Articles tagged with Swine Flu
Researchers have identified a tropical source for the influenza A virus, which infects North Americans each winter and causes an average of 36,000 deaths. The study found that two strains of the virus, H3N2 and H1N1, follow a distinct pattern in their seasonal emergence and evolution.
The study found that key codons responsible for antigenic drift were identified in the HA1 gene of H3N2 influenza viruses. The mutations occurred over eight flu seasons and affected four times of antigenic drift in Fujian, China.
Researchers found that genetic material exchange between closely related influenza A virus strains may have caused the 1947 and 1951 human flu epidemics, challenging the long-held belief that reassortment events lead to severe pandemics.
Researchers found that genetic reassortment events led to the creation of new hybrid viruses in humans during severe influenza epidemics in 1947 and 1951. This challenges the standard model of human influenza virus evolution, suggesting a more complex co-circulation of multiple forms of the same strain.
Researchers discovered two mutations in the H1N1 avian flu virus's hemagglutinin molecule enable it to bind tightly to human upper respiratory tract receptors. This binding affinity is crucial for viral transmission and explains why certain strains are more infectious than others.
A University of Alberta study recommends monitoring swine flu in workers on pig farms as part of pandemic preparedness due to potential adaptation into efficient human-to-human transmission. The strain was detected in several household members and pigs without direct contact with the child who initially contracted it.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that some people have low-titer antibodies against H5N1 influenza, suggesting potential protection. The researchers also observed cross-reactive antibodies in mice, which afforded partial protection against avian H5N1 infection.
Occupational exposure to pigs significantly increases the risk of developing swine influenza infection, according to a new study. The risk is particularly high for farmers, veterinarians, and meat processing workers, who may be more likely to contract the virus due to their close contact with pigs.
Researchers found US swine workers, farmers and veterinarians to be seropositive for swine influenza antibodies, increasing their risk of infection. A human influenza vaccination program is recommended to prevent an epidemic.
Researchers found that bird flu virus H5N1 induces higher levels of pro-inflammatory proteins in human lung cells compared to the human flu virus H1N1. This imbalance can lead to severe lung inflammation and may explain the severity of avian flu virus infections.
A new study has tracked the evolution of the H3N2 influenza virus in New York over five flu seasons, revealing at least three distinct subpopulations of the virus. The research demonstrates the potential for genomics to inform vaccine development and improve public health by understanding the dynamics of flu virus evolution.
Researchers found a significant decline in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) reports following influenza vaccination, with annual rates decreasing by 4-fold between 1993-1994 and 2002-2003. A GBS diagnosis was confirmed in 82% of reports, and preceding illness within 4 weeks of vaccination was identified in 24% of cases.
A nasal spray flu vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing acute respiratory illness in all age groups. The vaccine was found to be particularly effective in preventing natural influenza A (H1N1) infection among children aged 5-9 years during the 2000-2001 epidemic.
Researchers have identified an unusual molecular mechanism that amplifies the disease-causing power of influenza A virus, potentially explaining its lethality in past pandemics. The discovery may lead to better understanding of pathogenesis and identification of new markers for predicting pandemic potential.
University of Wisconsin-Madison experts conduct detailed surveillance on H5 influenza, a deadly strain found in birds that has infected eight people and killed three. The study aims to identify the source of the virus, test for genetic variation between bird and human strains, and determine potential public health risks.