New Swine Flu Virus Discovered in China: "Pandemic Potential"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] A study has revealed the discovery of a novel swine flu virus in China. Amid the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), concerns have been raised about the potential for a pandemic caused by this new virus.

On the 29th (local time), according to AFP and BBC, scientists from Chinese universities and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDCP) published a paper containing these findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). This virus, belonging to the novel influenza (H1N1) lineage, is transmitted by pigs but is also known to infect humans. The virus has been named 'G4.'

The research team expressed concern that if this virus undergoes mutations that facilitate human-to-human transmission, it could lead to a pandemic. They pointed out that since the virus is newly discovered, humans have almost no immunity against it, and seasonal flu antibodies do not provide protection against this virus. The researchers stated that this virus "possesses all the essential characteristics required for human infection," similar to other viruses that have caused pandemics.

The researchers collected 30,000 samples from pigs at slaughterhouses and animal hospitals across 10 provinces in China from 2011 to 2018, isolating 179 swine flu viruses. The results showed that most of the newly discovered viruses had already been widely circulating among pigs since 2016.

In virus experiments using ferrets (a type of weasel) that exhibit infection symptoms similar to humans, the novel virus caused more severe symptoms than other viruses, was highly contagious, and self-replicated in human cells. Antibody tests conducted on workers at pig farms revealed that 10.4% of the total workforce had already been infected with the virus.

The research team emphasized that although there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of G4, it is necessary to conduct follow-up monitoring of those working in pig farming-related occupations.