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Variant Influenza Associated with Live Animal Markets, Minnesota
M J Choi1,2, C A Morin1, J Scheftel1
1Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, MN, USA.
Zoonoses and Public Health
|June 17, 2014
Summary
Variant influenza viruses, originating from swine, can infect humans. Monitoring these viruses and their exposure settings, such as live animal markets, is crucial for detecting potential pandemic threats.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Public Health
- Virology
Background:
- Variant influenza viruses are swine-origin influenza A viruses that can cause human illness.
- Surveillance is essential for identifying novel influenza viruses with pandemic potential.
- Live animal markets are recognized as potential settings for human exposure to swine influenza viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variant influenza A virus infections in humans.
- To characterize exposure settings associated with these infections.
- To assess the risk of novel influenza virus emergence from swine origins.
Main Methods:
- Documenting human cases of variant influenza A virus infections.
- Investigating the epidemiological links between human cases and swine exposure.
- Analyzing the settings where human-swine contact occurred, specifically live animal markets.
Main Results:
- Variant influenza A virus infections were documented in humans in Minnesota.
- These infections were linked to exposure to swine.
- Live animal markets were identified as a key exposure setting.
Conclusions:
- Swine-origin variant influenza A viruses are a cause of human illness.
- Live animal markets in Minnesota are associated with human infections from these viruses.
- Continued surveillance is necessary to monitor for and prevent potential influenza pandemics.
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