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Bulletin No. 20 - Winter 2004
VirologySwine Influenza
LIPATOV AS, GOVORKOVA EA, WEBBY RJ, OZAKI H, PEIRIS M, GUAN Y, POON L, WEBSTER RG
Influenza: emergence and control.
Journal of Virology, 2004, Volume 78, Nº17, 8951-8959
This paper addresses the problem of transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans. Influenza viruses are subjected to a continuous evolution through the acquisition of novel surface antigens by reassortment. New genotypes appears, circulate and sometimes infect humans causing severe respiratory disease and even death. The main features of influenza virus subtypes (H5N1, H9N2, H7N7, H7N2 and H7N3) recently involved in transmission to humans are reviewed. The potential role of pigs as mixing vessels in which viruses of different origins can reassort is mentioned and linked to the emergence of human influenza viruses. As for control, the culling of infected poultry was demonstrated effective and allowed to reduce the likelihood of transmission to humans. The use of vaccines may represent an additional tool to limit interspecies transfer but they are not always available for questions of technical limitations or delay of production. Antiviral drugs such as M2 ion channel blockers and NA inhibitors are also mentioned as an option for reducing interspecies spread of influenza viruses.
