The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that novel H1N1 virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. However, further study has shown that this new virus is very different from viruses that normally circulate in North American pigs. The novel H1N1 virus has two genes from flu viruses that are common in pigs in Europe and Asia, as well as avian influenza genes and human influenza genes.
For more information, visit
CDC
World Health Organization
Extension Disaster Education Network – Pandemic Influenza Issue Pages
