Influenza News: Scientists Discover Unmonitored Reservoirs Of Influenza A Virus In Pigs In South-East Asia That Are A Potential Global Threat!
Thailand Medical News Team Aug 16, 2023 1 year, 4 months, 6 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes ago
Influenza News: In an alarming revelation, a recent study led by researchers from the Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School has uncovered a distressing reality - active swine flu reservoirs are flourishing in South East Asia, representing a potential global threat. This new research has unveiled a dire situation of unmonitored influenza A virus populations in pigs, raising concerns about the potential for a deadly pandemic.
The Silent Swine Flu Threat in Southeast Asia
The study's focus spanned from March 2020 to July 2022, during which intensive swine influenza surveillance was carried out across 18 pig slaughterhouses in Cambodia. The researchers diligently collected and analyzed over 4,000 nasal swabs from pigs across different provinces. Shockingly, 72 pigs, equivalent to 1.8% of the samples, tested positive for the influenza A virus. This discovery brought to light the troubling reality that a significant percentage of pigs in Southeast Asia harbor the virus.
Of particular concern was the revelation that pigs from Kandal province exhibited the highest positivity rate at 4.5%. However, the researchers told
Influenza News reporters from TMN that the threat extended beyond the borders of Cambodia, with reports of similar problems in other Southeast Asian nations. This hinted at the existence of virus reservoirs elsewhere in the world, suggesting a potential global issue.
Genomic Landscape of Swine Influenza A Viruses
The genomic analysis of the collected samples shed light on the genetic diversity of the swine influenza viruses. The dominant subtype identified was H1N1, accounting for a staggering 82.2% of the sequenced samples.
Detailed phylogenetic analysis delved into the diverse lineages of H1 viruses in circulation within Cambodia, revealing their genetic origins. Most strikingly, the study indicated that human H1N1/pdm09 lineage played a significant role in the genetic composition of these viruses, suggesting reverse zoonotic transmission from humans to pigs.
Notably, the research also uncovered the presence of H3 influenza subtypes, which were found in 22.2% of the samples. These H3 viruses often co-infected with the prevalent H1N1/pdm09 viruses, hinting at the potential for genetic reassortment within these pig populations. This genetic mixing could lead to the emergence of novel and potentially more dangerous strains.
Global Implications of Unmonitored Swine Influenza
While the study focused on Cambodia, the findings have broader implications that extend beyond its borders. The intercontinental and intracontinental spread of swine influenza viruses was identified as a key driver in the emergence of new viral lineages. The genetic reassortment between previously segregated virus populations was highlighted as a process that heightens the risk of a pandemic. This risk is exacerbated by the lack of systematic surveillance of swine influenza viruses, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Historical Context and the Ongoing Threat
The emergence of swine influenza viruses is not a new phenomen
on. The historical context of viral outbreaks, such as the 1918 "Spanish flu" and the 2009 swine flu pandemic, underscores the potential danger posed by these viruses. The Spanish flu, which emerged from a chicken farm in the United States, infected millions worldwide and resulted in millions of deaths. Similarly, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, while largely contained through swift scientific efforts, highlighted the ease with which swine-origin viruses can infect humans.
Economic and Health Ramifications
The unmonitored presence of diverse swine influenza lineages has economic and health implications. Pig farmers, who may not detect any outward signs of infection, unknowingly harbor multiple forms of influenza A within their herds. The lack of systematic surveillance presents a significant challenge, given the expense and specialized skills required. The potential consequences of a deadly pandemic stemming from unmonitored swine populations are far-reaching, both in terms of public health and economic impact.
Mitigating the Threat
To mitigate the threat posed by these unmonitored swine influenza reservoirs, a paradigm shift in surveillance methods is needed. Traditional methods of sampling individual animals are expensive and time-consuming. Instead, the stud team proposes the integration of advanced techniques such as metagenomic surveillance of air and wastewater samples in farms and slaughterhouses. Coupled with automated analytical tools, this approach could provide rapid insights into the spatiotemporal occurrence of various pathogens, thereby enhancing animal and human health.
Conclusion
The discovery of unmonitored swine influenza reservoirs in Southeast Asia serves as a stark reminder of the potential for emerging infectious diseases to cause widespread devastation. The genomic diversity and genetic reassortment of these viruses underscore the urgency of proactive surveillance and intervention. While history has taught us the consequences of underestimating the threat of influenza A viruses, this new research emphasizes the need for global collaboration and innovative surveillance methods to prevent a future pandemic of unprecedented proportions.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2301926120
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