THE HUMAN QUESTION #3830
What is the scientific name for the swine influenza which first started spreading fear in 2009?
Type A - H1N1
Explanation
Swine influenza is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine influenza is of influenza type A, and there are four known virus subtypes - H1N1, H1N2, H2N1, H3N1, H3N2. It can be transmitted to humans, but until recently, this had only happened for people with regular exposure to pigs. In April 2009, however, something new happened as, for the first time, a swine influenza virus was transmitted directly from humans to humans. A pandemic was declared by WHO on 11 June 2009. The 2005-2006 avian flu pandemic was of the subtype H5N1.
Statistics
Answer time 0s (0s). 55% have previously answered correct on this question. The question was created 2009-05-01.