emerging new virus
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8/6/2019 Emerging New Virus
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IMVS Call Centre Metropolitan–8222 3000 IMVS Newsletter Number 50 Winter 2003
Strong evidence exists that pigs are the
source for new mammalian influenza A
reassortants and subsequent spread to
humans. The practice of closely inte-
grated farming of poultry and pigs in
China is one of the strong contributors
to potential new emerging strains of
influenza A.
Other emerging viruses, for example
Rift Valley fever virus from East Africa,
have resulted from the increase in
construction of large dams and
irrigation systems driven by
increased agriculture.
This mosquito-borne
virus, is like many
other arboviruses, an
emerging virus.
The increased use of
open water storage systems
for consumption or flood irrigations of
rice fields, has led to increased breeding
of mosquitoes and is one of the major
contributors to emerging Dengue and
Japanese Encephalitis viruses in Asia.
The high population densities of many
Asian countries has further contributed
to the ease of transmission of these
viruses by mosquitoes and caused severe
morbidity and mortality throughout
Asia. Dengue has also spread to the
Americas as a result of increased trade
and travel. The arboviruses have thus
found a new host range by using
humans as a vehicle for its spread.
Preliminary findings
have implicated the
civet cat (a member
of the squirrel
family) as a likely
reservoir for the SARS
coronavirus. Close contacts,
perhaps with farming of this
animal for human consumption
or extraction of its anal glands for
the manufacture of perfume may have
lead to this emergence. If subsequently
confirmed, this provides another
example of how emerging viruses may
arise from human contacts/invasion of
new animal territories.
The spread of HIV, an emergent virus
first recognised in 1981, has been
assisted by increased social interactions
– sexual behaviour and exchange of
infected needles amongst drug abusers.
in the news
Spinal research awardFor the third time IMVS
researchers have been
awarded the world’s most
prestigious prize for
spinal research by the
International Society forthe Study of Lumbar
Spine.
The Advertiser (7th May
2003) reported that
studies at the IMVS
Adelaide Centre for
Spinal Research
involved mapping
nerves in the spine.
Researchers found
that discs normally
have only a meagresupply of nerves
distributed around
their periphery but may
acquire additional nerves
following damage to the
outer regions. These findings
suggest that back pain
cannot originate from the
central region of the disc because
of the lack of a nerve supply
essential for carrying the sensation.
The study concluded that treatmentof disc pain should focus on the
outer region of the disc. This work
is expected to lead to improved
treatments for back pain.
The experimental work was a
collaborative effort involving the
IMVS, RAH and University of
Adelaide.
Continued from page 9
There are now more than 40 million
people infected with this virus world-
wide. With its ability to integrate in
the host chromosome and thereby
contribute to vertical, as well as
horizontal transmission, the AIDS
virus has used humans as vectors for
its global spread.
What can we do? We cannot predict when new emerging
viruses will cause such sudden out-
breaks like SARS, influenza pandemics,
AIDS, etc. The provision and use of
rapid virus detection/
identification methods
are essential for
patient management,public health
surveillance and control
measures. The recent SARS outbreak
has clearly shown the additional severe
impact on business and trade, as well
as the infinite cost of loss of human
lives should we not be sufficiently
prompt in recognising, detecting,
identifying and controlling these
outbreaks.
These preventative approaches require
multi-disciplinary interactions betweenthe clinicians, laboratory, public health
personnel, basic research and govern-
ments. Vaccines have proved effective
in the prevention and control of many
viral infections, e.g. influenza, measles,
polio, smallpox, etc. However, the
successful development and intro-
duction of vaccines requires
more research into under-
standing of the basic
biology of the specific
virus and its interactions
with the host.
The dilemma of emerging
viruses provides yet another
example of the intimate integration of
humans with the whole planetary
environment, a fact easily overlooked
in our highly urbanised cities.♦
10
Did youknow
Total SARS cases
to July 3rd 8439,
deaths 812.
Did youknow
Most emergent
viruses are
zoonotic.