Beware of new flu strains: Expert
SINGAPORE – The peak flu season is coming up, with the H3N2 virus likely to be the prevalent strain. But experts said there is a need to be prepared for new strains as the flu virus is ever evolving.
Professor Leo Yee Sin, director of the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said: “The influenza virus can exist or can infect many different types of animals. When these different types of viruses come together in the environment, genetic material of these viruses can be easily shared.
“So, this being a constant evolution of the gene, it reaches a certain point where the virus may have the capability of infecting a human. In other words, an animal species can infect a human and human is susceptible to the infections. Then, we may potentially face a big pandemic.”
To prepare for such a scenario, 86 medical experts from 17 countries attended a workshop on Thursday (Oct 23) organised by Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID).
The aim of the workshop is to strengthen cross-border sharing of influenza data so that earlier and better predictions can be made about the virus’ evolution. Suitable vaccines can then be developed to fight any new strain.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Published: 23 Oct 2014
Category: Health alert, Top Story
