Professor Kin-Chow Chang Who Worked on a New Study that Identified a Swine-Flu Variation in China with Pandemic Potential.

Right now we are distracted with coronavirus and rightly so. But we must not lose sight of potentially dangerous new viruses.

• Researchers looked at pig populations and workers in China from 2011-2018.
• Discovered about 10% of workers had exposure to this new flu strain.
• The variation has a “G4” genotype found in pigs dating back to 2016. The challenge is that the flu vaccine available does not include protection against: “G4 EA H1N1,”
• Scientists: “Controlling the prevailing G4 EA H1N1 viruses in pigs and close monitoring in human populations, especially the workers in swine industry, should be urgently implemented,”

Why It Matters: Reminds us that while the focus remains on the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 we cannot ignore new research on other potential emerging viruses.

LEARN MORE:

New strain of flu found in China has potential to become a pandemic, scientists warn CNBC ARTICLE

Lessons from the past: What to know about past pandemic response in the U.S.: CLICK HERE