# 4561
During the last week of February we learned that a sample taken from a pig in a Hong Kong slaughterhouse tested positive for a reassorted influenza virus (see Hong Kong: Swine Flu Reassortment).
This hybrid between a regular swine influenza virus and the human-adapted novel H1N1 virus caused quite a stir at the time, and prompted increased surveillance for additional reassortant viruses.
Viral Reassortment can occur when two viruses infect the same host (pigs are considered prime mixing vessels), swap genetic material, and produce a new, hybrid virus.
Today we get this report out of Hong Kong indicating that, despite increased surveillance, no additional reassorted viruses have been detected in the last few months in Hong Kong.
A hat tip to Ironorehopper on FluTrackers for this link.
Results of influenza virus surveillance in pigs from January to April released
May 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:31
The results of a regular influenza virus surveillance programme conducted by The University of Hong Kong (HKU) at the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse from January to April this year were released today (May 11).
Apart from a sample with gene re-assortment announced earlier, another sample taken from pigs in January tested positive for the human swine influenza (pandemic influenza A H1N1) virus. No gene re-assortment had occurred in the sample concerned and the virus remained genetically similar to the human swine flu viruses regularly found in humans. It was believed that the flu virus had been transmitted from human to pig.
There was no sample with similar findings between February and April 2010.
The sample was taken from pigs imported from the Mainland. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has informed the Mainland authorities and strengthened monitoring of registered farms that supply live pigs to Hong Kong.
A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) said given the wide transmission of the pandemic H1N1 virus in humans, detection of the virus in pigs was not a surprise. It was also expected that positive findings may appear from time to time in HKU's surveillance programme in the future.
He said that the CFS would continue to monitor reports of the HKU's surveillance programme and make announcements on a regular basis.
