[ad_1]
Attention pet owners: A new study found that pets, such as dogs and ferrets, could carry a new strain of the flu virus. The virus can potentially spread quickly if it is not prevented. ( Martin Astley | Flickr )
Dogs and other pets, such as ferrets, could carry several types of deadly flu viruses, according to a new study in Korea.
Humans and animals are generally able to carry viruses, bacteria and fungi, but a scientist from Korea University has called for stricter surveillance of dogs and other pets because they could carry strains of the human flu.
"Until now, dogs were considered neglected hosts in the field of influenza research," said Dr. Daesub Song, badociate professor at the Korea University. Song explained that after the first report of interspecific transmission, dogs should be monitored for surveillance purposes.
Dogs and ferrets carry strain of influenza
In a 10-year study, Song discovered that several cases of viruses that had crossed the host barrier, which was an animal, had been recorded.
Specifically, the H3N2 bird flu has been transmitted by dogs and has developed to become the Canine Influenza Virus (CIV). Such a case was discovered in a dog seven years ago.
In his research, Song said the CIV H3N2 virus could combine with the H1N1 / 2009 virus to form a new virus called CIVmv. The H1N1 / 2009 virus is known to have caused the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic.
The emergence of a new virus is worrying, Song said. As this is a new virus, those who come in contact with it at first contact will not be immune. If the virus were transmitted from dog to human, it could potentially spread quickly to the population.
In the study, Song and colleagues tested the CIVmv strain in ferrets and found that since ferrets and humans have similar influenza receptors, the virus can spread rapidly.
For this reason, ferrets are considered the most reliable model for predicting and badessing the risk of human influenza viruses. Song explained that the virus spreads faster among ferrets than other influenza viruses.
Song found that dogs and ferrets infected with CIVmv strains had respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing, congestion, runny eyes, coughing, lethargy, sneezing, and loss of blood. appetite.
Is it a "deadly" virus?
Some experts say that dogs can spread the flu to humans just by sneezing, although others think that the virus is not deadly.
Dr. Janet Daly of the University of Nottingham, a specialist in animal flu, said that the chances of dogs transmitting a canine virus to humans are slim, but this remains a possibility.
"We need to keep an eye on the occasions when a dog and its owner have flu-like symptoms," said Daly.
The CIVmv virus not only affects dogs and ferrets, but also cats, revealed the study. Song investigated an outbreak in an animal shelter, where 100% of the cats were infected and 40% of them died.
The development of the virus in cats is also worrisome as it means that CIV can spread to different animal species. This is the reason why researchers worry about the virus because it can be pbaded on to pets, who are very close to humans. The potential risk of developing a new strain is high, the researchers said.
Will there be a vaccine?
Song and his colleagues are trying to develop a vaccine against the strain CIVmv, but because of the high number of mutations, such vaccines are still very difficult to develop.
Martin Astley | Flickr
Ⓒ 2018 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[ad_2]
Source link
