China Warns of Swine Flu 2.0 Virus Known as G4 EA H1N1

Chines scientists are ringing alarm bells about a new flu strain. The new strain is a mutation from an influenza virus found in pigs, but can also infect humans. The concern is that with further mutation it could easily spread from person to person, creating a risk of global outbreak.

Academics call the new virus G4 EA H1N1. It was first discovered in China among people who work in pig slaughterhouses or elsewhere in the swine industry. This new strain is not covered by any modern flu vaccines. So far, the threat has not been large but researchers say the virus can grow and multiply in human airways.

A study published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences details the new G4 strain. The study describes the new virus as a blend of 3 prior strain: one from European and Asian birds, the 2009 Swine Flu, and a North American H1N1 strain found in birds, humans, and pigs.

This particular strain is one for concern. It’s core genetics come from an avian influenza that humans have poor immunity against. Disease and health organizations around the world must work together to monitor and react to this threat.

The China Agriculture University analyzed around 30,000 nasal swabs taken from pigs at slaughterhouses. The samples came from across 10 provinces in China. Collected between 2011 and 2018, the swabs contained large amounts of the G4 virus.

In 2009 the swine flu outbreak began in Mexico, but ended up being less deadly than initially feared. Once it entered the human population, many elderly were found to have immunity. The swine flu, now formally known as A/H1N1pdm09 is covered by the flu vaccine.

The first paper to begin the large study says the swine flu genes within G4 “may promote the virus adaptation” putting humans at risk. The paper is called Sun Honglei and it continued “It’s necessary to strengthen the surveillance.”

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