# 3604
I don’t think anyone really knows how likely it is that we will see a reassortment between the deadly H5N1 virus and the novel H1N1 virus sparking the current pandemic.
About all we know is that is is possible.
When two different flu viruses infect the same host simultaneously, is is possible for them to swap genetic material and produce a hybrid virus.
This is called reassortment, or antigenic shift.
In order for this new virus to become a problem, however, it must be biologically `fit’. It must reproduce efficiently, and transmit on to other hosts.
Most reassortments are evolutionary dead-ends. But every once in awhile, we get a new, `fit’ virus that takes off. Which is exactly how the current swine flu virus came to be.
It is a reassortment of swine, human, and avian viruses.
This report from KUNA, the Kuwaiti News Service.
Egypt fears looming flu combination
Health 8/9/2009 5:39:00 PM
By Mohammed Hassan (with photos) CAIRO, Aug 9 (KUNA) --
Egyptian health authorities are concerned over a risk that the H1N1, which is commonly referred to as swine flu, and the much deadlier H5N1 avian flu virus could combine with seasonal human influenza.
Speaking to KUNA, Egyptian Minister of Health Hatem Al-Gabali said the bird and swine flu pose the same source of danger to human health, warning against potential mixed human cases.
He also cautioned that there are several strains of swine flu, just like seasonal influenza, possible the most serious of which is the new flu virus that combines swine, avian and human flu.
Therefore, he urged all citizens to be cautious and obey preventive measures in a serious manner given that avian flu has become endemic in Egypt.
He said Egypt had reported a total of 82 avian flu human cases since the virus outbreak in the country, including 27 death cases, which is the highest rate in the world.
The Egyptian government has set an effective preventive plan to curb the disease ahead of the school year, which would start as scheduled on September 26, with the first class week to be allocated for teaching schoolchildren how to prevent infection.
As many as 329 swine flu cases have been detected in Egypt so far, with only one death case, while 236 have recovered, and the remaining cases are still receiving medication at hospital.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had announced that the H1N1 virus was stable and there was no sign of it mixing with avian flu or other influenza viruses.
However, it warned that the influenza virus was highly unpredictable and had great potential for mutation. (end) bna.mt KUNA 091739 Aug 09NNNN
