Pandemic Potential of Influenza Viruses:
Role of Swine as Mixing Vessel
Abstract
Avian influenza has caused havoc in the poultry industry worldwide. Millions of birds have been culled to control the disease. Human cases of bird flu have also been reported in certain places. There are no reports of human–human transmission of avian Influenza virus. The real danger is the possibility of mutation of avian Influenza to infect humans and carrying out effective human–human transmission. Swine has the receptors for both human and avian Influenza viruses. Previous Influenza pandemics in humans have taken place due to the mixed strain of avian and swine Influenza Therefore, there is every possibility that avian Influenza virus can be mutated in Swine population and develop into a pandemic strain.
Keywords: Influenza virus; Pandemics; Avian; Swine; Receptors; Antigenic shift
Authors : *Md.Mudassar Chanda1, D.Hemadri1, Jagannadham Challa2 and Prabhudas K1
* For Correspondence : E mail : chandamudassar@gmail.com
