influenza A H1N1 virus revival - pandemic H1N1/09 virus

• Published in: Infection Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 381 - 389
• Main Authors: Michaelis, M, Doerr, H. W, Cinatl, J. Jr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Munchen Munchen : Urban and Vogel 01.10.2009; Urban and Vogel; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Disease Outbreaks; Family Medicine; General Practice; Humans; Infectious Diseases; Influenza A virus; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - drug effects; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - genetics; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - isolation & purification; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - pathogenicity; Influenza, Human - drug therapy; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - transmission; Influenza, Human - virology; Internal Medicine; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Miscellaneous; Pandemics; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Review; Swine; Vaccines; Viral Proteins; Virulence Factors; Oseltamivir Carboxylate; Oseltamivir; Seasonal Influenza; Influenza Pandemic; Zanamivir; Epidemic; Nosocomial infection; Contagion; Vaccine; Epidemiology; Infection; Prevention; Virus; Treatment; Viral disease; Influenza; Antiviral; Hospital; Hygiene
• ISSN: 0300-8126; 1439-0973
• DOI: 10.1007/s15010-009-9181-5

In April 2009, a novel H1N1 influenza A virus, the so-called pandemic H1N1/09 virus (former designations include swine influenza, novel influenza, swine-origin influenza A [H1N1] virus [S-OIV], Mexican flu, North American Flu) was identified in Mexico. The virus has since spread throughout the world and caused an influenza pandemic as defined by the criteria of the World Health Organization. This represents the first influenza A virus pandemic since the emergence of H3N2 (‘‘Hong Kong'' Flu) in 1968. Vaccine production has started, and vaccines are expected to become available during the course of 2009. Although the pandemic H1N1/09 virus originates from the triple-reassortant swine influenza (H1) virus circulating in North American pigs, it is not epidemic in pigs. Although the H1N1/09 virus pandemic is currently mild, concerns remain that it may become more aggressive during spreading. The distribution of proper information to the public on the status of the H1N1/09 virus pandemic will be important to achieve a broad awareness of the potential risks and the optimum code of behavior during the pandemic. Here, the features of pandemic H1N1/09 virus are discussed within the framework of knowledge gained from previous influenza A virus pandemics.