Virus hybridization could cause pandemic bird flu

[beast]

The swapping of genetic material between the avian flu (H5N1) and seasonal human flu strains, like H1N1, has to potential to create a new hybrid pandemic flu strain. UW-Madison virologist, Yoshihiro Kawaoka was lead author of the study  published online in February 22nd issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Laboratory experiments in mice showed that the avian flu (H5N1) was converted into a pandemic form by a gene segment from H3N2, a seasonal human flu virus. This is first virus generated in a laboratory study that was more virulent than its parent strains. "H5N1 virus has never acquired the ability to transmit among humans, which is why we haven't had a pandemic. The worry is that the pandemic H1N1 virus may provide that nature in the background of this highly pathogenic H5N1 virus," says Kawaoka.


Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-30836-Madison-Science-News-Examiner~y2010m2d25-Virus-hybridization-could-cause-pandemic-bird-flu