G4 in China

Waves of coronavirus, a global pandemic have already caused an existential crisis all over the world. Meanwhile, researchers in China exposed a study on G4 Swine Flu Virus in the U.S. journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PANS). The study stated ‘systematic surveillance is a key measure for pre-warning the emergence of the next pandemic influenza.’ 

The study was published based on the observation of samples in China from 2011 to 2018 and this genotype has been found among pigs predominantly since 2016. Testing workers in the swine industry, it is found that nearly 10.4 percentage test positive to G4. It is said that the G4 genotype has descended from the H1N1 virus that caused the flu pandemic in 2009.

The study exclaimed that the virus possesses ‘all essential hallmarks of being highly adapted to infect humans.’ As reported in the Guardian, it is said that 4.4% of the general population has been exposed to this virus indicating it has already transmitted to human species.  Zhao Lijian, Foreign Ministry spokesperson of China, assured to take up necessary steps preventing the spread and outbreak of the virus.