RVC highlights pandemic risks posed by evolving swine flu viruses

Although swine flu is widespread in pig farming, often affecting an estimated 50% of UK production pigs, human cases remain rare. However, the 2009 pandemic proved that swine-origin flu viruses can cross into human populations with devastating effects.

Additionally, humans can transmit flu to pigs, introducing new strains and complicating control efforts. Therefore, the need for vigilance and preparedness is critical, RVC explained.

The collaborative study – which is one of the most comprehensive antigenic studies of European swine flu viruses to date – examined swine flu virus data collected across Europe between 2010 and 2020. The study also involved testing the immune responses of human populations to a range of swine flu variants.

Working alongside European partners, teams in the USA and Taiwan, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the RVC led the data analysis to better understand the risks these viruses pose.

The team studied available genetic data from repositories to analyse the diversity of viruses circulating in pigs. Certain viruses were then tested against strains used in pig vaccines and candidate vaccine viruses available for pandemic preparedness to see how closely each of the viruses were related antigenically.

Select viruses were also tested against human serum from different international cohorts to determine how well populations would recognise these different swine flus and therefore understand how effective population immunity would be, should one of these variants emerge.

‘Protecting human health begins with investing in animal health’

Key findings from the data revealed extensive variation in circulating swine influenza viruses, with implications for vaccine updates in both pigs and pandemic preparedness. The team also found that evolving strains could reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines, necessitating ongoing antigenic characterisation and monitoring.

Additionally, variable human immunity to swine flu variants was shown, indicating that some strains could pose serious pandemic threats and potentially severe consequences if transmitted to humans. In the instance a variant were to spread from pigs to humans, early knowledge of its characteristics would be key in helping to develop faster responses with targeted vaccines.

The researchers explained that these results underscore a significant emphasis on continually updating pig vaccines and pandemic preparedness plans and collaborating internationally across borders to better monitor and mitigate against disease evolution and spread. This includes reinforcing the vital role of biosecurity and surveillance.

Amelia Coggon, PhD student at the RVC, said: “Our study has high relevance to pandemic preparedness and swine flu vaccination. By better monitoring how these viruses evolve, we can ensure vaccines used in pigs remain effective, reducing production losses as well as reducing the risk of human infection.

“It also highlights the critical role of international collaboration and ongoing surveillance for zoonotic diseases. Just because we stop looking, it doesn’t mean these viruses disappear. Protecting human health begins with investing in animal health, and that means sustained, cross-sector funding – especially for diseases with pandemic potential.”

Katy Shaw Saliba, co-author of the paper and formerly of the JHCEIRS project, added: “Here, the diversity of the influenza virus in European swine and its serological cross-protection with human antisera was quantified, allowing for an understanding of which viruses could pose greater risk for animal and human health. The findings from this paper highlight the value of international research collaborations in identifying influenza virus risk.”

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