Don’t look now, but there appears to be the threat of another pandemic on the horizon that could bring the world more problems.
This pandemic, according to researchers in China, involves influenza strains that have been discovered in pigs and studied for some four years. These strains, they fear, could flare up into an easily contagious major flu virus’
“This is not an urgent risk of doom,” one scientists says, “but it is something serious enough that we keep our eyes on.”
The National Academy of Sciences has published the researcher’s findings. The researchers have labeled the strains G4. They write that the G4 viruses may contain genes seen in the last flu virus that went pandemic before the emergence of COVID-19.
“It’s scary,” another scientist said. “That pandemic before COVID-19 had a strain of H1N1 flu that girdled the globe in 2009 and 2010.” The scientist said around 200,000 people lost their lives.
Scientists View Influenza Viruses as Relentless
All the critical characteristics of a prospective pandemic virus are in G4 viruses,” the researchers write in their findings. They stress that influenza viruses are a relentless source of pandemics because they possess the ability to change and spread between different species.
A flu virus that begins in birds can move to pigs and then migrate to farm workers, one researcher explained. He said as the virus moves along, it gathers genes that are foreign to our immune system and easily transmittable among humans..
“When that unfortunate blend of factors occur, we can be facing a pandemic of flu,” a researcher said.
What is more frightening about the G4 viruses is that these viruses appear to be presently in the proper order, set to erupt into a pandemic.
One scientists paints a brighter picture and says it is crucial to know that potential pandemic strains of flu so many tines sputter into oblivion, never changing into something that can spread between people. This scientist’s optimism is based on blood testing results.
“I can see no evidence here that tells me that these viruses have spilled out into the general public,” the scientist said. He suggested that the spreading from animals to humans, not humans to humans.
Infections May Not Be Cause of Disease, One Researcher Believes
“Right now,” the scientist said, “we just don’t have any reason to say if human infections of G4 influenza cause a disease of the serious nature.”
Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University, said the G4 virus is worth watching but believes no evidence is apparent that indicates it will cause an imminent pandemic.
Rasmussen stresses that the recent findings, assuming they are backed up with additional research, should not be dismissed as a minor concern. The virologist notes that pandemic diseases, as the world has so soberly learned this year, are just about impossible to halt once they gain momentum and start spreading between humans.
So scientists need an early warning system, Rasmussen says. Early warning systems are essential for citing and identifying possible globe-threatening infectious agents before they surface from out of nowhere.
Effective Flu Virus Vaccines Can Be Produced in a Brief Time
“That’s particularly the key to flu viruses,” Rasmussen said. “Unlike with COVID-19, we have the capability and resources at hand to produce relatively effective flu vaccines in a brief time that normally provide some protection.”
Rasmussen believes it is clear that there will be other pandemics in the future to haunt the world’s populace.
“This new study is yet another staunch reminder that the one most essential thing we can do to guard public health is to prepare for the new emerging viruses, whatever they may be,” the virologist said. “That includes flu viruses like this one just revealed , as well as other viruses that have the potential of infecting people and causing disease,” Rasmussen said.
All the researchers and scientists in the world still know what the bottom line is. The bottom line is that there is still a serious pandemic sweeping the world today in COVID-19.
This coronavirus remains a clear and present danger and until it is defeated, the average person will have little concern with studies centered on relatively unknown, unannounced pandemic threats.
