.

According to recent updates received from the CDC the novel H1N1 Influenza virus is a genetic

reassortment of four different Influenza strains including swine influenza from North America and

Eurasia, avian gene segments from North America and human influenza gene segments. This

potential genetic combination of swine influenza virus has not been recognised previously among

swine or human isolates from anywhere in the world. Further laboratory testing is ongoing in CDC

and National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, Canada.

In the diagnosed human cases in the US and Mexico, links to pigs are weak or absent for most cases,

suggesting extended person-to-person transmission. There is no evidence of illness in swine at this

time

There are still major question marks surrounding the origin of the different virus’ building blocks,

the disease severity in humans in different locations and countries as well as age groups, and how

easily transmission may be sustained in the various epidemiological and demographic settings

around the world.

FAO considers these latest reports on swine influenza virus (SIV) infections in humans very

worrisome. The novel H1N1 virus can spread around the globe and turn into a pandemic with

devastating consequences. Indications are that the virus has already spread among humans over long

distances affecting several countries. There is no vaccine that specifically protects humans against

this novel swine flu virus. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in

Atlanta, is the seasonal influenza vaccine as routinely applied to humans unlikely to provide

protection. CDC and WHO also report that the virus is susceptible to the newer antivirals oseltamivir

(Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) but not to the older ones, amantadine and rimantadine.

Despite evidence of increased pig and poultry surveillance activities particularly in Europe and

Northern America, there is as yet not intensive enough global surveillance system in place to provide

precise information on the extend and evolution of virus circulation in pigs and poultry around the

world. Following the spread of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in

Asia, Europe and Africa, efforts have been stepped up considerably through the FAO and OIE

reference laboratory network for influenza viruses (OFFLU), but much work remains in order to be

able to monitor worldwide trends and evidence of increased encroachment of domestic animals and

humans by influenza viruses.

FAO EMPRES and the FAO/OIE Crisis Management Centre-Animal Health are closely working

with the network of country, Sub Regional and Regional FAO offices. FAO staff around the world

is requested to remain alert, gather further epidemiologic information, report unusual influenza-like

events in swine, forward specimen to international influenza reference laboratories and respond to

upcoming urgent needs. Coordination and regular update are ongoing with WHO HQs in Geneva,

OIE, WHO/PAHO, CDC, USDA/APHIS, the World Bank, FAO/OIE reference laboratories and with

many other involved partners.

The FAO OIE CMC-AH has been activated to deploy a mission early next week. The proposed

objectives of the mission will be to work with the Veterinary Services in Mexico as well as with the

pig industry and the public health experts to investigate possible links between swine and human

with regard to the recent confirmed and suspected H1N1 human cases and support appropriate

communication at the intersectoral level.

FAO with its partners will try to assist member countries to obtain a comprehensive global picture of

influenza virus circulation in pigs and poultry, including at the human-animal interface. The current

situation calls for stepping up global virus surveillance programmes and efforts to understand the

epidemiology and ecology of influenza viruses in birds, pigs and humans.