Avian flu could repeat the Spanish flu scenario

Avian flu could repeat the Spanish flu scenario
Avian flu could repeat the Spanish flu scenario
Anonim

Avian flu may repeat the scenario in which the "Spanish flu" developed. However, this is still a very rare option. This was stated by Sergei Voznesensky, Associate Professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the RUDN University.

According to the infectious disease specialist, there are a huge number of different influenza viruses in the world, but only two of them are pathogenic for humans. The rest circulate in other species.

He stressed that the danger is reassortment (that is, the mixing of genetic material): human and avian viruses enter the same cell, as a result of which a new virus appears, which no person has ever had. In this case, we get a "Spanish flu" scenario.

"Does this happen in real life? Yes, it does. The frequency of such occurrence is once every 30-40-50 years," Voznesensky told RIA Novosti.

Therefore, of course, there should be vigilance, but in Russia there is a clear structure for the treatment of all new detected strains, centers for control over the variability of influenza are working.

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