Persistence of Hong Kong influenza virus variants in pigs

The A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) influenza virus which has not been isolated from man for several years, was recently isolated from pigs in Hong Kong. Influenza viruses similar to A/Victoria/3/75, which are currently circulating in man, were also isolated from pigs. Both above-mentioned viruses could be transmitted readily from pig to pig in experimental studies. The isolation of influenza viruses similar to A/Hong Kong/68 from pigs in 1976 suggests that pigs may serve as a potential reservoir for future human pandemics as well as a possible source of genetic information for recombination between human and porcine strains of influenza virus.