A new influenza virus discovered by researchers, including one of Indian-origin, that affects cattle has been officially named Influenza D.
The International Committee of Taxonomy of Virus announced a new genus, Orthomyxovirdae, with a single species, Influenza D virus, because of its distinctness from other influenza types - A, B and C.
Ben Hause from South Dakota State University (SDSU) in the US isolated the virus from a diseased pig in 2011. He later found that cattle were the primary reservoir for influenza D.
This is the first influenza virus identified in cattle, professor Feng Li from SDSU said.
"From a science viewpoint, it is very exciting to work with a brand-new virus," said Li.
The goal is to determine whether influenza D, which has 50 per cent similarity to human influenza C, can cause problems in humans, said Radhey Kaushik, professor and assistant head of the biology and microbiology department at SDSU.
"The virus has not been shown to be pathogenic in humans. No one should be afraid of this," said Kaushik.
The research group showed that Influenza D is spread only through direct contact and proved a guinea pig can be used as an animal model to study the virus.
Influenza D antibodies have been identified in blood samples from sheep and goats, but the virus does not affect poultry.
Studies are underway to compare the virulence among the bovine and swine Influenza D strains and human Influenza C using the guinea pig model.
"If the virus can undergo reassortment in combination with a closely related human influenza virus, it may be able to form a new strain that could pose more of a threat to humans," Kaushik added.
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