http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_fluQuote:
The new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) involved in the 2009 flu outbreak in humans is a reassortment of several strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that are, separately, endemic in humans, endemic in birds, and endemic in swine. Preliminary genetic characterization found that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene was similar to that of swine flu viruses present in United States pigs since 1999, but the neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein (M) genes resembled versions present in European swine flu isolates. Viruses with this genetic makeup had not previously been found to be circulating in humans or pigs, but there is no formal national surveillance system to determine what viruses are circulating in pigs in the United States.[52] The origins of this new strain remain unknown.
The earliest known human case, 5 year old Edgar Hernandez, was near a pig farm in La Gloria, Veracruz state, Mexico, that raises almost 1 million pigs a year[53]. Residents of La Gloria have long complained about the clouds of flies that are drawn to the so-called 'manure lagoons' created by such mega-farms.[54] Edgar Hernandez was thought to be suffering from ordinary influenza but laboratory testing revealed he had contracted swine flu. The boy went on to make a full recovery.[55]
"If the people who are supposed to be familiar with this didn't know what it was, how will we ever know how my son got it?" Edgar's mother, Hernandez said.
La Gloria, Perote, Veracruz is a small community, surrounded by large pig farms. Reports indicate that during February 2009 over 400 persons in the town had flu like symptoms and 2 infants died of 'pneumonia'.
Juan Rodriguez died of 'pneumonia' February 9th at age 7 months.
Yovanni Apolinar died of 'pneumonia' March 12th at age 2 months.
USDA researchers say that while pig vaccination keeps pigs from getting sick, it does not block infection or shedding of the virus.[56]
Dr. Anne Schuchat, interim Deputy Director for CDC Science and Public Health, said that the American cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe – "an unusually mongrelised mix of genetic sequences."[57] Pigs have been shown to act as a potential "mixing vessel" in which reassortment can occur between flu viruses of several species.[58][59] This new strain appears to be a result of reassortment of human influenza and swine influenza viruses, presumably due to superinfection in an individual human. Influenza viruses readily undergo reassortment due to antigenic shift because their genome is split between eight pieces of RNA (see Orthomyxoviridae).
The current strain of swine flu can adapt to humans and spread more efficiently than previously known swine H1N1 strains. Moreover, co-infection of H1N1 swine flu and Oseltamivir resistant H1N1 season flu can lead to acquisition of the H274Y mutation by the swine flu via recombination or reassortment.[60] Swine H1N1 with human H1 and N1 have been reported.[61]
The 1918 flu pandemic strain had undergone polymorphism from swine and human H1N1 in all eight pieces of RNA gene segments. Similar swapping of gene segments in humans co-infected with seasonal human influenza and swine H1N1 can lead to rapid evolution.[62]
The new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) is currently listed by the United States and World Health Organization as a Stage 5 pandemic virus.[63]
Be careful everyone. My suggestion is buy hand sanitizer and clean your hands and try and avoid congested areas if all possible. Also think about what all gets handled by tons of people??? MONEY! Clean your hands after money handling, and maybe wipe down your credit/debit cards! I hate to be paranoid but this is escalating rapidly and is already a stage five pandemic virus. Meaning its in more than one continent and still spreading.
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