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Study: New influenza viruses could be transmitted from dogs to humans
A long-term study indicates that two influenza strains can mix and form a new influenza virus transmitted by dogs. Viruses could also be transmitted from animals to humans.
New strain of influenza
Last year, a study by American scientists was published in the journal "mBio", indicating a possible transmission of the canine flu virus to humans. South Korean researchers have announced that a new flu strain could be pbaded on to humans by pets, such as dogs.
Pathogens could also be dangerous for humans
The results of a 10-year study indicate that two influenza strains can mix and form a new, dangerous strain of influenza that is transmitted among other things by dogs, the Microbiology Society said in a statement.
It is also said that as early as the 2000s, the H3N2 bird flu virus was pbaded on to dogs and developed into the Canine Influenza Virus (CIV).
The research of the team around the Dr. med. The Daesub Song University of Korea in Seoul (South Korea) has shown that the H3N2-CIV virus can form a new influenza virus with the H1N1 / 2009 swine flu virus.
This pathogen called CIVmv could also be dangerous for humans.
Extremely fast distribution possible
The emergence of new strains of influenza is worrisome. As stated in the statement of the "Microbiology Society", infected persons have never been in contact with a virus of this type, which means that they are not immune to disease.
If the virus could be transmitted from animals to humans, it could spread extremely fast in the population.
South Korean scientists wanted to know how important the new tribe's potential is to humans.
To find out, they also conducted research on ferrets because the receptors on the surface of influenza viruses are very similar in these animals and in humans.
Therefore, ferrets are considered a reliable experimental model for risk badessment.
Typical symptoms of respiratory diseases
The researchers found in their experiments that dogs and ferrets infected with the new strain CIVmv exhibited typical symptoms of respiratory diseases.
The animals suffered from constipation, shortness of breath, coughing, tearing, sneezing, lethargy and loss of appetite.
In addition, it was found that the new pathogen spread faster in ferrets than other influenza viruses and replicated rapidly.
According to the authors of the study, the risk of human infection by this strain of pathogens could be much greater than with previous avian influenza and canine flu viruses.
Enhanced surveillance of pets
Dr. Daesub Song called for increased surveillance of dogs and other domestic animals as they could be a source of new strains of human influenza.
"Until now, dogs have been neglected in influenza research as hosts of new strains," the researchers said.
However, not only dogs are considered emitters. In this 10-year study, scientists discovered that cats were also susceptible to the virus.
Dr. Song investigated an IVC outbreak in a shelter where 100% of the cats were infected and 40% died.
The development of susceptibility in cats is a concern because it shows that CIV can spread among different species.
For example, since humans enter dogs and cats much more often than hens or pigs, new strains could emerge from furry animals that infect humans and could even one day be pbaded from person to person. much bigger.
"Existing canine influenza viruses could mix or reform with human influenza viruses and lead to new viruses, which could lead to unique pandemics," Dr. Song said.
Development of a vaccine
Other experts, however, are a little less concerned. Animal influenza expert Dr. Janet Daly of the University of Nottingham, according to a contribution from the portal "Tech Times", there is little chance that dogs transmit a virus to humans.
But it's always a possibility. "We need to be aware of cases where a dog and its owner have flu-like symptoms," said Daly.
Korean researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against the strain CIVmv, but this is very difficult because of the high mutation rate. (Ad)
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