Chinese researchers say H1N1 swine flu viruses, which have circulated in pig populations since 1979, have obtained the ability to infect humans and may "pose the highest pandemic threat" among flu viruses currently in the animal population.
China National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory Director Chen Hualan, who led the study, says pigs are considered an important intermediate host for flu viruses entering the human population.
He says current vaccines and preexisting immunity in the human population do not offer enough protection against the H1N1 family of viruses.
The findings have been published in the U.S. journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. (CRIENGLISH.com)
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