NEW STRAIN OF AVIAN FLU IDENTIFIED IN TAIWAN : H6N1 SURFACES IN TAIWAN

 


Along with the new strain H7N9 which has caused Chinese authorities to implement culls and monitoring on the mainland and the re-surgence of H1N1 in South America, now a third strain of avian flu has surfaced in recent weeks.

In Taiwan, H6N1, has been identified in a 20 year old woman.  This is the absolute first time that that particular strain of avian influenza has been detected in people.  

This is yet another case in which a previously non human strain has crossed the zoonotic barrier.  

Although the woman recovered after treatment with Tamiflu, there is concern that the numerous new strains circulating this year worldwide could combine in a new virus with unknown characteristic. 

No one else has yet been identified as being infected with the virus. 


Source : LiveScience /  6.25.13

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