Reuters - 'PIGS at risk from PEOPLE as new flu spreads'

Pigs at risk from people as new flu spreads

LONDON (Reuters) - There is a growing risk that pigs will catch the new H1N1 flu strain -- commonly known as swine flu -- from humans, German researchers said on Thursday.

Widespread transmission from people to pigs could mix up virus strains further, leading to unpredictable changes in the disease.

There have already been a handful of suspected cases of humans passing the current pandemic H1N1 virus to swine. The latest German research confirms it is infectious to pigs and can spread rapidly.

Oh but there is some good news:

Encouragingly, though, while the virus spread quickly among the pigs, it did not spread to five chickens housed with them.

Add this to the 'pig ebola' also being reported on Reuters, I'm starting to think they've got it in for our swine friends.





[edit on 9-7-2009 by kiwifoot]

reply to post by kiwifoot


Just in case reuters isn't that reliable for you:

Humans May Give Swine Flu To Pigs In New Twist To Pandemic