DENMARK, Copenhagen. Veterinary virologist Prof. Lars Larsen from the University of Copenhagen has warned of the danger of new pandemics that could start in pig farming.
In this context, Larsen recalls the first such pandemic of influenza, which jumped from pigs to humans in Mexico in 2009 and subsequently caused illnesses in humans worldwide. He assumes that this could happen again at any time. There is a real risk that "swine flu 2.0" could be more severe and cause higher mortality than the Corona pandemic, which has been ongoing since 2020. The virologist therefore calls for a faster pace in the development of vaccines against the influenza viruses endemic in pigs, as well as structural and logistical concepts to interrupt possible chains of infection after an outbreak of influenza in pig herds. This also includes the consistent vaccination of people who regularly come into contact with pigs.