What is 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)?
2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization External Web Site Icon (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.
H1N1 Influenza virus image Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.
Some Official sites for more information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/
Flu.Gov
http://www.flu.gov/
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/pages/swineinfluenza.aspx
Riverside County Department of Public Health
http://www.rivcoph.org/
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