Unknown potential
- The virologist therefore calls for a ban on the import chicken from China, to which the EU has so far but could not bring.
On 1 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported about the new flu virus, suffering from the first three people in eastern China.APAweb
Berlin / Beijing. This rampant in China new flu virus are experts worldwide mystery. "We do not understand why the virus causes this strange infections in humans," now said the German microbiologist Alexander Kekule from Halle. Was known to the scientists that viruses that are particularly aggressive to birds, occasionally jump to humans. The new variant of influenza virus A (H7N9) represents the common assumptions but on the head.
"Here it is that the virus causes almost no symptoms in birds," said Kekule, who heads the German Institute for Biosafety Research (IBS). And because the poultry is not apparent ill, the danger is great that infected chickens, ducks and pigeons are consumed.
And yet something seems troubling. "Due to the genetic analysis, we can say that the virus must have definitely found quite a long time in a human or other mammal, such as a pig," Kekule said. It had adapted so that it could better dock to the human cells in the airways.This obviously leads to severe diseases in humans.
Unknown potential
On 1 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported about the new flu virus, suffering from the first three people in eastern China. Less than a month later, the WHO lists already 24 confirmed deaths and 126 laboratory-confirmed infections caused by A (H7N9).Some Asian countries have tightened their checks at airports.
Professionals face the fearful question whether the new flu virus could have the potential to cause a worldwide pandemic with potentially millions of deaths. There is not a clear answer.
Because in order to trigger a pandemic, a flu virus needs to change so that it spreads easily from person to person. With A (H7N9), experts see this not as a given. According to WHO, there has been no evidence of a "sustained human-to-human" transmission. Nevertheless deemed to be sure that people infected with the virus who had no contact with birds."Therefore, a transmission by another mammal, or rather by other people very likely," concludes Kekule.
But the virologists to view A (H7N9) still far from being classified as a horror virus. "The virus would definitely still go through some genetic changes before it would be able to trigger a pandemic." Positive leads to the expert that was not previously observed that H7 viruses spread in humans.
Severe pneumonia
Susanne also glassmakers from the German Robert Koch Institute (RKI) emphasized that a bird influenza virus can genetically change and adapt so that it will be transmitted from person to person, do not let yourself be predicted.
Currently, A (H7N9) resembles more the a few years ago occurred avian influenza virus A (H5N1), which was also performed in Europe in poultry farms to slaughter entire herds.Worldwide have died from bird flu since 2003, more than 370 people. Patients also suffer from the new flu severe pneumonia.
The previously reported infections are limited mainly to the metropolitan areas of Shanghai and Beijing, as well as five other Chinese provinces. But also in Taiwan, the disease occurred at a business man who had been in China. If and when the new influenza to Europe and Germany spill is unclear. "Individuals infected in China and Europe traveling cases can not be excluded," says RKI spokeswoman glassmakers.
Kekule warns, just because the virus is highly unusual, should apply extra care. The virologist therefore calls for a ban on the import chicken from China, to which the EU has so far but could not bring. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) advises travelers from China, of going to markets with animals, especially poultry markets.The direct contact with animals should be taboo. The rules of hygiene, such as frequent and thorough hand waxes are strictly adhered to. Kekule also urged to eat only well-cooked meat. http://www.wienerzeitung.at/themen_channel/wissen/forschung/542990_Neue-Vogelgrippe-gibt-Wissenschaftern-Raetsel-auf.html