WHO calls for 'close' watch on flu in farmers, animals
Geneva: The World Health Organisation on Friday
called for close monitoring of farm workers and animals for
influenza A viruses, following recent cases in a wider range
of creatures than pigs.
Although the WHO stressed that the cases were isolated
and had no impact on the way the A(H1N1) swine flu pandemic
evolved in humans, it said recent findings may indicate
greater potential for flu viruses to mix and mutate.
Pigs have traditionally acted as virtual mixing vessels
for different flu viruses, allowing them to mutate into new
forms that could be passed to humans.
"These recent findings further suggest that influenza A
viruses in animals and humans increasingly behave like a pool
of genes circulating among multiple hosts, and that the
potential exists for novel influenza viruses to be generated
in animals other than swine," the WHO said in a briefing note.
"This situation reinforces the need for close monitoring
and close collaboration between public health and veterinary
authorities," it added.
"When influenza infections are detected in farmed
animals, WHO recommends monitoring of farm workers for signs
of respiratory illness, and testing for H1N1 infection should
such signs appear."
The UN health agency emphasised that extensive tests by
laboratories had not detected signs that the A(H1N1) pandemic
virus had mutated to a more virulent form.
Bureau Report