- Researchers in China recently discovered a new influenza strain in pigs that could spark another global pandemic.
- While not an immediate problem, the new strain (“G4 EA H1N1”) has “all the hallmarks” of being able to infect humans.
- The novel strain is similar to the 2009 Swine Flu, but it can grow and multiply in cells that line human airways.
- While flu viruses are constantly evolving, they rarely spark pandemics unless easily transferrable from person-to-person.
