Is Swine Flu related to bird (avian) flu?
The current Swine Flu strain also has avian flu components, but they are not from the deadly Bird Flu strain. Typical strains of Bird Flu are very unlikely to jump to humans. In addition to Swine Flu, Bird Flu and human seasonal flu viruses can infect pigs. The virulent H3N2 Influenza virus subtype is thought to have come from pigs and it went on to infect humans. Interestingly, it is possible for pigs to simultaneously be infected with more than one flu virus. When this happens the genes of the viruses have the opportunity to mingle. A reassortant virus is created when different flu subtypes mix. These are often dangerous new viruses with symptoms of both original strains.
