A new strain of flu that has the potential to become a pandemic has been identified in China by scientists. According to reports, the flu which emerged recently is carried pigs but can infect humans. The researchers are concerned that it could mutate further so that it can spread easily from person to person, and trigger a global outbreak. While it is not an immediate problem, possibilities are bound that it has “all the hallmarks” of being highly adapted to infect humans and require close monitoring. As it is new, people will have little or no immunity to the virus. In the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists are of the view that measures to control the virus in pigs, and close monitoring of swine industry workers should be swiftly implemented.
