H3N1 Pig Flu Virus Found In South Korea

playfuls.com ^ | November 20th 2006 | UPI

[Jet Jaguar]

Scientists say they have identified the H3N1 swine influenza virus in domestic pigs in South Korea. A highly infectious respiratory pathogen, the H3N1 influenza A virus is a new genetic reassortment of influenza viruses first identified in U.S. pigs during 2004. The virus can be found in birds and mammals, including humans, but it is not generally transmissible between birds and humans.

Earlier this year, researchers isolated H3N1 viruses in pigs with respiratory diseases at two commercial swine farms in Korea. Further testing confirmed the H3N1 viruses presenting were reassortments of an H3 human-like virus and other genes from swine influenza viruses and that pig-to-pig and farm-to-farm transmission had occurred.

Additionally, analysis of experimentally infected mice suggested the potential to transmit the virus between pigs and other mammalian hosts.

"Given the evidence that pigs can support the reassortment of influenza viruses from humans and other species, it is prudent that we enhance surveillance for atypical influenza viruses in pigs as part of overall pandemic preparedness efforts," the researchers said.

J.Y. Shin and colleagues at Pukyong National University report their findings in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

[Irisshlass]

Now Pig Flu????

[Dont Mention the War]

Flus deserve diversity too!

[null and void]

CRAP!

H1 - H3 are a human types.

Flu shot for sure this time.

[Tall_Texan]

Maybe it can be mixed with a strain of Bird Flu and cause sick pigs to fly.

[null and void]

Ping.

H5N1, now H3N1

Sounds like TROUBLE to me...

[vetvetdoug]

H3N1 Influenza virus types are virulent in horses. About four years ago one of these equine strains mutated into the canine species and has wrecked havoc in dog tracks and boarding facilities.

[mutley]

"Flu shot for sure this time."

Too late. You're doomed. Better luck next time.

[null and void]

I hate it when that happens.

[mutley]

"I hate it when that happens."

I know...it's basically a crap shoot.

[null and void]

Yeah, and nobody gets out alive.

[Cementjungle]

Could this have anything to do with it?

[Irisshlass]

LOL!!!

[Centurion2000]

So the closer the H number to zero the more infectious ?

[TheBattman]

Pig Flu's new name: Islam

[null and void]

As I understand it H1, H2 and H3 are the hemoglutins that can attach to human cells, H5 attaches to avian cells. (and I haven't a clue what the other H#'s attach to)

So the H5N1 bird flu isn't particularly infectious to humans.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

H3 subtypes were first discovered in birds, as well.

---

H3N1 subtype Click on organism name to get more information.
Influenza A virus (A/blue-winged teal/ALB/452/1983(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/duck/New Zealand/76/84(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/mallard duck/ALB/25/1976(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/mallard duck/ALB/26/1976(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/mallard/Ohio/181/1986(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/mynah/Haneda-Thai/1976(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/Changhua/72-10 clone B5/2003(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/Chiai/77-10/2001(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/IN/PU542/04 (H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/Korea/CN22/2006(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/Korea/PZ72-1/2006(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/MI/PU243/04 (H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/Minnesota/00395/2004(H3N1))
Influenza A virus (A/swine/Taiwan/0408/2004(H3N1))

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Undef&id=157802&lvl=3&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock

Contrary to the poor reporting in this story, H3N1 has been studied since 1976.

[null and void]

Thanks! This is why I love FR!

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Here is a compendium, if you get bored. Lots of text, few pix.

http://focosi.immunesig.org/pathoviruses_influenzaA.html#H3N1%20subtype

[EGPWS]

"Given the evidence that pigs can support the reassortment of influenza viruses from humans and other species,...

Whew!

I knew that someday my fortitude in maintaining my Republican status would be a life saver some day.

I'm not a carrier!!! : - )