Microbiologists from the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) Yogyakarta, Prof.. Widya Asmara said, the virus causes swine flu H1N1 that is currently developed and caused outbreaks in Mexico, is a new virus.
“The virus then was called the H1N1 virus, but actually the result of genetic mixing of several influenza viruses,” he said.
He said, before H1N1 virus is endemic in swine and human populations, but the impact is not as fierce as the H1N1 virus currently developing.
“The virus is known as the classical H1N1 viruses, and common influenza-like symptoms, but after six days of direct patient usually recovers,” said Professor of Microbiology Faculty of Public Health (FKM) the UGM.
Meanwhile, he said, the virus H1N1 that is currently developing into a new virus outbreak, although not entirely new for the combined results of the genetic variety of viruses, including influenza virus American, Eurasian influenza virus, and avian influenza viruses.
According to him, H1N1 virus that causes swine flu epidemic in pigs was not, but instead become an epidemic in humans.
“Because, as happened in Mexico, an outbreak of swine flu appeared without prior similar outbreaks that plague pig farm there,” he said.
In other words, an outbreak of the virus were not found in pig farms, so until now the presence of pigs on the farm do not need to worry about, especially in Indonesia, he added.
He said that it has the potential swine flu spread through human big, so to watch out for is people who contracted the virus.
“If there are people who are infected, can potentially spread it to other humans, or pass it on pigs,” he said.
If pigs are infected, the virus may spread even greater, as in the case of bird flu.
“Because, the action taken when it was too late,” he said.
Therefore, he warned, the government should endeavor to prevent the entry of swine flu virus to Indonesia and stay alert even though the virus has not yet entered.
In addition, the community (consumed higher pork, red) should also be given the understanding that the pigs in Indonesia is still feasible consumption because the virus is not H1N1.
“What’s more, Indonesia is also not import pork from abroad, but even other countries exporting pork, such as to Singapore,” he said.
