Risk runs high for the next animal-borne pandemic. - 23 Jan 2010  
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Considering that at least 60% of newly emerged infections are transmitted from an animal host, it is only a matter of time before another human illness emerges from a livestock swine flu mutation or perhaps the even deadlier avian virus in poultry birds.

Professor Niels Becker, Director of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at Australian National University explained in a telephone interview with Supreme Master Television.

Prof. Niels Becker – Director of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University (M): Over the last 60 years over 350 newly emerged infections have occurred.

This particular pandemic strain is obviously one that did take off. HIV is one that took off. And most of the time, the host is some sort of animal host.

VOICE: Pigs and birds, in particular, have similar receptors to viruses as humans, which has made swine flu and bird flu transferable from animals to humans in the past. Professor Becker explained how modern poultry farms multiply the risk of viral changes.

Prof. Niels Becker (M): These caged animals where birds are right next to each other all the time provide an enormous incubator of infections. And huge numbers of viruses will be produced, and that is more likely to lead to a mutation.

VOICE: Based on official reports of the swine flu pandemic, which experts have acknowledged are a severe underestimate, the latest global death toll is 28,510 and counting. 

Our thanks, Dr. Becker for helping us understand the risks involved in such new contagions. We are saddened to know of the families affected by these animal-borne diseases, and we pray that communities worldwide turn to the humane and health-protective organic vegan fare.

http://netindian.in/news/2010/01/21/0004968/11-more-swine-flu-deaths-india-toll-rises-1163
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-01/20/c_13144411.htm
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/home/a_h1n1_death_toll_re9597/view
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2055906&Language=en