Evidence of infection with avian, human, and swine influenzaviruses in pigs in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract The majority of the Egyptian swine populationwas culled in the aftermath of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, butsmall-scale growing remains. We sampled pigs from piggeriesand an abattoir in Cairo. We found virological evidenceof infection with avian H9N2 and H5N1 viruses aswell as human pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. Serologicalevidence suggested previous exposure to avian H5N1 andH9N2, human pandemic H1N1, and swine avian-like andhuman-like viruses. This raises concern about potential reassortmentof influenza viruses in pigs and highlights the needfor better control and prevention of influenza virus infectionin pigs