The recent identification of a new strain of the Swine Flu virus, known as G4 EA H1N1 or simply G4, has raised concerns among scientists. This new strain has started to infect pigs in China and has potential to trigger a pandemic. The characteristics and nature of this virus necessitate increased vigilance and improved disease surveillance mechanisms at both regional and global levels.
The Risk Posed by G4 EA H1N1
The G4 strain is now under scrutiny due to its efficient replication in human airway paths. Although it has infected a few people, it hasn’t yet manifested any illnesses. Alarmingly, humans lack inherent immunity to this new strain, making it similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Therefore, closer monitoring of people who could potentially contract this virus is essential.
The Role of Regional Disease Surveillance
Most nations have their local disease surveillance structures to monitor and track emerging diseases. These systems are crucial in assessing how much risk a specific pathogen poses to a community, using case patterns. They also warn of possible threats from such pathogens. In India, this role falls to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP). The IDSP focuses on maintaining decentralized laboratory-based and IT-enabled disease surveillance systems for diseases prone to cause epidemics. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched this initiative in 2004 with support from the World Bank. Studying a pathogen closely can provide valuable insights into its transmission dynamics and behavior.
Global Level Surveillance and Cooperation
Sharing country-specific health alerts on a global network is necessary to preemptively warn other nations at equal risk before an outbreak reaches their territories. The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), is one such platform. GOARN utilizes scientific predictions based on global data about diseases to provide these vital alerts.
GOARN is a technical cooperation comprising over 250 technical institutions and networks across the world, including medical and surveillance initiatives, regional technical networks, laboratories, and United Nations organizations like UNICEF and UNHCR. Its South East Asia regional office is located in New Delhi, India.
The primary goal of GOARN is to offer technical support to WHO Member States experiencing public health emergencies. Such crises could be due to various threats, including disease outbreaks, food safety issues, chemical toxins, zoonotic diseases, and natural or manmade disasters. Through concerted efforts of regional and global surveillance networks, the world can prepare for potential health threats such as the emergent G4 strain.
