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<BR>A (H1N1) flu: Questions / Answers<BR><BR><BR><BR>What is the origin of the virus causing the human A (H1N1) flu? <BR><BR>The initial results of genomic sequence analysis of the influenza virus responsible for the current human flu epidemic suggest that the genes of the virus stem from various swine influenza viruses (SIVs). Before their adaptation to pigs, these “donor” SIVs may already have possessed genes of human or avian origin. <BR><BR><BR>Is contamination by the 2009 A (H1N1) virus possible via the digestive tract?<BR><BR>The A (H1N1) virus cannot be transmitted via the digestive tract. During a pandemic, you can continue eating normally, whether at home or elsewhere. Nevertheless, basic hygiene is still important and you should wash your hands frequently, wash fruit and vegetables before consumption, and clean kitchen work surfaces before and after food preparation. If these rules are applied scrupulously, this will be enough to ensure food hygiene and safety, and not only for the A (H1N1) risk.<BR><BR>Is the 2009 A (H1N1) influenza virus present in pig?<BR><BR>Since May 2009, several outbreaks of A (H1N1) influenza were detected in pig farms around the world. In most of these cases, the animals seem to have been infected by transmission of the 2009 A (H1N1) virus from people who had themselves been previously infected with the 2009 A (H1N1) influenza virus, especially people working on pig farms. <BR><BR><BR>Flu viruses in pigs<BR><BR><BR>What flu viruses can infect pigs?<BR><BR>Like all flu viruses, those responsible for flu in pigs are constantly evolving. Furthermore, pigs may be infected by both human and avian influenza viruses. So not only can the pig become an intermediary host for transmission of the avian influenza virus to humans, but is can also serve as a sort of “melting pot”, taking advantage of a co-infection to promote the emergence of new reassortant viruses (especially avian-human). Through the surveillance of pig farms, a large number of different strains have been isolated over the years. There are three main virus groups found in the pig population: H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2.<BR><BR><BR>What are the signs of infection in animals? <BR><BR>Swine flu is a respiratory infection of viral origin. It is caused by different type-A influenza viruses grouped together under the Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) heading. In pigs, infection by the virus causes an illness similar to human flu, although much less severe. While it is a highly contagious infection, the mortality rate in animals is low and the symptoms disappear quickly - within 5 to 7 days. Flu in pigs is enzootic within the worldwide pig population. Flu outbreaks in pigs appear throughout the year on livestock farms, but their numbers increase during the winter. Transmission is mainly direct, through aerosols when coughing or sneezing. <BR><BR><BR>Can humans be infected by swine viruses? <BR><BR>Sporadic cases of inter-species transmission have been cited, usually with people in direct contact with pigs. The transmission of swine viruses to humans is usually benign, but nevertheless may have serious consequences. <BR><BR> <BR><BR><BR><BR>> What is The Agency doing about swine flu?<BR><BR><BR><BR>3 November 2009<BR>> The 2009 A (H1N1) influenza virus human epidemic: consequences for livestock farms<BR><BR>> Transmission of the 2009 A (H1N1) influenza virus from Humans to Animals<BR><BR>> Swine influenzas<BR><BR><BR>> Le Bulletin Épidémiologique numéro 33 - Grippe porcine et virus influenza porcins<BR><BR>> http://www.pandemie-grippale.gouv.fr/<BR>Find out more...<BR>Opinions and/or reports related to this topic (mainly in french) :<BR><BR>Animal health and animal food<BR>Home,Anses,News,Press room,Agenda,Our topics,Food,Animal health and nutrition,Environmental health,Occupational health,Plants,Opinions and publications,Last opinions and reports,Food opinions and reports,Animal health and nutrition opinions and reports,Environmental and occupational health opinions and reports,Plants opinions,Opinions and reports in English,Bulletins and periodicals,Other publications,Subscribe to Anses newsletter,Research and reference,Research program,Laboratories and reference activities, + ,Job opportunities,Public procurement contracts,Our websites,Partners,Extranet / ExpertNet,Kid's area,Legal notice,Contact, ,<A HREF='PNM2I0.htm'>New</A>
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A (H1N1) flu: Questions / Answers
What is the origin of the virus causing the human A (H1N1) flu?
The initial results of genomic sequence analysis of the influenza virus responsible for the current human flu epidemic suggest that the genes of the virus stem from various swine influenza viruses (SIVs). Before their adaptation to pigs, these “donor” SIVs may already have possessed genes of human or avian origin.
Is contamination by the 2009 A (H1N1) virus possible via the digestive tract?
The A (H1N1) virus cannot be transmitted via the digestive tract. During a pandemic, you can continue eating normally, whether at home or elsewhere. Nevertheless, basic hygiene is still important and you should wash your hands frequently, wash fruit and vegetables before consumption, and clean kitchen work surfaces before and after food preparation. If these rules are applied scrupulously, this will be enough to ensure food hygiene and safety, and not only for the A (H1N1) risk.
Is the 2009 A (H1N1) influenza virus present in pig?
Since May 2009, several outbreaks of A (H1N1) influenza were detected in pig farms around the world. In most of these cases, the animals seem to have been infected by transmission of the 2009 A (H1N1) virus from people who had themselves been previously infected with the 2009 A (H1N1) influenza virus, especially people working on pig farms.
Flu viruses in pigs
What flu viruses can infect pigs?
Like all flu viruses, those responsible for flu in pigs are constantly evolving. Furthermore, pigs may be infected by both human and avian influenza viruses. So not only can the pig become an intermediary host for transmission of the avian influenza virus to humans, but is can also serve as a sort of “melting pot”, taking advantage of a co-infection to promote the emergence of new reassortant viruses (especially avian-human). Through the surveillance of pig farms, a large number of different strains have been isolated over the years. There are three main virus groups found in the pig population: H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2.
What are the signs of infection in animals?
Swine flu is a respiratory infection of viral origin. It is caused by different type-A influenza viruses grouped together under the Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) heading. In pigs, infection by the virus causes an illness similar to human flu, although much less severe. While it is a highly contagious infection, the mortality rate in animals is low and the symptoms disappear quickly - within 5 to 7 days. Flu in pigs is enzootic within the worldwide pig population. Flu outbreaks in pigs appear throughout the year on livestock farms, but their numbers increase during the winter. Transmission is mainly direct, through aerosols when coughing or sneezing.
Can humans be infected by swine viruses?
Sporadic cases of inter-species transmission have been cited, usually with people in direct contact with pigs. The transmission of swine viruses to humans is usually benign, but nevertheless may have serious consequences.
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