As flu activity in the U.S. continues to decline, researchers at Kansas State University in Manhattan have begun preparing for the next potential virulent strain of flu.
The researchers are collecting samples from diseased pig populations to determine if swine flu has the potential to transmit and be dangerous to humans.
They began their work with pigs because swine flu viruses are constantly changing and mutating, causing concerns that they might mutate to create new proteins never before seen in human populations. The earlier the viruses are discovered, the better, according to Juergen Richt, PhD.
Dr. Richt is a professor of veterinary medicine, director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, and one of the researchers working on the project.
"We hope that we are early enough in discovering these novel swine influenza viruses so that we can isolate and characterize these viruses and alert the respective authorities to control and eradicate them as soon as possible," said Dr. Richt.
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