated from other travellers after landing, Jorge Guajardo said in an interview. In one case, a Mexican couple and their three small children were rousted from their hotel room at 4 am and transported to a hospital, he said. None of those in isolation has presented symptoms and most had no contact with infected persons or places, he said. "In many cases we have gotten reports that they were being quarantined for the sole fact that they had a Mexican passport, whether or not they came from Mexico, whether or not they had been in Mexico, whether or not they had been in contact with someone else from Mexico,'' Guajardo said. Mexican foreign minister Patricia Espinosa has called the quarantines in Beijing and elsewhere discriminatory and urged Mexicans not to travel to China until the situation is resolved. TNN & AGENCIES
Obama calls Mexican president:
President Obama called Mexican President Felipe Calderon and spoke for 20 minutes about ways to keep swine flu from spreading further and the importance of close US-Mexican cooperation.
Baghdad zoo kills boars: Three wild boars at Baghdad's zoo were killed on Saturday as a precautionary measure against the swine flu spreading to Iraq.
WTO says it's safe to eat pork:
The UN and World Trade Organisation have said there is no justification for anti-pork trade measures and that consumers can safely eat pig products as long as they are prepared hygienically.
THINGS HEATING UP: A quarantine officer checks the temperature of a passenger arriving at the Incheon international airport in Seoul on Sunday
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