Dear BTA Holders, Each year a new Human influenza virus tends to circulate around the world in addition to the 'seasonal" strains.
In 2011/2012 influenza season just finishing in the US and Europe the new strain is H3N2v (for variant). It is particulalrly interesting because it combines RNA strands swapped from known Human, Avian (bird) and Swine (pig) influenza strains.
Such strains are called triple re-assortments and are considered likely to be more pathogenic (ie dangerous). The susceptible population appears to be young children who have no cross protection from previous exposure to related historical strains.
One of the concerns is that the existing testing procedures in the US and the EU fail to correctly identify this new strain - instead calling it untypeable, seasonal H3N2 or even influenza negative.
The southern hemisphere (ie Australia, New Zealand, South africa & South America) is next "cab off the rank" as we neter the traditional flu season.
Hopeful it will be low pathogenicity - based on US and EU detections.
Nonetheless influenza in young children is a concern.
Fortunately we have Biota's "Relenza" antiviral for treating clinical cases.
