Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.physorg.com/wire-news/91...es-in-animals-still-a-threat-to-human-he.html
Emerging influenza viruses in animals still a threat to human health
February 23rd, 2012
A top international influenza researcher, educated at the University of Otago, warns that public health officials responsible for the surveillance of influenza viruses should not be complacent about the development of new viruses that may spread from the animal world to humans.
Dr Richard Webby from the St Jude Centre of Excellence for Influenza Research in Memphis, USA is one of the keynote speakers at the University of Otago, Wellington?s Public Health Summer School (February 7-24). He is an expert on the interface between animals and humans in relation to influenza viruses...
...He says that health professionals and health systems world-wide need to remain vigilant regarding the development of rogue influenza viruses which jump from animals to humans, and then more dangerously may be able to spread from human to human causing a pandemic.
?The risks have not diminished one iota. In the past 12 months alone we have seen multiple confirmed human infections from three new animal influenza viruses; two from birds and one from pigs,? he says.
?However recent research suggests that these viruses have not yet developed the ability to transmit between humans, but it?s still possible.?
Dr Webby says that viruses which have been found in humans continue also to increase their activity in poultry and pig populations in some regions of the world and the increase of new viruses is of concern...
Emerging influenza viruses in animals still a threat to human health
February 23rd, 2012
A top international influenza researcher, educated at the University of Otago, warns that public health officials responsible for the surveillance of influenza viruses should not be complacent about the development of new viruses that may spread from the animal world to humans.
Dr Richard Webby from the St Jude Centre of Excellence for Influenza Research in Memphis, USA is one of the keynote speakers at the University of Otago, Wellington?s Public Health Summer School (February 7-24). He is an expert on the interface between animals and humans in relation to influenza viruses...
...He says that health professionals and health systems world-wide need to remain vigilant regarding the development of rogue influenza viruses which jump from animals to humans, and then more dangerously may be able to spread from human to human causing a pandemic.
?The risks have not diminished one iota. In the past 12 months alone we have seen multiple confirmed human infections from three new animal influenza viruses; two from birds and one from pigs,? he says.
?However recent research suggests that these viruses have not yet developed the ability to transmit between humans, but it?s still possible.?
Dr Webby says that viruses which have been found in humans continue also to increase their activity in poultry and pig populations in some regions of the world and the increase of new viruses is of concern...